Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-07
,cuments from the geograph-

ical department.
Humbert also referred to the desire Of
Dreyfus to enter the statistical section.
In reply to the usual questions, Dreyfus
said that Capt. HumbertS recollectionS
We're not exact, adding:
In regard to the papers mentioned. per-
haps it is advisable to have the commits
sariat tables of plan IL produced, when you
will see that they are of no great impor-
lance. 1t is certain l was acquainted with
five or six tables, the printing Of which l
was instructed to superintend.'
Col. Jouaust-"Did you apply to Col
Sandherr with the view of entering the
statistical section?
Dreyfus-''No, no."
Col. Jouaust-"Did you not express such
desire to your comrades?"
DreyfuS-'No.'
Gen. MERCER here reappeared on the
scene. After saying that the evidence Of
Capt. Freystaetter must have greatly in
fiuenced the judges, he referred to the at
lacks on himself made by the revisionist
newspapers. SAYING that, in consequence
of Freystaetters assertions, he had been
described a forger, and 1t was great sat
isfaction to him now to be able to reply to
Capt Freystaetter by adducing. in addition
to the testimony of Col. Maurel his own
testimony. which was confirmed by Col du
Paty de CLAIMS deposition.
New Evidence Cited.
Continuing. the general said that infor-
nation which he had happily been enabled
Judges He maintained that in 1894 he
gave orders that the various translations of
the Panizzard telegram received from the
foreign office should not be taken into ac-
count and he cited the testimony of Gen.
de Boisdeffre and NJ. Grbein on this point.
The sealed envelope handed to the court
martial of 1894. the general also said, was
made up in his presence and did not con-
tain the Panizzardi telegram. 1t was seal
ed by Col. Sandherr, and Col du Patty de
Clam was intrusted with the duty of con-
veving it to the court martial. He, the
witness, had questioned the officers who
acted as judges in the court-martial of 1894
in regard to the presentation to the court
of a secret envelope. All, with single
exception. had assured him that they did
not remember reading the Panizzardi tele-
gram. although they could not declare I'M
der oath that it was not among the docu-
ments.
These officers apologized for the vague
ness of their recollections after the lapse
of five years. MERCER aSseverated that
these statements themselves constituted
proof, but he thought it necessary to point
out contradictions in the evidence of Capt.
Freystaetter. He read an old letter from
Freystaetter to a friend. in which the cap
tain expressed his belief in the guilt of
statements to the same effect, alleged to
have been made by Freystaetter
Gen. MERCER continuing, said he re-
preached Capt. Freystaetter for engaging
in newspaper discussions, which perhaps,
resulted in his ideas that others were being
substituted for his personal recollection,
which indicated certain mental derange-
ment In support of the theory of 1unacy,
MERCER mentioned that Freystaetter while
in Madagascar was once guilty of dsobey
ing his commander. and on another coca
sion the captain executed thirty natives
without trial
The allegations of Gen MERCER caused so
much excitement in court that Col Jouaust
requested the general not to enlarge on the
subject.
Asked to Ignore Freystaetter.
In conclusion, MERCER invited the judges
to pay no attention to Capt. Freystaet- e's
statements. but to accord to the evidence
which he himself had the honor to give all
the confidence and moral authority they
would have reposed in 1t if the Freystaetter
incident had never happened.
Mal,re Demange said he agreed with
Gen. MERCER that the Freystaetter incident
could be dropped without injuring the case
of Dreyfus.
Thank God" said the lawyer, 81 am
here in a court of justice, where the ques-
ton of justice is being discussed before
honorable men and loyal soldiers. Then
let this incident be forgotten.
The reports of experts We're next read,
showing that the tracing paper on which
the bordereau was written similar to
paper used by EsterhaZy. and official rec
ords were produced showing Dreyfus
wrong in regard TO the number of proba
TONERS in 1894.
The prisoner admitted that his recollec-
tions We're perhaps not precise.
N. Labor said he regretted Cernuschi
was not present, as counsel desired to
question him. and, in any case, NJ. Labor
wanted TO add to the dossier certain letters
showing Cernuschi had suffered from in
sanity and was destitute of moral sense
The defense had discovered that applica-
tons had been made for CernuSchi's eX-
tradition, and he was pronounced to be al
together worthless and unreliable. Counsel
also said that. although representing him
self tG be political refugee, if Cernuschi
had not left Austria he would have been
placed in an asylum for the insane.
NJ. Labor then asked that a letter re-
ceived from the witness Grenier should be
read.
The government commissary admitted
receiving the letter, but said it was Of no
Importance.
Counsel thought otherwise and read a
copy IF the letter which Graner had sent
him simultaneously with the one to Maj.
Carrier re.
Referred to Esterhazy Letters.
The letter referred to an epistle of Ester
haZy showing the latter's great interest in
questions outside of his duties, that Ester
hazy had in his possession official docu
ments, that he concerned himself with the
mobilization of the troops and that he had
expressed supreme contempt for the
French army.
Colonel Jouaust remarked that If the let
ter had reached him he would not have
made use of ii, as it had nothing TO do
with the Dreyfus case. This called forth
murmurs of assent and dissent, and NJ.
Labor retorted that he was of quite an
opposite opinion. He said General Cham
DIN had handed the court a letter from Col
onel SchwartZkoppen to his government.
announcing that he was about to send
them information regarding the real effect
ives of the Russian army, and this was
also referred to in EsterhaZy's letter Col
onel Schwartzkoppen had also mentioned
the Paris and Toulon maneuvers. which
would explain the phrase Il am going to
the maneuvers" This letter was written
a fortnight after the arrest of Dreyfus and
NJ Labori declared he would be glad to
hear the generals on that point.
General Roget accordingly marched to
the platform. In regard to the mobiiZa-
ton of the Russian army, he said a we'll
informed article on this subject had aD-
peared in the Revue Bleue. owing to the
indiscretions of a certain person he would
not name, he the general did not wish
to compromise him.
Captain Cuignet confirmed General Ro-
get. and add that it must not be concluded
that the information furnished to the Ger
man general staff did not emanate from
Dreyfus. The fact that it took a fortnight
to reach it's destination proved nothing.
General MERCER also interviewed to show
&c., TO-.