The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-11

Jouaust began ths examination of Drey-
fus respecting the famous bordereaux,
and what Dreyfus did with or could
have known of its conteuts.
When Dreyfus, wearing eyeglasses,
rose from his seat for examination, he
stood erect, holding his kepi in his
hand, before him. He looked Colonel
Jouaust straight in the face during the
whole interrogatory.
Colonel Jouaust began by saying: at
results from the documents just read
that you are accused of having brought
about Vaccinations or held relations
with foreign power, or one or more of
Its agents, in order to procure it means
by delivering it documents, indicated in
the nominating bordereau, to commit
hostihties or undertake war against
France. / notify you that you will be
allowed to state during the course of
these proceedings anything that appears
to you useful TOR your defense"
Dreyfus replied with vehement dec
laration of his innocence, repeating sew
eral times II am innocent" in a voice
which quivered with emotion. The ag-
onized manner in which he uttered his
protestations of innocence had q most
painful effect, and must have evoked
the sympathy even of his most inveter-
ate enemies.
Colonel Jouaust submitted Dreyfus to
q rigorous examination, more in the
style of a prosecuting counsel than a
judge, and made gestures of impatience
at some direct denials which Dreyfus
gave repeatedly to the judge questions.
The prisoners voice resounded FIRE.
quently through the courtroom as he
energetically replied: mo, my colo
mel, or "never, never, to questions put
to him.
After the court had decided not to ad.
journ on account of the absence of Ger.
tain witnesses, the clerk of the court
was ordered to read M. D'Ormes Che
ville's bill of Indictment of 1894, which
he did in a loud voice, Dreyfus mean
while, listening unmoved as the old
charges against him were read Colonel
Jouaust then handed the prisoner Ions
slip of cardboard, upon which the Dor
dereau was pasted:
"Do you recognize this document"
Dreyfus then replied, with passionate
outburst: mo, my colonel. 1 am in
nocent. declare it here as l declared
it in 1894, l am victlm'-his voicC
here was choked With sobs which mus
have stirred every spectator in court
The voice of the prisoner did not seen
human. 1t resembled the cry of {
wounded animal. AS he ended his re
ply, with the words--''five years in thC
galleys, My wife. My children. Ny
God. am innocent; innocent"
Colonel Jouaust said: "Then yol
deny it ?" Dreyfus replied; eyes, my
colonel"
Colonel Jouaust then read the Dor
dereau, and afterward asked CAPTAIN
Qreyfus series of questions regardin,
the documents it contained and the cap
talp's opportunities for procuring tn
information said to have been given ou
by him. The questions of Jouaust wer
those OF prosecutor rather than of
judge, but to all insinuation of gull
| Dreyfus gave vehement negative re
plies. When at one point Jouaust i'm
patiently said: "This is astonishing,
Dreyfus firmly replied, "what 1 say i
| correct"
The court adjourned after deciding t.
sit behind closed doors today and al
many following days as are necessary
for the examination of the secret dos
sier. The next public session will prob
ably take place next Saturday.
Major Esterhazy was one OF the wit
nesSes absent.
| Madame Dreyfus visit her husban,
and found him hopeful, although mucl
unnerved, as the rigorous examination
and especially the unfeeling demeano
displayed toward him by Colonel Jou
aust proved a tremendous strain upol
| him.
There were many persons who wer
present at the trial under the impres
sion that the harshness of the presiding
Judge was assumed and was intended t.
disarm the enemies of Drevfus. VIII,
were only anxious to interpret ordinar,
courtesy into the grossest partiality to
ward the prisoner. If this be the case
and such an explanation is quite plausi
BILE, Dreyfus is naturally unaware of it
and the effect upon his highly strung
nerves must be very severe.