The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-08
Evidence all in and Pieadtngs
Have Begun..vcrdlct to be
Reached by Monday.
The ACTION OF THE COURT
In Rejecting Evidence of Foreign
Attaches variousIy Comment.
ed on.-The Only Loophole.

case entered upon the tinal stage. of
headings, and the verdict VIII be de-
tprmlned on Monday, at the latest.
There is even talk tonight of the trial
ending tomorrow by holding an extra
afternoon session for NJ. Laborl's
speeeh and the deliberation of the
Judges. This, however. is considered
unlikely, as the government IS anxious
10 have the Judgment withheld over
sunday, in order to avert demonstra-
tlons which would probably develop
bloodshed on day when the wOrkmen
are free.
The government is not only fearful
regarding Rennes. but is particularly
concerned regarding Paris and other
large towns, where passions have been
heated, and where the verdict. which,
ever way 1t is given, is practically GER
tain to give rise to trouble. 1t is un-
derstood that the government has In
tImated It's desire to the president of
the court martial, Colonel Jouaust, and
there is no reason to believe that he
will not fall in with It's views.
Colonel Jouaust this morning took
the most important decision yet taken,
and took 1t upon his ewn respon-
sIbIlIty, although ne is undoubtedly
only the mOuthpIece Of the whole
body OF Judges. His decision to ex-
clude the testimony OF Colonel scharwz-
kOppen and Major Panizzardi was most
significant. as 1t means that the court
had already reached conclusion, and
that the pIeadfngs Of counsel were
merely a waste Of time, and might be
pensed with. II they were not neees-
sIty.
Courts Mind Made up.
The court has made up its mlnG, hut
which way? This is the vital point,
and forms the sole topic Of discussion
tonight. Both sides are equally con-
Rdent that the court will decide in ac-
tordance with their view. The Drey-
fusards declare that the judges cannot
condemn Drevfus after the decisive ev-
idence which Colonel schwarzkoppen
and Major PanlzzardI would have given
In his favor. The anti ti-Dreyfusurds. on
the other hand, explain to-day's rulings
on the ground that the judges recog-
nize that the evidence OF the two mill
tary attaches would be worthless, be-
cause they would be morally bound to
save their agent, at any cost.
A sample OF this reason was given
by an antl-Dreyfusard journalist, who,
when praIsing Colonel Jouaust's decl-
sion explained: what weight could he
attach to the testimony OF schwarzkop-
pen and Panizzardi? The receiver of
stolen goods must shield the thief as
much as he can"
From the popular point OF view, the
scene In court when Colonel Jouaust
delivers the Judgment will be dIvested
OF Its most sensational feature, owing
to the absence Of the central figure.
Captain Dreyfus will be taken to an
adjacent room, when the Judges retire
to consider their verdict. A moment
before they are to re-enter bell will
be ruHg, and as they take their places
behind the long table on the stage the
infantry guard will present arms and
remain at present arms, while Colonel
Jouaust. standing in the center Of the
platform. reads the verdict.
Captain Dreytus win not be brought
back to the court room, and will not
be present at the public meeting of the
Judges. but when the court room has
been cleared by the gendarmes, which
will be done as soon as Colonel Jouaust
concludes. the reading clerk Of the
court will proceed to the room where
DreytuS will be waiting and read to him
the verdict, in the presence Of couple
OF gendarmes.
The public will thus be robbed Of the
spectacle OF his emotions. which are
bound to be most profound. whether
the decree sends him to the arms of his
family or back to the penal settle
ment.
All Speculation.
The verdict mny be condemnation,
an uucQulyocal acqulttal or a form OF
acqnittal that will be equal to the
Scotch verdict. mot proven" The
last will be the case II tho Judges
should pronounce against him by n
vote of four to three. That is, he
would be freed. even though the judges
In his favor should be in the minority.
But this, naturally, would be very un-
satisfactory, RS he wonld cnrry the stig-
ma for the rest OF his days.
Captain Droyfus thus has 1--WE chances
against tho prosecutions three. IMAM
Unity, six to ono, five to one, four to
three, OF three TO four will set Mt lib
erty. while unanimity. six to one, or 1--WE
to two, will convict him.
II convicted the Judgment will be
carried to the military court OF appeals,
which win be n formal matter. The
nppeal court will only quash the Judg-
ment and order re-trini-it It should
be established that the present court
martial has erred in matter OF pro-
eednre. This Is In the highest degree
improbable.
The court Of cessation viii also have