Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-09-10

Rennes awoke this morning left no doubts
In the minds of anyone that the final crisis |
of the great trial had been reached. In |
stead of scattered gendarmes guarding the |
vicinity of the prison and the Lycee, the
whole town bristled with soldiers, all the
streets near the court were guarded at
intervals by double lines of infantry, two
companies of infantry sat on the church
steps adjoining the Lycee, with their arms
stacked in front of them, while in the
courtyard of the prison and at various 9TH
er points cavalry could be seen in readi-
ness.
Every person entering the court was SUBJ
jected to the closest scrutiny. Even the
women who attended the session were de-
prived Of their small sunshades before be-
ing permitted to pass.
4 larger crowd than usual witnessed the
passage of Dreyfus from the prison to the
Lycee, but the crowds were nowhere large,
and aside from the presence of the MILL
tary the town was as tranquil as usual
The last session of the court-martial
opened at 7:So a. m. Nine. Labori was
among the few ladies present and IN the
press seats there were only about fifty re-
porters.
The prisoner looked flushed and in ill
health, apparently suffering from the great
strain.
NJ Demange resumed his speech for the
defense, which was interrupted yesterday
by the adjournment of the court The au-
dience listened to his remarks with the
most serious attention, and he was closely
followed by the judges. In his appeal 10
them, he strongly accentuated the words,
You must not say thing is POSSIBLE
fly. A Judge must have proof. No doubt
must rest on the conscience of judge.
Baron Russell, of Halloween. the lord
chief justice OF England, was again pres
cnt.
Among the prominent witnesses only
Senator Trarieux, the former minister of
justice, remained seated in the front row
of the witnesses seats. In the second row
of the privileged public, facing the Judges,
sat Matthew Dreyfus, brother of the pris-
oner His sunken eyes and careworn face
reflected his anxiety and anguish. 1t was
evident that he had not slept during the
night. He was attired in black. Captain
Dreyfus sat beside a captain of gendarmes
and as NJ. Demange refuted the arguments
made in the speech Of the government
commissary, Major Carriere, the prisoner
continually turned his face toward Mat
thieu to watch the effect it had upon him.
Captain Dreyfus, however, did not dis
play the intense emotion with which his
heart on this critical morning must have
been bursting.
Gendarmes were plentifully distributed
among the audience and posted III the
gangways around the courtroom. There
was a pleasant contrast in their pretty
blue uniforms, with white cord trimmings,
10 the sober attire of the majority of the
watched what was
going on in the court, and their hands
rested on the black leather case in which
nestled big army revolvers. The silence
was only broken by the occasional rus
Ting of a reporters notebook, or the neigh
of an artillery horse, picketed in street
beside the Lycee. Now and then there
was the sound of the rafting of a rifle or
the clanking of the sword OF some officer
hastily crossing the court yard. where the
troops were stationed.
M Demange, counsel for Captain Drey-
fus, concluded his speech for the defense
before the court-martial at 11:35 a. m.
The peroration of NJ. Demange was a
splendid piece of oratory. His voice thun-
dered through the court and echoed out
side. The officers and troopers stationed
in the court yard crowded around the en-
trance 70 the hall, standing on tip-toe to
catch a glimpse of the speaker, while in
side the hall many of the audience were
moved to tears.
The speech was very skillfully arranged
and was devoted to demolishing, stone by
stone, the edifice built up by the genera
staff, going over every point brought uI
in the bordereau and refuting the argu
ments of Generals Mercier and Roget.
The lawyer declared he did not believ,
Henry and Esterhazy were accomplices
otherwise Henry Would have suppressed tn,
bordereau But Henry might have giveI
information to Esterhazy, believing hin
to be a man of honor and when he dis
covered, in 1885, that he had put his hanC
in that of a traitor, he committed forger,
upon which counsel would not dwell, TO
the offender had paid for it with his life
NJ. Demange pointed to the contrast be
tween the private life of Esterhazy AM
Dreyfus, and showed that Dreyfus ol
Devils island was constantly turning hi
eyes TO France and asking for justice from
his chiefs. while Esterhazy was attacking
and biting and writing insulting letters t
his chiefs. After asking God to enlighte
the minds of the judges, N. Demange con
cluded with turning to the audience an
saying in voice choked with emotion an
with his hands trembling: "You, gentle
men. be you for or against me, in the in
spiration of the sublime thought of N
Mornard before the court of cessation,
tell you We are all Frenchmen Conse
quently let us unite in common love of tn
fatherland, love of justice and love for tn
army"
An outburst of cheers followed the Law
yer's appeal
NJ. Demange sank back In his seat. a
though exhausted.
After n. Demange had spoken, Maitr
Labori arose and formally renounced hi
right to plead.
When the court resumed its session afte
brief adjournment, the government CON
missary began his reply. He promised
be brief and said he desired to submit
the court-martial a simple observation:
weigh the Importance of the two cat,
gories of witnesses, those for and thos
against the prisoner. Weigh the impor
ance. and judge, in all the independenc
of your character and all the strength {
soldiers. Proof is everywhere. The hol
of supreme decision has sounded Franc
anNiously awaits your judgment 1 al.
await ii. confidently and fully maintainir
the conclusions already announced d
mand the application of article 76 of II
penal code and article 267 of the militia,
code"
The demand of the government commi
sary caused sensation in court
NJ. Demange rose to reply his voice ",
hoarse from fatigue. He said:
The government commissioner. in =
rninding you of the text of the law, h
also reminded us of what we alrea,
knew, namely, that you are only answe
able to your conScienceS and God fnr x-o