Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-12
Dreyfns will have to be degraded here
within eight days.
nepn nvas~ Liner DIn,, 80, r,..a..

/ p
Demange's Last Plea for Justice.
Rennes, Sept. Shy Associated
Press. 1.-The, court room was packed
at the opening this morning, many
having remained all night in order to
retain good seats. Even standing room
at the back brought fifteen and twenty
francs.
Demange occupied the entire ses-
sion with plea in behalf of the plis-
oner, and will talk two hours and
half tomorrow. 1t was very effective
throughout, and highly dramatic at
times. Labor declined to affirm or de-
ny the truth of the report that he had
decided not to speak for the defense
on the ground that his appearance
might be prcjudicial to'his clients in
terests. There seems to be a sharp
difference of opinion between him and
Demange. Demange began his address
by protesting against the allegation OF
one of the witnesses that whoever be-
lieved in the innocence of Dreyfns was
against the army, and the country.
The counsel declared that neither him
self nor Labori would be here if that
We're true. Demange said ne was a
Frenchmau, the son OF a soldier, and
that he had revered and loved his
country from childhood and had en-
dured fortunes when he saw tempest
ofmadness swept OVERT. When he knew
there was immured on Devils Island n
man whom he believed from the bot
tom OF his heart TO be martyr he be-
gan to wonderifdiyine justice had been
done him. He became convinced that
lit had not, and he was pursuing an UNI
deviating course. free from anger or
passion. doing his duty as the Judges
would do theirs, to the end that jas
tice might be done. Demunge said he
wished to clearly define the prisoners
position.
When the case of revision began
Dreyfus was a convict and serious pre-
sumptions Of his innocence were nee
essary before the case could be taken
up by >the court of cessation. Today
it is for the public prosecutor to prove
his guilt. Let no one blame us, there
fore. if we have not proved the inno-
cence of our client. The task is not
incumbent upon us. 1t is for the gov
eminent commissioner to show that he
is guilty" Demange protested against
the suggestion thai an attempt had
been made to Esterhazy on trial. ex>
planning that all the defense desired
was that the innocence at Dreyfus
should appear and that the courtmar-
tial Should proclaim it. The counsel
was satisfied that the judges OF 81
We're honest like the present Judges.
But if the former had seen Esterhazy's
handwriting they would have pro-
nounced :, different verdict.
Demange then dwelt on the constan.
declarations OF his innocence by The
prisoner from first 10 last. and read /,
family written from DEVILS Island in
suhstantiation of his position. Five
ministers of war; said Demange, pro
nounced Dreyfns guilty, while admit
ting it impossible to produce proof.
Boisdetfre, Gonse and Roget also affirm
ed belief in his guilt. but instead of
proofs. showed only accumulated pre-,
sumptions.
The sixth document was the letter
written by Count Won Nlunster-Lelen-
burg, the German ambassador to
France from Germany, 10 Colonel
Schwartzkoppen, the military attache
of Germany at Paris. containing the
words" sregardsDrayfus,w are easy
Demange pointed out that Dreyrus
was the universal topic in Germany ut
the time. and at first German officials
might be uneasy but evidently reas-
sured themselves. The counsel was in
dignant because Ledenburg had not
expressly declared Dreyfus innocent,
when the prosecution deduccd an
ayowal of guilt. In regard to the let
tiers sent by Major Panizzardi to his
chief, it has been alleged that they
proved Dreyfus had relations With
Schwartzkoppen. whereas. in reality.
Panizzardi merely denied that. Drev-
fns had any relations with Italy II
was impossible to doubt the authentic
ity of these facts. 1t was incredible
that acknowledgment and Panizzardi
deceived their governments. The onis-
sion of Esterhazy's name from these
letters was intentional. The state
ments of military attaches that they
had no relations with Dreyfus is con-
firmed by statement Of minister jim
the reichstag. Il have finished" said
Demange, ''thc examination of the
secret Iossier. All France knows the
worthlessness of its contents. The Sc
cret dossier has been exploded A
brief adjournment was here announc-
ed. The counsel was warmly applaud
ed as they took their seats.
The counsel acknowledged the hon
esty aud honorable conduct of the gen
erals, but asserted that the conditions
were such that they World necessarily
be preindiced. Dealing With the con
fession OF du Patty de Clam. Demang>
sad that the prisoner alleged words
grew out OF The ideas that de Cam pre-
vously expressed to the prisoner, ami
that the Imagination played a large
part in his report. 1t MIS- significant
that this report had Disappeared. De
clam had evidently forgotten his re-
marks to Dreyfus as lie had forgotta;
other facts, Demangc said ne was sur.
prised at the attitude Gonse showed
towards the alleged confessions. and
marveled at the fact that Captai,
Lebrun-Renault. who was sent to this
Elze paiace expressly 10 repeat the con
| fessions, did not mention them: Ike
\ wise it is ineNplicahle that Saussicl
and Mercier took no steps TO verify
q.