The age-herald., 1899-08-19
I'U9 uU''0 TUT "'0 '" SPOKE OVER FIVE HOURS Mercier and Roget Failed to Cor ner the Witness.
 ESTERHAZY APPARENTLY GUILTY
Testimony Was Given in an Earnest and Emphatic Tone, and Made Deep Impression on the Court
 and Spectators

Rennes, August 19.-The trial of Captain Dfeyfus was resumed this morning at 6;So. No special incidents marked the opening of the proceedings. The first witness was Captain Cugnet an ade-de-camp at the ministry of war, who was commissioned by General Gong last year to classify and arrange the different documents connected with the Dreyfus, Esterhazy and Picquart affairs.
 Captain Cuignet declared that he was convinced of the guilt of the accused.
 Rennes, August 1S.-Colonel Picquart was again witness today. He was allowed to sit in an armchair, with which the gem erals had been successively accommodated. Picquart's figure is younger than his face. His voice is pleasant His diction Is good, the emphasis never too emphatic and the gesticulation seldom over-done. He gives one the impression of one Wbo goes in for the sober and unadorned. His face is strange but mot unpleasing. The acqui- line nose is far too long, His eyes are blue and of polite expression, but the heavy, dropping lids give them a triangular shape The prevailing expression of his countenance is sad, still 1t shows mental serenity. His defects are diffuseness to great facility and drawn out style. He does not form conviction in swift, strong flashes. He is not graphic and never goes direct to the root of a matter; but is not tedious
 Picquarts Beautiful Voice
 The beautiful voice saves him from that. It makes the listener patiently follow him through the mazes of argument, deduction and demonstration. His arrangement Of arguments is cumulative. The presiding judge rubbed him often against the grain, and often begged him not to be diffusdve- not to speak so much about his own con- science, but to keep to the Dreyfus affair. Picquart respectfully accepted these proofs, saying that he only spoke of his own con- science in order to vindicate his character and to prove himself credible witness. He spent two hours yesterday and four to- day in giving evidence and remaining the guardian angel of Dreyfus, standing be- tween him and the implacaIble enemies who sit on the front seat Of the witness stand. In this row are Generals Mercder and Roget and many field officers who are still nnheard. How bitterly and hatingqy they eyed Picquart today!
 General Eliot, however, did not apparent ly share in their ferocious feeling He seemed unruffled by Col. Picquart's state ments. Eliot was on the staff of Baziane in Mexico and escaped from Metze. He is born politician and is always guided by the instinct of self-preservation. But he is not bad man. He took from Metze to Tours in 1870 a commission as colonel,
 
 ed 1t to Gambletta and tore it up.
 Gambietta Confirmed It
 Gambletta at once confirmed it and then promoted him higher. He is a type of the old, retired sergeant one might see in play ing cards in a provincial cafe with a chip and glass of absinthe
 Those who do not know his history are amazed to think he was thrice a minister of war and is life senator.
 The Dreyfusitcs greatly fear for Pic quarts life. The stalwarts among them unpropitious star and he always has been unlucky unless in having that peace of soul that passeth understanding.
 M. Labori was not so well this afternoon. He overtired himself yesterday and today. He was only allowed to exercise for half an hour which he spent in the garden His wound is no worse but he is suffering from nervousness.