The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-12

Rennes, September 9.-The expected
has happened. Dreyfus has been con-
demned, but though a majority OF those
in the court room this afternoon fully
expected the verdict they were COM
pletely stupified when ii was. given,
and the silence which prevailed'in the
room and the way men turned pale and
caught their breaths was more impress
sive than any other manifestation
could have been. AS the audience left
the court room fully ten or fifteen men
were crying opening, and the major
ity of those present walked quietly
down the street for more than a block
funeral procession.
Meanwhile a tragedy was being enact
ed in the little room off the court room,
where Dreyfus listened to the reading
of the verdict. He had been told the
result by his lawyers and had wept
bitterly, but when in the presence OF
the officials of the court martial he
listened impassively TO the sentence
His wife, who was waiting in the
court room in suspence for her hus-
band bore the news bravely and visit
ing Dreyfus showed the in-lookers who
were in the streets no signs of suffer-
ings as she walked from her carriage
to the prison.
Matthieu Dreyfus was not present in
court this afternoon but visited his
brother after the verdict had been rem
dered. He found him perfectly calm
and without any manifestation OF sur
prise at the finding of the court. The
prisoner simply shrugged his should
ers, uttering an expressive Bah" ad-
ding as he embraced his brother as the
latter was preparing to leave, console
my wife"
The general belief is that Dreyfus
will be pardoned; but this will not sat
isfy his friends, who vehemently de-
clare that they will continue the battle
until the judgment is reversed. The
verdict, they say, is directed more
against the Jews than against Dreyfus,
and if allowed to stand will make their
existence in France impossible.
Maitre Labori and Maitre Demange
took the midnight train for Paris They
drove to the station in a closed car
riage, escorted by four mounted gem
darmes. The road was practically de-
serted and no demonstration occurred
NJ. Dmange and NJ. Laboris will to-
morrow sign an application for a revis-
ion of thecase, although there is no
hope that the verdict will be set aside
Both are much upset, though il can
hardly be said that they are surprised
THE LAST DAY OF THE TRIAL.
The appearance on the streets when
Renres awoke this morning left no
doubts in the minds of any one that
the final crisis of the great trial had
been reached. Instead 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 inter-
walls 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 court yard Of the prison
. and at various points, cavalry could be
seen in readiness.
Everyone entering the court room
, was SUBJECTED to the closest scrutiny.
Even the women who attended the ses-
sion were deprived of their small SUM-
shades bfore being permitted TO pass.
A larger crowd than usual entered,
but the crowds were no where large
and, aside from the presence of the
military, the town was tranquil as
usual.
The morning Of the day which was TO
decide the fate of Dreyfus broke dull
and cherries and the court room was
filled with a cold, unsympathetic light,
which lent sadness to the proceedings.
This was enhanced by the grave as
pect Of the audience and OF the judges.
The last session Of the court martial
opened at 7:30 o'clock a. m.
Madame Labori was among the few
ladies present and in the press seats
there were only about fifty reporters
The prisoner looked flushed and In
i'll health, apparently suffering great
strain.
". Demange promptly resumed his
speech for the defence, which was in
terrupted yesterday by the adjourn
ment of the court. The audience lis
tened TO his remarks with the most Sc
rious attention and he was closely fol-
lowed by the judges.
Baron Russell, of Killowen, the lord
chief justice OF England, was again
present Among the prominent wit
nesses, only Senator Trarieux, the for
mer minister Of justice, remained
seated in the front row OF the witness
seats. In the scond row OF the privil-
eyed public facing the judges, sat
Matthieu Dreyfus, brother OF the pri-
soner. HHis sunken eyes and care.
worn face reflected his anxiety and an
guish.
Captain Dreyfus sat beside a captair
OF gendarmeS and as NJ. DemangA re.
fUted the arguments made in IN.
speech Of the government commissary
Major Carriere, the prisoner continual.
" turned his face towards Matthier
to watch the effect II had upon him
Matthieu Dreyfus, however, did no
display the intense emotion with whicf
his heart, on this critical morning. mus
have been bursting.
Gendarmes were plentifully distribut.
ed among the audience and posted IL
the gangways around the court room