Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-30

as the culprit, VI. Ballot de Beaupre dealt
with the question OF motive. He read the
police report furnished by VI. Guene, the de-
tective, all unfavorabe to Dreyfus, and re-
ports OF the prefecture OF police, pointing out
that there had been a confusion OF Dreyfus
with others Of the same name who had been
mixed up with gambling and dlsreputable
female associates. The latter reports were
not produced at the trial in 1894
NJ. Ballot de Beaupre then pointed out that
Dreyfus could not have acted as a traitor
from anger or disappointment, as he had the
finest prospects OF an excellent military ca
reer On the other hand Fsterhazy, the
reporter alleged, was a soldier Of fortune,
always begging from the money lenders.
Continuing, the reporter read letters writ
ten by Esterhazy, abusing France and the
French army, these producing a deep impress
sion upon the audience. He referred to a
letter written by Esterhazy to Baron Roths-
child, dated June 2l, 1894, to the effect that
IL his application for money were refused
he would have no recourse but to kill hio
family and then commit suicide Such, said
the reporter, was Esterhazy's language on
the eve CT the date when the bordereau was
placed" The inference to be drawn was
that Esterhazy sought In treason resources
necessary to carry on life of dissipation.
Court should Make Amends.
At this point with the evident approval OF
all who listened, NJ. Ballot de Beaupre
quoted from NJ. Mornards statement as fol-
lows:
Although justice has been rendered more
or less mpotent with regard to Esterhazy
by the latter's acquittal of the charge OF
being the author OF the bordereau, 1t is none
the less the duty Of the supreme court to re-
store liberty to an innocent man unjustly
condemned
Prior to the adjournment VI. Ballot de
Beaupre read letter from the British Gen
eral Talbot, who, in 1894, was attached to
the British embassy in Paris, rectifying the
deposition CT General Marquis de Galifot.
This letter reached NJ Mazzeau through
diplomatic channels. In 1t General Talbot
said that Marquis de Gallifot had misin-
terpreted his (Talbot's) words, as he had
never had personal relations with Esterhazy
in the way Of espionage, but had simply
heard that Esterhazy's character was we'll
known to the foreign military attaches.
First Suspicion of Dreyfus.
The report said the first suspicion of
Dreyfus emanated from Colonel Fabre, who
was struck with the similarity OF the word
artillery" in the bordereaux and in docu-
ment written DY Drey1uS.
Continuing, the report dealt with Lieu
tenant Colonel Henry's account Of his con-
versation with Dreyfus when the latter was
transferred to the Cherche Midi prison.
Dreyfus said: 1T is terrible. / am accused
OF frightful thing"
Henry asked Of what he was accused and
Dreyfus replied: Il am accused Of the crime
of high treason"
THE devil" answered Henry. "But on
what ground?''
II don't know" said Dreyfus. II am
nearly mad. / would prefer to receive a
bullet in the head. / am not guilty. This
accusation is the death Of my life"
To this Henry said: 'If you are not
guilty you must net lcse your head. An
innocent man is always strong. Have you
famly?"
Yes" replied the prisoner, "a wife and
children. / we'll of and l must have
! justice done me-"
That does not come within my compe-
tence," was Henrys next remark, "but
| Justice will certainly be done you. Do you
know what you are accused off,
''Yes. am accused of giving documents to
a foreign power" ...
What documents?'
81 don't know. Du Patty de Clam only
spoke of secre: and confidential documents
without further explanation. l replied that
during my probation at the general staff
Office many documents passed through my
hands, but that I communicated them tc
nobody"
The Ormes- -Chevalles report concluded
with saying that Dreyfus, having a supple
and very obsequious character, was adapted
for espionage.
NJ Ballot de Beaupre then reviewed the
judicial history OF the case and said it now
rested with the court to pronounce judg.
ment. He upheld the statement that there
was sufficient presumption that doubt.
and errors existed and that they justified {
revision Of the case. He had examined the
different cases in which the court could annu
sentence without retrial and said that in hi
opinion the court ought not to consider th'
idea of annulling the sentence, but shouk
only consider a revision OF it,
The court adjourned at $50, when yer,
few Of the public yet remained in the vi
cinity. The Republican guards lmmediatel!
returned to their barracks and the Gordon o
police was dispersed.
Nu~nIaIIIc