The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-30

Il
| Same attempt as General Merrief Il
confound Captain Freystaetter, saying
/ that the leakage in regard to the Robin
/ Shell were only reported in 1S96-9S
! which he said. necessarily invalidated
the captains statement thar these leak.
| ages formed the object Of the part OF
| the secret dossier III 1904
| Dreyfus entered strong denial Of
many of Reget's statements
Colonel Fleur appeared ON the witt
ness box to refute Colonel Cordier's
| testimony. He declared that August
| 23rd. 1898. Colonel Cordier said to him:
"Dreyfus is guilty, but there must be
| two others. There are three OF them
Colonel Cordier shrugged his should
ers and admitted that just week be-
fore the arrest Of Henry, he said for
gerry had been committed ut the head
quarters staff. but the Colonel added
he told the same thing to others the
day after the posting up OF the speech
of NJ. Cavaignac, then Minister OF
War. was voted by the Chamber OF
Deputies.
General Mercier caused a sensation
by endorsing Colonel Cortlieris state
ment with reference to the alleged at
onel Sandherr The General said:
when Colonel Sandherr reported in
terview and | asked him his opinion OF
it, Sandherr replied:
"'He gave ME the impression of be-
ing an honest man resolved 10 sacrifice
everything for his brother.
This statement caused commoflon
After a brief adjournment the session
of the court was continued, the name
of NJ De Freycinet was called, and
amidst suppressed excitement. the for
mer Minister of War, former Minister
of Foreign Affairs. and former Premier,
took the witness stand.
Mnitre Demange proceeded to qlles-
ton the former Minister. Counsel re-
called General Mercier's statement that
NJ lie Freycinet told General lamont
that thirty-fve million francs had been
raised abroad for the defense of Drey-
fus. In reply NJ. De Freycinet express
ed the anguish which he felt ut the sight
of the trouble into which has country
was plunged and said his whole desire
was to see peace and calm restored.
In regard to the conversation referred
to. the witness said:
General lamont made me a visit of
courtesy on the occasion of my quitting
office In regard to the Dreyfus case,
/ was led to say that our agents abroad
reported that efforts had been made ON
the initiative of private individuals. in
behalf of this campaigna very disin-
terested campaign in France, | ann
sure. but less so abroad. / reported the
estimates heard That, Monsieur le
President, is a resume, as complete and
faithful as my recollection permits OF
the conversation with General lamont.
What struck me most was the identity
of our anxiety in regard to the army.
We mutually expressed uneasiness, for
it must not be concealed that the pres
ent attacks have had a profound effect
which might eventually endanger the
cohesion Of the army. You know well,
gentlemen, there is higher discipline
than even the military code. as ! sand in
the Chamber. 1t is that more rigorous
discipline which comes from the conf
dence of the soldier in his chiefs How
can that confidence be maintained if
these chiefs are Denoted daily in the
blacklist colors? Was it not to be
feared that at a given moment this
confidence would disappear and what
would be the result if we were engaged
in external difficulties? (Sensation.)
Il adjure those of my countrymen.' y
continued NJ. De Freycinet, earnestly.
who participated in these acts under the
impulse of generous passion and with
the object of serving noble elevated
idea to take heed of the dangers in which
they may involve the country.
LET us cease throwing in one anoth-
er's faces accusuations which discredit
us in the eyes Of our rivals. Gentlemen,
let us prepare to accept your judgment
with respect and silence. May the
Judgment of this French court, towards
which the whole world has its eyes turn
ed, open up the era of reconciliation
which is so necessary" qmmense ex-
citement)
M. Labor: rs NJ. De Freycinet
aware of any fact which led him to be-
Heye foreign money has played a part
in fhe revision of the trial or 1892"
M. De Freycinet: mo, no; Monsieur
lie President"
The court at noon adjourned until to-
morrow.