The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-08-23

I
ing great service if his efforts resulted
in establishing the innocence Of a man
who had worn the uniform of a French
officer; secondly, that 1 was convinced
of the guilt of Dreyfus.
M. Demange-Did you not once make
the following remark: This Jew was a
thrust at headquarters, and we had to
get rid of bim?"
Colonel Bertin-No, never I absolute
ly deny it. When 1 was in the war Of
flee the Jewish question was never rails
ed Dreyfus was regarded as a COM
rade. I confided all my secrets to him
and gave him the password of my lock-
er.
A number of official reports were here
read, unanimously recognizing Dreyfus
as brilliant officer who was anxious
to succeed. The reports of the head
quarters staff alone cast imputations
upon the prisoners character.
M. Labori asked the COURTS leave,
with the permission of Lieutenant Colo
mel Berlin, to question the witness on
delicate subject He referred to q re-
mark made by Berth at dinner at
which M. Labori was present, at the
house of mutual friend, a fortnight
after the degradation of Dreyfus II
have absolute confidence in the good
faith of Lieutenant Colonel Bertin,"
added M. Labori, land / am convinced
that if his recollectons are exact enough
he will not hesitate to reply"
Colonel Berth asked the lawyer to
| mention the name of the mutual friend
who gave the dinner NJ Labori whis-
| pered the name and the witness nodded
| assent.
M. Labori-Do you remember that
you were among the first to suggest to
me belief in the innocence or Drey-
fus?
Bertin-No, no; it is impossible.
M. Labori-Does the witness remem-
Der that during the course of the din
| ner he became excited in talking about
Dreyfus?
The lieutenant colonel pointed out
that the terms Of intimacy which pre-
vailed at the dinner must be taken into
account, reminded M. Labori that he
was an old friend of his fathers and
wondered whether counsel was still the
same man who, taking the witness
hands on the occasion Of the dinner,
said: II will never forget what you
nave done Tor my father
II do not forget the words" said M.
Labori, his voice trembling at the recol-
lection; but I am referring specially to
the somewhat strong remarks you made
against Maitre Demange. / am not
seeking to provoke scene between
Lieutenant Colonel Berth and Maitre
Demange. Did you not say to me when
spoke of Maitre Demange's belief in
the innocence Of Dreyfus: 'Demange!
Don't mention him. He is counsel for
the German embassy" (Cries of "Ohl
Oh!")
M. Bertin-If I can remember | will
reply. I am here to tell the truth, and
I will tell all I know. I am here for the
truth, like you.
M Labori-When I asked why you
said that, you replied that M. Demange
had already defended other spies, and
that he was an official defender.
Lieutenant Colonel Berth admitted
the truth Of this.
M. Labori-You should be sure re-
garding the intervention of Maitre De-
mango, because barrister of his stand
ing is not appointed officially unless
there are important reasons for it.
Counsel proceeded to relate how, when |
he left Lieutenant Colonel Berth, he
discussed the above conversation with |
his wife, and wondered what security |
could be found in the oath or Judgment |
of men who readily believed things so |
ridiculous. "My belief in the innocence |
of Dreyfus,' NJ Labori added, 'began !
on that day. I give you my word of |
honor that Lieutenant Colonel Berth |
n t,,ift tod hot I,o Io1
Maitre Demange saying 1t was because |
he defended Dreyfus badly by persist |
ing in making Dreyfus deny all the |
charges against him. Lieutenant Colo |
mel Berth evidently thought Maitre De- |
mango ought to have Joined with the |
others in trying to convict Dreyfus"
Colonel Jouaust here declared the in |
cident closed M. Demange however,
interposed saying: you WILL however,
allow me to appear on the scene"
Gaughter) Mr. Demange said that he
preferred to speak in the presence of
Lieutenant Colonel Berth, and remark
ed:
''As the trial of Dreyfus was held be-
hind closed doors Lieutenant Colonel
Berth could not know whether I de-
Tended him well or ill.,. Lieutenant
Colonel Berth replied: II heard of the
speech for the defense afterwards"
M. Demange then said that the fact
that he was chosen to defend spies was
proof of his discretion.
MAJOR GENDRON'S TESTIMONY.
A brief adjournment followed, and
when the court resumed its session Ma
Jor Gendron was called to testify re-
gardfng the Austrian woman, Nine. |
DEFY. He said that he had taken tea at
her house on q single occasion, and
that he thereafter confined himself to
few polite words with her
when they met, though she urged his
revisiting her house. He thought that
the woman's mode Of dressing and the
of her existence could not be
accounted for. The witness felt that
he was dealing with an adventures.
He heard that she had fine acquaint-
ances, including Dreyfus, and, in view
Of the fact that in such companionship
Dreyfus was liable to commit some i'm
prudent action, the witness informed |
Lieutenant Colonel Berth of his fears.
Referring to the organization of the | ;
department Major Gendron
said that he had viewed with deep pain ;
the destruction of all the work the ,
great patriot Colonel Sandherr, had