The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-17

ly authorized the prosecution Of DreyfuS.
M. HanoteauX alone made some reserva-
tions or diplomatic objections based on
the place where the document was found !;
but it was agreed that in the event of
the cOurt-martialing of Dreyfus, measures
should be taken to prevent mention of the
| name of any power. From that day the
witness had learned nothing whatever of
| the case personally, as it was in the
hands of the military authorities. M.
Guerin, at that time, had never heard
OF the secret documents, and none was
ever communicated to the cabinet. He
only learned of the existence of the all
legged secret documents during the Zola
trial, and only learned of the alleged con-
| fession of Dreyfus to Capt. Lebrun-Re-
nault from the newspapers. Gen. Mercier
never mentioned the confession to the
cabinet.
Col. Jouaust then questioned the wit
ness, saying:
IN. Colbert an expert, has declared
that you summoned him to your office to
give you information about the Dreyfus
affair. Do you remember the occurrence2
Did he not say on entering, pointing to
the clock, Monsieur lie Minister de JUS
tice, fear lest at this hour a grave mis-
take is being cOmmitted?' Is it not fact
that you did not reply, but when M. Go
bert was leaving recommended him to OBJ
serve extreme caution as the govern
ment was desirous of keeping the treason
secret, dreading particularly indiscretions
upon the part of the press, and, above
all, upon the part of the Libre Parole,
as the suspected officer was Jew?'
NJ Guerin replied: Il cannot affirm
whether or not 1 received M. Colbert, but
what 1 can affirm is that if lEe came
did not employ the language mentioned,
and [ made none of the statements he
attributes to me-"
TORTURE OF DREYFUS.
M. Lebon, former minister of the colo
nies, was then summoned to testify re-
garding his treatment of the prisoner.
He said that when the cabinet was asked
to intervene in favor of a revision, he
thought the executive should not inter
fere with the judiciary, and his respect
for the chose jugee was strengthened by
his personal opinion of the culpability of
the condemned.
"On my soul and conscience" declared
M. Lebon, dramatically, 81 say I regard
the measures I took relative to the pris-
oner on the Isle du Diable as warranted,
and if had to repeat them I would not
hesitate"
NJ. Lebon then explained the reasons
for the rigorous measures against Drey-
fuS. He said q certain telegram sent to
French Guiana disappeared. 1t was
traced out of France, but Immediately it
reached the English lines it disappeared,
showing, the witness said, that efforts
were being made to enable the prisoner
to evade the regulations. Rigorous, even
painful measures were, therefore, taken
to prevent his escape. M. I.ebon there
fore issued orders that, if necessary, the
prisoner was to be fired upon. (Sensa-
tion) Continuing M. Lebon said he also
issued orders that only copies of the let
ters addressed to the prisoner should be
delivered to him, the originals being re-
tanned. The witness was informed, Aug
10, that an American vessel passed the
Isle de Salut, and orders were then is,
sued that Dreyfus was to be shot on the
slightest alarm.
Referring to the Weyler forgery, which
was Intended to convey the impression
that Dreyfus was in communication with
outside sYmpa thiZers, NJ Lebon said he
frankly admitted that he believed in its
authenticity, as did Col. Fiequart until
long after it's production
M. Lebon next referred to the numerous
rough drafts the prisoner made of his let
terS before finally dispatching them At
this point M Demange interrupted the
witness and said:
Il passed from surprise to surprise.
Yesterday it was a witness playing the
part Of prosecutor. Today one witness
defends himself by saying his conscience
conscience. But ask him If he finds it
surprising that this man, alone out there
on lost islard, should have poured out
his soul on paper? I ask again Whv Won
allowed the forged Weyler letter, in
which handW riting was indicated, to
reach DreYfus?"
To this M. Lebon replied: 'rIye could
not give up the original. But, the idea
never occurred TO any agents of the ad-
mln1stration to subject Dreyfus to the
savage and atrocious treatment which
has been spoken Of
CAUSED A SENSATION.
Col. Jouaust addressing Drevfus
asked: Did you receive the letter lust
referred to?"
Dreyfus replied: Yes, my colonel
Nhat impression did 1t make on you?''
understood nothing of what it con-
tanned, answered the prisoner. (Sensa-
ticn.)
At this juncture some time was occu-
PEG IN reading a long report from the
minister of the colonies to the minister,
of war, giving the various reports of Tho
governors of French Guiana. Passages
describing the dread the prisoner ex
pressed to the doctors when he feared
he was losing his reason, caused an inn
meuse impression Tears were even seen
to glisten in the eyes of Gen. BiI!ot. the
former minister of war
At the conclusion of the ropor+ 1r
LeDon asked leave to explain He said:
do not dispute the accuracy of the
report, but it IS partial Reference hae
been most carefully made to the nreoari-
Gus health of the prisoner But the doc
Tor never made a communication to mo
on the subject. I do not hesitate to saw
mat II ne mac done so, I should have
gwen orders TO have the prisoner +reata5
&c. Oh Z
WIN temperate intent that [ have heen
treated as an executioner"
~, Jouaust turning to Dreyfus. then
remarked; Have YOU anything to GOV, In
regard to this deposition?" -
Ihen the prisoner said:
NO my colonel I am here to defond
my honor. L do not wish to sncaIr -
of the atrocicus suffering T,byts,an, mere ..
moral, which for five years a TTro,toI' t,ttO
man ard IN innocent man, was snbiootna
to on the Isle du DiabIe.' -"
The remarks of Dreyfus caused in+op.o
excitement in court
me prisoner uttered the words IN O
Ioud voice and with tremendous enero,,1
WHICH created profound sensation The
ouuiel'ce 1te mad not recovered from the
eLhouon caused by the scene whom ATr,a
Henry in deep mourning. apneared =,
court and entered the witness hoy o,,,t,
PIoLouhd silence. Her statements wera
rather commonplace
GEN. R0GET's TRADE
Gen. Roget followed. He traversaa
the old ground, giving his reasons for for
Els conviction of the guilt of DrevfIIs
ne ae declared there was no charge against
Esterhazy with the exception of the re-
semoiance of his handwriting to that of
oaao5 o9e 1ofqereau. Moreover, the witness
AIDED, there had been a new fact since
the Judgment of the court Of cassatio,,
namely, Esterhazy's confession thai he
wrote the bordereau. But, he added. Es1
terhazy advanced and Withdrew his CON
tession intermittently. If Esterhazv had