Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-09-09
DREYFUS CONVICTED.

Ten cars III Il M llitafy rofIfCSo'
Rannes. Sept. 9.-Everything this
morning denoted that something Ut
usual was to take place today. TIE
public was excluded from space near
ly quarter vi mile around the Lycs Q
snd IN each street approaching the
court were stationed three barriers OF
troops with intervals between. Soldiers
also made a Gordon about the court
building, and were massed in the plaza,
ia the centre of the town. In front o.
the postotfice was drawn up body OF
gendarmes ready to gallop to any point
where trouble were threatened. Al
together 5000 men were ready to pre-
serve peace. At the door OF the court
room every one entering was thorough
lv searched and none was allowed to
have a cane or anything that could
possibly serve as weapon Or missile.
The judges passed to their seats and
prepared for the days proceedings,
with their usual military precision.
Captain Dreyfus appeared in the court
room unusually calm.
Demange began at once the conclu-
sion OF his speech for the defense, and
entered upon searching analysis OF
the evidence given concerning the
prisoners ability to have known about
the documents enumerated in the Dor
iereau Demsnge showed that the
upshot OF this evidence was that
Dreyfus could have known nothing
a0out the documents and showed what
facilities Esterhazy Rad for obtaining
the information even though he was
not member OF the war ministry. Dl
recting his remarks more directly to
the judges, Demange said: Gentle
me-: You must choose between Drey-
ia. and Esterhazy. and say by your de
ci~iDn watch is guilty. | have shown
A.u hat Dreyfus was not in Borges in
1891 This is where General MERCER
says Dreyfus learned the secret of the
pneumatic brake, and on this deems
him guilty. 1 have also shown that
at no presumptive date as to
when the bulletin was written, was
Dreyfus ignorant of the fact that he was
not going to the manoeuvres. "
NJ. Demange had dropped his pa
thetic manner and appealed to the
Judges to exclude proof not above
suspicion in this case, and said
the supposition advanced at the last
trial by the prosecution, that Drey-
fus and EsterhaZy were accomplices
was Infamous M. Demange then be-
gan scathing arraignment OF Ester
hazy. He said he was a refugee, prov
ed swinder. an adventurer, cap
able of any crime in the calen'
dar. He continued his argument
, missing no details and claimed
the prosecution had tried to make
he bordereau fit the accused
at any cost.
At this point Major Carriere, for the
prosecution, interrupted with denial
but NJ. Demange insisted on what he
had said.
4 recess was thea taken and, upon
the reassembling of the court, M. De
mauge reviewed the testimony of the
generals, striking at its salient defects
and discrepancies. At last he drew !
his points together into powerful
demonstration that there was no proof
of the prisoners guilt, while there was
every proof of his innocence. Then NJ.
Demange drew himself together for
the peroration. "There is man before
you," said Demange, pointing at Cap
cain Dreyfus, who is ruined In health
and broken in frame and heart. He
sits here dishonored before the world;
he VINO for FIVE years suffered the tor
lures of hell, caring less for his own
suferings than fur the grief brought
upon his lonely wife and fatherless
children by his degradation. From
first to last he has been what you, gen.
tlemen of the Supreme Council-with
whom reposes the solemnest of dulie;,
Frenchmen like him, fellow soldiers
of his, thrilling like him with love Of
country and OF justice-will today de.
clare him to be, an innocent man."
AZ Demange finished he sank ex-
hausted in mis- chair, his eyes sufused
with tears, and his lips actually cover
ed with foam.
When NJ Demange had concluded
there was o moment Of silence, and
then handclapping. There was no
cheering.
M. Labor then arose and briefly an.
nounced that be relinquished his right
to speak for the defense. The court
then adjourned till o'clock.
The session of the court was resumed
at 3 o'clock.
Major Carrere said 81 submit my
self TO the council with a few final
words. Gentlemen. you have but two
choices One Is acquittal, the other
conviction. Your duty will be render
cd iearlessly, Loyalty and inteliigently.
You know the law and your duty as
soldiers 10 France. The whole world
awaits your decision"
The court then retired to deliberate.
AT 4:30 o'clock they We're still out.
The court in an inside room discuss
ed the verdict and then voted begin.
ring with the officer lowest in rank. A
verdict was found and committed to
writing. A majority of the board
vo;td for condemnation. The courts
verdict sentences Drey fus to ten years
imprisonment in fortress. Five judges
voted for conviction and two against it.
During the reading of the verdict ALSO
Lutte silence prevailed in the court room
Dreyfus was not present in the court
room when the verdict was read. He
was waiting in an ante room adjoining,
whittier Col. Jousst, president, proceed
ed. and read him the courts fateful
decision. Only the members of the
court ard the counsel were present
when the verdict Was read to Dreyfus.