The record-union., 1899-08-20
Guignst, De Boisedsffre and GOnse
Give Testimony
Before the Cuurt-MartIaI Which is Trying
the Former Army Officer.
Major Cuignet's Evidence Fails to
Make Much of an Impression,
His Testimony in Cross-Exam1-
nation Not Showing to Great
Advantage.

RENNES, Aug. 19-No special Incl
dent occurred this morning when the
second trial by court-martlal or cap
tain Alfred Dreyfus of the Fourteenth
Artillery. charged with treason, was
resumed at the Lycee. The first Wit
ness called to-day was Major Cuignet
formerly attached to the Ministry OF
War The witness, who declared he
was convinced of the prisoners guilt,
was oss-eXamined by NJ. Demange
of counsel for the defense, who sue
ceeded in pointing out that several Of
his statements contradicted his pre-
vious depositions.
The President of the court, Colonel
Jouaust, asked Dreyfus if he had any
thing to say, whereupon the prisoner
arose and again vehemently protested
against the denunciations leVeled
against him, an innocent man.
The stand was occupied to-day sue
cessfully by three enemies of Dreyfus-
Major Cuignet. General De Boisdeffre
and General Gonse. who from 6:3O to
II a. m mainly devoted themselves to
reiterating what they had previously
said in evidence against the prisoner.
who followed them with characteristic
composure, but when the moment came
for him to reply, the prisoner delivered
one of those brief utterances of indig-
nation which has had such a powerful
effect upon his hearers.
The long monologues delivered by the
witnesses at the beginning are heard
with a certain restlessness which set
tied into general drowsiness upon the
part of the majority of the audience
who are unable to catch one out OF ten
words spoken, in consequence of the
deplorable acoustic properties OF the
courtroom.
The reporters are at an equal disad-
vantage, as only a score of them, i'm
mediately beneath the stage, can fol-
low the proceedings intelligently.
The telegram of denial as to the au-
thentiefty of a certain letter sent by
Colonel Schneider. the Austrian mill
tary attache, to the Figaro which it
was generally thought would be dis
cussed yesterday. was introduced to-
day by Major Cuignet. who was very
emphatic in his testimony.
Major Cuignet did not show to great
advantage in the crosse examination. He
is a we'll knit, smartly uniformed young
officer, and began his evidence in a loud
voice, in obvious imitation of Colonel
Picquart, whose fearless manner and
resonant tones made such an impress
sion yesterday.
Major Cuignet evidently however,
committed an indiscretion in dragging
in Colonel Schneider's name, which
caused a sensation in court. The
Judges began to lean their heads to-
gether and look serious. Then Major
Carriere the Government commissary,
arose and with a praiseworthy absence
of his usual transforming gestures, and
carefully avoiding mention of Colonel
Schneider's name, made few remarks
refusing in behalf of the Government
to accept responsibility for Major Cuig-
nets indiscretion. the fact being thai
the Government has begun TO get ap-
prehensive of trouble if the foreign at
taches' names continue to be handled
about the court, as has frequently oc'
Cured since the opening of the trial
Other parts of Cuignets evidence
evoked smiles of incredulity and sup
pressed laughter, as when he declared
his belief in NJ. Bertillon's wondrou'
chart.
When NJ. Demange took up the Ma
taY's cross-examination in itself, Majo
ness. which was aecentuated every tin'
counsel for the defense asked pointed
question. especially where counse
threshed out the contradictions will
Cuignet's evidence before the Court o
Cessation. Dreyfus, too, was effective
when he arose and protested agains
Cuignet's bitter attack.
During the course of his deposition
Major Cuignet referred to the extraor
dinary dossier, which it is doubted
however. the Government will consen
to produce Cuignets reference t
these documents was very mysterious
and as nobody took the trouble TO ques
ton him on the subject, evidently lit
tie weight was attributed to his re
mark.
Another indiscreet statement of thi
witness was that the secret dossier onl,
contained the pick of the document
the Ministry of War had in its posses
sion. and Cuignet said: II think tn
court ought to see the rest of the docu
ments. It would then see that tn
Dreyfus affair is part of a big matter
and that there was not only one spy
The court would see that the militar.
attaches do nothing but spying"
General De Boisdeffre followed. H
is tall and like every General excep
Mercier who has appeared in court, h
boasts of very conspicuous bald patel
above rim of gray hair. De Boisdeffr
spoke in blunt manner and in some
what gruff terms, but with a certain
air of sincerity which had it's effect OF
the Judges. The General was treates
with obvious Difference by the member
of the court-martial but he did no
appear to relish the novelty of beini
questioned by a junior officer, one o
the Judges. who wished for a fey
harmless explanations.
The cross examination by M. De
mange was not very productive. Th
advocate puts his questions in sorry
4o-trouble-you sort of tone, quite diff
ferent from the lunging manner of La
bori.
M Demange, however, scored on
noint When General De Boisdeffr
insinuated that he knew Colonel Pic
Quart had relations with the Dreyfu
sanoilv in 1896, counsel questioned him
with the result that the General wa
Obliged to admit that he had no proof