Daily inter mountain., 1899-09-04

Rennes. Sept. 4.-The Dreyfus trial be-
gan today with the largest attendance
seen in the Lycee. The interest in the
trial grows as the denouement ap-
proaches. Six to ten days is given as the
outside limit for further duration of the
trial.
There was an exceptionally large pum-
Der of ladies present today, their bright
costumes giving a gay look to the court
room.
The session opened very interestingly
with the appearance of witness NJ. Ger
naschi. His features are unprepossess-
ing and his general appearance did very
little credit to the Servian royal house,
to which it is alleged he belongs. His
letter to Colonel Jouaust Offering his
testimony stated that having been mixed
up in political troubles in Austria Hun
gary he is obliged to seek refuge in
! France. where he had friend who was
high official of the foreign office of
! central European power. This friend,
the witness said. told him certain foreign
agents in France might denounce him,
the first name mentioned being that of
! Dreyfus. Another foreign officer. for
/ eign general of staff, similarly warned
him.
One day, the witness said, when he was
visiting the latter he saw him take from
his pocket voluminous package con-
tanning military documents. The officer
said that in France one could buy any,
thing. adding:
What is the good of the Jews if you
don't use them?''
Beng asked If he ascertained the name
of the traitor in this case, Cernaschi re-
Piled:
mo; because the officer had already
said Dreyfus was his informant"
This answer and tone in which it was
delivered evoked a movement of incred-
ulity among the audience.
Major Carriere asked that the court
hold further examination of this witness
behind closed doors in view of the diplo-
matte side of this testimony
Labori then announced that since the
| prosecution had summoned the aid of
| foreigners, he intended to make formal
| applicat ation to have complete steps taken
| through foreign channels to ascertain
whether the documents mentioned in the
| bordereau were delivered to a foreign
power, and if so, by whom.
! This announcement, if Colonel Jauaust
consents to the application, will have
most important consequences
The words of Labor created a deep
impression, as they made it evident that
counsel for the defense is on the war;
! path today.
| The second witness called was NJ.
Andre, clerk to NJ. Bertullus. judge of the
court of cassation who received the con-
fession of the late Lieutenant Colonel
Henry. Andre deposed that he overheard
! Henry eXclalm:
Don't insist, I beg of you. The honor
of the army must be saved before every
thing
| The next important witness was the
well known mathematician, Painleve,
who began by tearing Bert,llon's system
of augmentation to pieces. Painleve
then entered upon personal topic which
quickly won him close attention of the
audience and brought on a dramatic
scene which kept the spectators in a
| state of excitement until he finally left
the bar. Paineve referred to his evil
dence at the court Of cessation and pro-
tested vehemently against the version
given by General Gonse of the conversa-
! tlOn WITH NJ. f1audndrO, COUSIN OF Dfey-
fus, in which Hadamard expressed the
! belief in the guilt of Dreyfus.
Never" explained Paineve, "did Had
amard doubt the innocence of his cousin"
Gonse asked to be heard and mounted
/ the stage. After declaring the whole
matter was insignificant General Gonse
| insinuated that the faith of Hadamard
and Plainleve in the innocence of Drey-
I fus must have been strengthened re-
Gently.
Plainleve replied warmly insisting that
he never had any doubt of Dreyfus in
nocence. The two men Went at it ham,
mer and tongs. Plainleve facing Gonse
! with his arms folded and thrust his
questions and retorts until Gonse be-
came red in the face.
Then Roget Joined in the discussion.
| Labori began the cross-examination Of
Gonse regarding certain documents in
the secret dossier, to which Gonse had
+, reference. but which had not been SUBJ
mitted to the court. Labori not receive