New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08

the Judges There he drew himself up erect
brought his right hand sharply to the peak oil
his KEPT. or military cap. giving the miii'ary
salute in fashion which showed that years OF
Incarceration on Devils Island and terrible an
gu,sh OF body and mind had not impaired MS
soldierly instinct and bearing. The prisoner
then removed his kept and took the seat placed
for him. facing his judges. just in front OF his
counsels table and with his back to the audi
ence Rehind him sat n gendarme holding n
sheathed sabre in his hand Dreyfus. In a new
uniform Of a captain OF artillery. dark blue with
red facings ixedly regarded the judges. Win
immovable features and without Sitting mana
or foot, scarcely even moving his head. during
the whole course OF the proceedings. except
when he entered and left the courtroom.
THE EXAMINATION BEGINS.
After the formal proceedings. which occupied
a couple OF hours. Colonel Jouaust began the
examination OF Dreyfus respecting the famous
bordereau. and what Dreyfus did with us con-
tents or could have known Of them
When Dreyfus. wearing glasses. rose from his
seat for examination. he stood erect hoidlne MS
KEPT in his hand. before him. He looked Colonel
Jouaust straight in the face during the whole
interrogatory.
ut appears from the documents just read
that YOU are accused OF having brought about
Vaccinations or held relations with foreign
Power, or one or more OF its agents, IN order 70
nrocure for IT means. by delivering 1t docu-
ments indicated in the discriminating pordereau'
TO commit hostilities or undertake war against
France l notify to you that you VIII be al
lowed to state in the Of these proceed
70 IA
your defence"
Dreyfus replied with vehement declaration
of his innocence. repeating several umes' L
am Innocent in a voice which qulVereo
with emotion. The agonized manner In which
he uttered his protestations OF innocence mao
most painful effect. and must have evoked the
sympathy even OF his most inveterate enemies
DREYFUs's PROMPT ANSWERS.
The prisoner grew more composed as the ex-
animation proceeded, answering every question
without moments hesitation
The acoustics Of the courtroom were aboml-
nable. only those within few feet OF the judges
being able to follow the examination closely
Even M. Labor who was seated behind Drey-
fms within three yards OF him. held his hand 10
his ear in order to catch the questions and an
swers.
Colonel Jouaust submitted Dreyfus to rigor-
ous examination. more in the style Of prose-
cutting counsel than a Judge. and made gestures
Of ,rnpatience at some direct denials which
Drevfus gave repeatedly to the Judges ques-
tions The prisoners voice resounded frequent
" through the courtroom as he theoretically
REPLIED No my Colonel" or Never! Never"
to questions put TO him
~ Colonel
dressed in deep mourning. was present in
court. and replied 10 her name In the rollcall
OF witnesses.
After the Court had decided not to adjourn on
account Of the absence Of certain witnesses. the
clerk OF the court was ordered 10 read NJ.
dOrmeschevilles bill of indictment Of 1904
which he did in a loud voice. Dreyfus In the
mean while listening unmoved as the old
charges against him were read
A PATHETIC SCENE
Colonel Jouaust then addressed Dreyfus as al
ready stated, adding. as he handed the prisoner
a long slip OF cardboard upon which the bor-
dereau was pasted:
DO you recognize this document?'
Dreyfus replied. with passionate outburst;
mo my Colonel, / am innocent! l declare
it here as I declared It in 1894. am victim
His voice here was choked with sobs. whicn
must have stirred every spectator in court. The
voice Of the prisoner did not seem human. IL
resembled the cry OF a wounded animal
AS he ended his reply with the words. Five
years in the galleys My wife! My children! My
Cod I am Innocent! Innocent" Colonel Jou-
aust said:
Then you deny IL?
Dreyfus replied Yes my Colonel
On the Court proceeding to the rollcall OF wit
nesses. the most notable absentees being Ester
hazy Du Patty de Clam and Mile. Pays Dreytus
half turned his head toward the seats or the
witnesses. especially when the clerk ~ the
court called Esterhazy. When no response was
received Dreyfus returned to his previous atti-
+,de looking straight in front of him at Colonel
Jouaust.
Altogether about hundred witnesses will be
called on both sides.
uotor r,orr,Are the Governments Commissary
.,or said that in view Of the official MISSION
=, General Chanoine and NJ. Paleolosue 10 lur'
n,eb 70 the Court all the necessary explanations
resnecting the secret dossier. their depositoh'
as witnesses would he dispensed with. adding
that the consideration of the dossler wouic
probably occupy four days.
ABSENCE OF WITNESSES
The Court afterward retired TO deliberate upor
the case Of the absentee witnesses the soldiers
IN the courtroom In response to the WORD o.
command OF the lieutenant in charge carrying
and presenting arms. the judges leaving and re
entering to the rattle Of rifles, as the line o.
soldiers brought their weapons. ike piece o.
machinery, smartly to Present arms" ana ther
dropped their butts heavily to the ground. inns
performance was repeated every time the Cour
retired. Dreyfus was withdrawn into an nnel
room during the Courts retirements
On the final return OF the Court Major Car
riere said he thought the absence OF Esterhaz'
! ought not TO prevent the trial from proceeding
Let him come or not he sald' IL ma,tef'
nothing 20 us"