Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-09-08
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Plea In Defense of Dreyfus.

| the court room tDlS morning loohlpS
unusually forlorn and piteously wretch
ed. Nj. Demange began his argument
for the defense by saying he was
Frenchman, and the son of soldier.
Il always had love for the army OF
my beloved country" said NJ. De-
mango. Before this case was brought
before the court OF cessation, DOUBTS
arose concerning the guilt OF Dreyius.
Bv the time the order for revision
brought the case here l was convinced
thnt the accusations against this SOLDIER
were without foundation, and that
most erievious wrong had been done to
an innocent man. find this man was
prosecuted, trapped, and pursued in an
endeavor to fud him guilty. A pistol
was put before him for an obvious rea-
son. Dreyfus did not use it. Instead,
be cried, I will not die. l am innocent,
and l will live TO prove it, Oa the
day after his condemnation, be proved
the sincerity of his utteIance by send
ing q letter to the War Ministry 10
which he begged that the truth OF his
case be sought. This purpose and
this hope sustained him through the
long wears on DEVILS Island, and brings
MIN here today demanding that the
stigma put upon his name and that OF
his beloved wife and children be clear
ed awav and his innocence be proven
before mankind" NJ. DemaDge then
began reading from the letters written
by the prisoner while on Devils Island.
la them Dreyfns related how ne lay in
irons and when the guards, more pitt
full than their officers, stole in to him
during the darkness in order to cleanse,
with rags, the chafed sores upon his
wrists aud ankles. yet, through all
this ordeal" said Demange, with an
eloquence that was now carrying his
audience with him, There was always
but one cry, Il am innocent"
The emotion of the orator was con-
,agious, women in the court began TO
weep and there were few present but
paid tribute TO feeling as they listen
ed TO the moving words Of the detens e.
Six Judges sat with fixed expression,
listening intently, but the seventh,
Major Proflette, fur!ively removed
unsoldierly tears from bis cheeks. The
infinite pathos OF NJ. Demange seemed
to enthrall all. AS DemaDge reached
his main argument the intensity OF the
Interest and feeling manifested was well
sustained NJ. DemaDge told Of the al
legged confession of Dreyfus. which was
crystallized LON the vague recollec-
tons of Captain Lebrun. Renault. He
took the secret dosser in hand, piece
by piece, telling of the origin and his
tory of it. He dwelt on the fact thai
NJ Caviagnac had withheld pieces IA
voring Dreyfus. The orator smashed
the 'canaille de D' document, show
ing that it did not refer to Dreytus. He
controverted the conclusions of Major
Carriere who spoke yesterday for the
prosecution, and also those of MERCER,
BoisdefIre, Gon=e, Roget and Lauth.
Demange related the solemn declare
lions which had been made by foreign
attaches that they never had dealings
in any way with Dreyfus. did they
say Esterhazy was innocent? No"
said NJ. Demange; while willing to
speak of Dreyius, they have point
,d'y refraiued from mentioning Es-
terbazy. You may draw your
own conclusions" M. Demange
then discussed the moral proofs
of the prisoners innocence, including
the performances OF Esterbazy and the
late Colonel Sandherr. The Henry
forgery and its consequences was, also
dwelt on at length. Demange rebutted
he idea that Drey fus was q gambler
He dismissed the De Beaurepaire wit
ness humoroualy and tore to shreds the
evidence of Cernusci, the Austrian.
1t was now 1850 o'clock, and the
speaker asked for adjournment, saying
| ne would be able to finish his address
in two and half hours more.
The court, accordingly adjourned IN.
til 7:30 tomorrow morning.
The prosecution nos the right to re-
ply when the defense is finished, but
the defense has the final word.
Among those present 10 the court
room, today, was Lord Chief Justice
Russell, of England.
Today Demange gave the pleading of
humanity for mercy. Tomorrow
Labor will demand justice.
Rennes, Sept. Sit is stated on the
highest authority that Nj. Labor is
satisfied with Demange's Efforts in the
court today and will not make a
speech, believing this better policy.
1t is possible, therefore, that the verdict
ail be rendered tomorrow, though
there is general desire to have it de-
ferred until Monday in order to avoid
Sunday disorders.
The Dreyfusites state positively that
NJ. Labor will not speak for the de-
Tense, in which case the trial will end
| tomorrow with the conclusion of M.
Demange's plea. The socialists and
! others whom the Government fears are
in condition af panic, expecting con
demnation, though nothing as TO the
nature of the verdict is known.
Rennes, Sept. Sit was officially
announced this afternoon that the
courts verdict in the Dreyfus case
would be announced tomorrow even if
two sessions of the court are necessary.
Berlin, Sept S.-The Emperor today
issued an official statement reterating
that Germany was never connected
with Captain Dreyfus in any manner.
With the statement is the announce
ment that it is issued 'for the preser
walton OF the dignity of Germany ami
as fulfilment of duty to humanity"
To Decide for Peace or War.
LonioD. Sept S.-Crowds assembled |
outside the foreign office ct an early |