The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-22

previous year and who hal not favorably
impressed him. This probationer. Cap
tain Dreyfus. who was regarded as un-
trustworthy and insincere In his profess
slons, was, according to the witness. much
disliked by his comrades and superiors.
and was, NJ. Fabre added. constantly en-
deavoring to do all sorts OF meanness to
learn the secrets of the plan of concern
tration of the Eastern railway system and
IN his anxiety to secure Information ne
elected his duties. His official duties,
witness also said, placed II In Dreyfus'
power to disclose the documents referred
to In the bordereau
Witness could emphatcally deny all
Dreyfus had said on this subject When
witness was shown the bordcreau the lat
ter was struck with the resemblance of
the caligraphy
Dreyfus was the only officer who made
bad impression in his bureau, and the
opinions OF the chief OF staff and heads
of other departments confirmed witnesses
belief
In conclusion, he declared he was still
as firmly convinced as In 1894 that the
prisoner was the author of the bordereau.
(Sensation.)
After NJ, De Mango had pointed out the
discrepancies in Fabre's present state.
ments and those he voiced In 1894. Colonel
Jouaust invited Dreyfus to reply.
The prisoner said Fabre quite frequently
dictated the work in which he was en-
gagged when a probationer, especially EN-
phasizing that he had to keep the dossier
relating to the concentration of the troops
in the East system posted up. This was
not fictitious task
The prisoners reply was made in calm,
measured tones, and his frankness seemed
to favorably impress the judges.
Colonel d'Abbeville. former deputy chief
of the fourth bureau. related how Fabre
had shown him photograph OF an anony-
nous note in which the writer intimated
to his correspondent, evidently foreign
to army" that he had confidential docu-
ments to communicate. The witness told
Fabre that the documents mentioned
showed the writer could only be an artil-
lery officer belonging TO the general staff
who participated In the expedition OF the
headquarters staff in June and July, 1884.
The position of Dreyfus was described
with the conditions, and TO their great
surprise, "a striking resemblance was ap-
parent in the writings of Dreyfus and the
anonymous letter."
In reply to the usual question Dreyfus
said he had never held any conversation
with Colonel Sandherr the late chief OF
the intelligence department, who was so
little acquainted with him that he once
addressed him by another name.
The next witness was the former chief
OF the detective department Rochefort,
who was present when Dreyfus WAS con-
victed. Rochfort declared he knew abso-
lutely nothing of the Dreyfus case when
the minister of war, General MERCER. sum
moned him to confer with him on the sub
ject of the bordereau and the suspicious
in regard to Dreyfus, MERCER. Rochfort
continued, asked his advice as to the pro
ceedure which ought to be followed and
introduced him to Patty de Clam. Shortly
after NJ Bertillon's report the arrest OF
DrpVfus WAS decided on,
The witness proceeded to describe the
arrest and the famous scenes OF the die
tation test. saying that from the first re-
mark dropped by Patty de Clam the pris-
oner displayed evident uneasiness. Then,
said the eX-chlef of detectives, Patty de
Clam placing his hand on the prisoners
shoulder, said: Captain Dreyfus, in the
name OF the minister OF war, arrest
you"
AT the time OF the examination of the
prisoner the witness had the Impression
that he might be guilty and so reported
to the minister of war who requested his
opinion.
During this formal examination, Roche
fort added, Dreyfus protested his innocence
very violently, and declared he did not
know what they wanted or of what he was
accused.
After the remarks of NJ De Mango Colo
mel Jouaust invited Dreyfus to speak.
The prisoner replied: NO; l will re-
ply when Patty de Clam is here"
NJ Gribelin, the principal anarchist of
the headquarters staff was the next Wit
ness He testified with great volubility
and expressed the opinion that when Drey-
fus was arrested in 1894 he was enacting
a role by Systematically denying all the
charges against him, even the most OBJ
vious and least important things and in
declaring himself ignorant of matters
which should have been known to every
officer of the general staff Witness said
he was cognizant of Dreyfus' relations
with loose women. In support of this as
sertion he mentioned an alleged voluntary
statement made by Matthew Dreyfus,
brother of the prisoner, in the witness
presence that he had been obliged 10 pull
his brother from the clutches of woman
of this description living near the Champs
Elysee.
M. Grlbelin recapItulated the discovery
of the leakage at military headquarters,
the arrival of the bordereau, etc" ana
dwelt on the system OF espionage conduct
ed Under cover Of diplomatic immunity by
agents "a" "B" and &C" In regard to
the dictation test the witness recalled
Dreyfus' reply to Patty de Clam when tie
latter pointed out that his hands We're
shaking. namely: MY fingers are cold
A member OF the court martial re-
ferred TO NJ. Grihaln's statements CON
corning the use Colonel Picquart made OF
the secret service funds and the witness
admitted the truth of Plcquarts evidence
that the surveillance OF Esterhazy cost
but little.
Colonel Jouaust, the other judges ana
M. De Mango closely questioned Gribeiin
on various points aud In replying witness
impaired some information regarding the
petit bleu and the circumstances under
which the secret dossier was communicated
to Picquart.
Replying to De Mango Gribelin admitted
having mixed up Patty de CLAIMS ana
Henry's intrigues in favor OF Esterhazy.
The admission created a sensation. ~
was by order of Colonel Henry, the Wit
ness added, he (Gribelin) put on specta,
cles and went to the Rue de Douai 10 hano
Esterhazy a letter on which letter ne was
to report yes" or NO" 1t was asa
Henry who ordered witness to accompany
Patty de Clam to Montsurs peak where
Patty de Clam masqueraded under raise
beard.
Witness thought 1t would have been mncn
simpler TO have summoned EsterhaAy 10
the ministry of war, especially as II was
known Matthew Dreyfus was about 10 pup
licly dsnounce him. :.
De Mango remarked that the denuncia,
tion of Matthew Dreyfus could not wen
have been foreseen when these romantic
interviews with Esterhazy We're ,occurrins'