The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-23
THE WOMAN in WHITE
HOW SHE HAS WORKED FOR DREY-
FUs AGAINST THE NINE. PALS.
Her Identity as Constance De Martel
Only Revealed Since the Second
Trial of the Captain.
New York Herald.

from any phase of the intricate Dreyfus
case? Who is the woman who has attended
every session of the Zola, EsterhaZy and
Picquart trials? Who is the one woman
who secured a seat on the dias behind the
judges in the Lycee at Rennes when the
second trial OF Capt. Alfred Dreyfus begun
last week. Clad ever in white, she has
earned the inevitable soubriquet La Dame
Blanche. But what is 1t that holds her keen
interest in the case celebre? And who
knows her identity. These are questions
which have the deepest interest TO the
public of Paris to-day. They have the same.
If not a greater, interest in London, in
Berlin, in America; for at this distance
the scenes and incidents in the world
famous drama are seen In a splendid per-
s~pective, and the famous woman in white
is thrown out in especial prominence by
the very contrasts afforded by her sex and
her peculiar costume, not to mention her
unique interest. So the question is passed
from lip to lip. Who is the woman in
white? What is her interest in the famous
case?
are known to her. She is a pronounced
Dreyfusite. Her advocacy Of the innocence
of the harassed captain of artillery is well
KNOWN. Sne mas visited every vi
prominence concerned in the case to plead
his cause. She has offered her assistance
to his lawyers. She has rendered that as
| sistance unsolicited when the opportunity
\ has presented. Not a scene Of the great
conspiracy hag escaped her. What could be
witnessed of the early trial of Dreyfus she
has seen. Even the degradation Of the cap
tain before the public she saw. The trial
II - - 49,, che fnl-
lowed through it's minute details. The ses-
sions of Zola's trial she attended The sit
tings of the Court of Cessation all found her
attendant. Every feature of the case has
claimed her presence.
Now, with the new trial at Rennes. she
again appears upon the stage. She attended
the first day of the new trial as usual. But
her white costume was not so conspicuous
here. Perhaps IN recognition of the partial
victory gained by the new trial she wore on
trimmed with black and white. A pink bod
ice offset the plain white skirt. But the in
evitable string of gorgeous pearls was
there. for the lady is rich and fond of jew
els. Pearls are her especial delight, and she
always wears a splendid array of them,
The pearls then would have distinguished
her as effectively as the white costume had
ii not been conspicuous as usual. OF medium
stature and fairly heavy built, with blonde
and waving hair; with large and brilliant
Is indeed a striking figure in herself.
ALWAYS SENSATIONAL.
When she appears in court there is an
inevitable murmur. It was marked as usual
on Monday last. On Tuesday 1t again well
coined her. When the news of an encounter
she had on her way to the Lycee was whis-
pered about the keen interest she excited
was more intense. She was passing the
Seine In her carriage as usual. Looking out
she saw a news vender on the bridge pro-
claiming his wares. Nationalist newspapers
were prominent among his stores. She
stopped her carriage, Jumped out and
rushed up to the stand. Selling the offend
ing papers she hurled them INTO the river.
Then turning she handed the vender a 20
franc gold piece, Transforming his rage into
hysterical mirth. AS she re-entered her car
another. And SO it spread from mouth to
mouth, at last reaching the Lycee. where
she sat listening to the burden of the new
The attention she attracted gave her no
concern. She was intent upon her purpose
alone, and what others thought caused her
no uneaSineSS. But naturally her action
gave a new impetus to the question as to
her identity. Who is the famous La Dame
Blanche? they asked. At last the question
spondent led to the unraveling of the mys-
terry. Her name was Martoul, he cabled to
his paper. But this was untrue, it was
found. 1t furnished, however. the clew on
which to work, and the woman stood re-
Martel.
She boosted a small but select salon in
the old-fashioned villa where she lives in
the environs of Paris. 1t is essentially fin
de s steele c,a and n much mi, besSught by a re,
day. Small as this circle was 1t would be
astonishing that it did not betray her iden-
tity when her peculiar interest in the Drey-
fus case attracts public attention so strong
ly to her, but for one fact. 1t made a habit
Of keeping closely to itself and avoiding as
for ne = ~r1ls4 H.
dividual interests. 1t was absolutely un-
known to the usual habitues of Bohemian
resorts of Paris and prided itself upon its
select obscurity.
Comtesse De Martel then knew that she
was absolutely safe from Identification by
her friends. Others she did not fear. She
attention, but successfully obscured her
identity. A few beyond doubt knew her Sc
cret. but they could never be induced to
betray her. She was held In too high es-
TEEN to render such a possibility worthy Sc
rious consideration. Her wit and biting sa-
tire, M doubt inherited from her distin-
guished ancestor, the great Mirabeau, en-
shrined her queen among her friends, while
her geniality and extremely good nature
enabled her to maintain her power abso-
lutely. Her risque stories were much ap-
preciated, but never led to any liberty with
her or her fair name. To all she was known
as a faithful wife, good mother and stanch
THE THEATRICAL TRICK.
Until the Dreyfus case assumed interna.
tional proportions, though, this ultra-viva-
cious French woman had not startled the
world with any gaucherie or bizarre ex.
plot. But she yearned for a new experience
and Paris always yearns for a new sensa.
ton. Presto! comes on the stage a new
feminine figure, La Dame Blanche!"
Every phase of the Dreyfus affair was
marked by the presence Of this feecy, fas.
cinating. mysterious figure. Somehow. no
body could tell how, she always had the bes-
coign of vantage at every sitting of the
courts. Why her interest was so intense
and her sacrifice of comfort so continuou:
none could say.
Here is the secret exposed: She courteC
inquiry, while tantalizingly reserved and Sc
c%retive; but she had lie grande passion fol
the heroic figure in the center OF the stage
in this wonderful world drama. In her hear
of hearts this handsome. cultured, wealth,
woman adored Dreyfus. Viewed in thi.
light many things hitherto obscure are
cleared w. Her conspicuous presence at tn,
as the other feats she accomplished in the
cause of the martyred soldier. The mos
notable of these was her visit to the German
Emperor. Everyone will remember tn.
story that came from Berlin a few month,
ago. 1t told how a mysterious yelled WON
an had visited the Emperor and hesoughf
his interference in behalf of the beset Drey
fus. This mysterious woman was no Other
than La Dame Blanche. A daring anC
in accord with the character OF the won
derful woman. She travelled to Berlin IN
disguise. She sought in various channel
unsuccessfully for an interview with the