THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : FRIDAY , AUGUST 25 , 1899. t )
1IERC1ER IS HARD PRESSED
Labori Pir.es Questions at Him Which H
f Declines to Answer.
MOST EXCITING SCENE.OF . THE TRIAL
Important Atlmlnnlonn Mnilo by Presi
dent ot tlie VlTHt DrcXu * Court-
.Miirtlnl-Snndlicrr I
tvlth Ministry.
HENNES , Aug. 24. When the fourth ses-
ulon of the third week of the Drey
fus trial opened at the Lycco huro
at 6:20 : n. m. today Colonel
Jouaust , president of the court , ordered
that the evidence given by M. Penot , a
friend of the late Colonel Sandherr , chief
of the Intelligence department , bu read-by
the clerk of the court. It was to the effect
that Colonel Saodhcrr said the Dreyfus
family offered him 160,000 francs on condi
tion , that he would clear Diuytus.
M. Dcmango , for the defense , disposed ot
this allegation by reading the actual note
on tbo subject written by Sandherr ,
thereby proving that the colonel's remarks
had been distorted , Dreyfus' brothers hav
ing only said : "Wo are convinced of the
innocence of our brother and will spend
our cntlro fortune to discover the truth. "
The testimony ot the flrst witness of the
day , M. Llnolle , a former official ot the
government , tfas also In favor of Droyfus ,
as It wag In direct contradiction of what
M. Brleul deposed yesterday regarding the
alleged Intimacy of Dreyfus with the Ger
man attache at the house of M. Bodson , a
mutual friend.
The president of the court then called
the next witness , Colonel Maurel , who was
president of the Dreyfus court-martial In
1894. Complete silence fell upon the court
as the Infantry sergeant who was acting as
uafhcr Conducted Maurel to the witness bar.
The colonel was attired In n black frock
coat and wore the red ribbon of the
Legion of Honor In his buttonhole. His hair
Is gray and ho has a ragged , iron-gray mus
tache. His face showed anxiety. As M.
Laborl Itishcd him with pointed questions
the colonel hesitated nnd then answered IM
a short , choppy manner , nnd when M.
Laborl finally disposed of blm the witness
left the platform with the pale face and
Beared look of a man who has awakened
from a nightmare. Counsel had drawn
from the colonel a confession that the
secret dossier was communicated to the
judges of the court-martial of 1894 by
Colonel Du Paty do Clam. This avowal
produced a sensation in court and Jlnurcl'a
declaration that ho only read ono of the
documents did not affect the mal'ntfact , that
the reading of the document had no effect
upon him , as his mind was already made up ,
was nullified by his subsequent declaration
that this one document sufficed to convince
him. <
Mcrcicr on the Itnclc.
M. .Laborl then put a series ot searching
questions to General Mercler with reference
to the communication ot the secret dossier
to the court-martial and , his attitude in
1894 , and aa interesting sscno ensued. The
general refused to reply to all ( Jhe questions
and there were sharp passages-at-arms be
tween counsel and Colonel Jouaust , who up
held General Morcler , whllo the dialogue be
tween the general and M , Laborl became
acrimonious. Counsel became very heated
and showed It in bis voice and gestures.
The general , .however troubled his mind
might bo , seldom departed from the callous
Mneanor characteristic of himself.
The lawyer made a strong point on the
' t Esterhazy flayed. Meroler said bo did
| , knowllEster.haz , a id.qnly saw J lm once
nt the Zold trlab
"That is very interesting , " exclaimed M.
Laborl. "But surely General Mercler was
present at the Esterbazy trial ? "
The general replied that bo was not there
and that ho knew nothing about the evl-
denco in the Estcrhazy prosecution. .
" Vhat , " cried J.I. . Laborl , "General Mer-
clor , who was the chief accuser of tfreyfus ,
did not oven follow tbe proceedings In the
Esterhazy trial ? "
A loud murmur of surprise and indignant
comment came from tbe audience , but Col
onel Joua'ust immediately suppressed It.
Counsel then brought General Mercler to
his assertion that 35,000,000 francs were
sent by the defenders of Dreyfus and asked
the general to eay how ho know this , who
spent it , and other awkward questions which
tbe general was unable to answer.
A question as to liow the bordereau ar
rived at the offices of the general staff , its
date , etc. , was then Introduced , which led
to a strange scene for a court of law.
All AVnut to Talk.
General Roget , on mounting the platform
to glvo explanations , was followed by Gen
T f eral de Bolsdettre , M. Gribelln , Major Lauth
and other military witnesses , all holding
up their hinds to signify that they desired
to npe k , while at the same tlmo M. Laborl
was firing questions. The result was a per
fect babel until the president , of the court
could stand it no longer , andwhen the gov
ernment commissary , Major Carrlere , also
interpolated a few remarks , Colonel Jouaust
turned to blm and asked him to be quiet ,
remark-Ing that the judges could not hear
bait a dozen people at the same tlmo.
During the course of the morning M.
Laborl questioned General Mercler with
reference to a document In the secret dos
sier , which1 U is affirmed existed prior to
1894 , and y.ot was not produced at the first
court-martial of tbo prisoner.
The general confessed that ho did not
konw of its existence , and the eama state
ment was elicited from General Gonso , who
declared that Colonel Sandherr was respon
sible for ita non-production.
These replica were tantamount to a con
fession that Colonel Sandherr and Lieuten
ant Colonel Henry played with the minister
of war , and even that General Gonae , assist
ant chief ot ' the headquarters staff , the
chief of the intelligence department , kept
" from the two latter just what he pleased.
Then M. Lahorl proceeded to take up the
Pantzzardl dispatches to bring out the con
tradictory translations ot it and the false
ness of the final version.
After hearing General iMerclor and General
Cbanolno on the subject Colonel Jouauat
declared the court would rule tbo dispatch
out of order.
The examination of General Mercler hav
ing been concluded , Colonel Jouaust naked
Dreyfus if he had anything to say , nnd the
prisoner , in & calm voice , replied to Mer-
cler'o statement that ho ( Oroyfus ) could
have obtained tho. information about the
artillery promised lu tbo bordereau while
etaylng at Bourges , whore artillery trials
ere being bold. Dreyfus entered Into an
explanation as to how be spent bs | time ,
MUNYON'S
guarantee
that my Kidney Cure
will cur 00 per cent.
of all formi of kidney
complaint and la
many luitances tbe
moat scrloui fornii ot
Bright' ! disease , It
tbe disease U com
plicated tend a four *
ounce vial of urine.
AVe will analyze it
and oilvlBo you free
KIDNEY CURE
showing that ho did not Inform himself
about the trial * of the now nun brake.
General IDsbourg recounted what Captain
LcbrunMlennult said about Dreyfus , and
this brought the latter to his feet with a
thrilling declaration. He pointed out that
the captain shook him by the hand when ho
returned to the prison , which Is at variance
with what General Illebourg recounted ,
"Moreover , " continued Dreyfus , "when a
frightful chargd has been hanging over a
mnti'o hoail for over five years people ought
not to talk of convictions , but should bring
proofs. Otherwise I cease to understand
the matter. "
This Indignant protest caused a deep sen
sation In court.
Continuing , Dreyfus proceeded to totally
deny the story that ho had made n confes
sion to Captain Lebnm-Honault.
Proceeding ! ! In Detail.
Following arc the proceedings In detail :
At the opening of the proceedings this
morning Colonel Jouaust ordered that the
evidence of 1'cnot , a friend of the late Colonel
nel Sandherr , chief of he Intelligence de
partment , bo read by the court , wlilch was
done. This testimony , ns given before the
court of cassation , sot forth that Colonel
Sandhorr told M , Penot that the brothers of
Dreyfus had offered 150,000 francs to settle
the case , adding that Sandherr was so In
censed at the proposal that ho ordered them
out of his office.
M. Demange , as a counterblast , read a
note written by Sandherr the same day the
Interview with the brothers of Dreyfus took
place. It appeared from this note that the
brothers Imagined a plot was bolng hatched
against Captain Dreyfus because he was a
Jew. They maintained the captain's Inno
cence and declared they would do every
thing In their power to obtain his rein
statement , saying that If necessary they
would spend their whole fortune to arrive
at the truth and would Oo everything to
that cndi Counsel pointed out that there
were serious discrepancies between M.
1'enot's written statement that money was
offered and Colonel Sandhorr's letter.
At the request of M. Laborl , the president
of the court permitted M. Ltnollc , a former
official of the government , to testify. The
witness eald ho had also dined at M. Bod-
son's In company with Dreyfus , and declared
ho did not believe Dreyfus was capable of
the crime for which ho had been sentenced.
M. Laborl Were there any foreigners at
M. Bodson's house ?
SI. Llnolle I do not remember.
M. Laborl Do you remember seeing any
foreign diplomats tbero ?
M. Llnolle Not at all. Besides , M. BoJson
was not of foreign extraction. Ho was the
son of nn Orleans vinegar merchant.
I'rcHlilcnt ot Fir/it Trial Testifies.
There was considerable stir In court when
the name of Colonel Maurol , who was presi
dent of the Dreyfus court-martial of 1891 ,
was called , anxl the colonel appeared at the
witness bar. Ho started by emphatloally
denying that any communication , verbal or
written , was made to the members of the
court'during the course of. the trial. He
said they only knew the case from the docu
ments In the dossier and the testimony
given. Then the colonel , saying ho only
desired to speak of matters , upon which his
recollection was clear , proceeded to declare
that ho had nothing to say In regard to
the expert evidence of M. Charavay , M.
Toyasonlercs or M. Pelletler. but , he added ,
M. Bcrtlllon's evidence appealed to the eyes
and minds of the judges. It had been said
that the judges did not understand It , but
that was not true.
Regarding the evidence given at the court-
martial of 1894witness said ho considered
that Major Du Paty do Clam had only
given the court a circumspect repetition of
his report , while the late Lieutenant Colonel
Henry's evidence would have been more
forcible If less exaggerated. At the same
tlmo , Maurel continued , ho believed Henry
had spoken without hatred or passion.
The prisoner's attitude at the trial was
correct and calm. Hlsrrepeated denials and
protests were far from' astonishing the wit
ness. They seemed perfectly natural. The
only letter handed to Colonel Maurel during
the course of the trial was not brought
by Colonel Ploquart. The letter , moreover ,
was returned the same evening to the
officer who brought It.
Replying to M. Laborl , Maurel said ho did
not know General Morcler and had never
seen him since the trial until .Tune last.
Mlnil Already Mmlc Up ,
W. Laborl Can Colonel Maurel tell us to
what he attributes the secret communication
of itho dossier ?
Colonel Maurel I have not the slightest
Idea.
Idea.M.
M. Laborl Can you tell the name of tbo
officer who 'brouchit ' you the private loiter ?
Colonel Maurel It was Du Paty do Clam.
( Sensation ) .
M. Laborl Were there many documents In
this secret dossier ? Can you state what
they were ?
Colonel Maurel I only saw ono of them.
I did not look at the others because niy
mind was already made up.
M. Laborl Had the other members of the
court also made uo their minds ?
Colonel Maurol Yes.
Witness added that two members ot thn
court confided to him on this subject.
JI. Laborl Can you tell us how , knowing ,
as the judge , that It was your duty to seek
conscientiously for Information and * o ex
pect sincere communication : from the pub
lic prosecutor , that is to say , communica
tions setting forth all the points In the
cose , both for and aatnst the prisoner , you
could bo ot the oolnlan that your mind
was legally made up after reading a single
document ? ( Prolonged sensation ) .
Colonel Maurel said ho failed to clearly
grasp the question , and M , Laborl repeated
his query , whereupon the witness replied
that ho could not answer because If ho did
he would have to speak of the first document
In the dossier , "which convinced the court
ot tbo prisoner's guilt. "
lAt this point M. Laborl said ho would like
to confront Colonel Maurel with Captain
Froystaoter , another of the judces at the
court-martial of 1894. But Freystaeter was
not present , and Colonel Maurel promised
to wait a few days and give the captain an
opportunity of attending.
A lively Incident followed. M. Laborl
having asked leave to Interrogate General
Mercler , the government commissary , Major
Carrloro , took occasion to remark that while
counsel bad the right to ask questions , he
had no buslncts to draw deductions , to
which tbo lawyer replied that he had al
ways acted with a full knowledge of the re
strictions imposed upon counsel and that bo
had no need ot lessons from Major Carriers
nnd Would not accept them.
Mercler Uxpecti a noant.
General Morcler was then recalled and It
was noted that ho bad donned hte uniform
for the flrst tlmo. The Impression thereby
created was that the general , expecting a
hot cross-examination , thought that his uni
form would perhaps protect him.
M. Laborl Bald ho desired to know if
General Mercler admitted ordering Colonel
Maurel to communicate secret documents to
tbo court-martial of 1894.
General .Mercler I knew I did not have
the right to give formal orders to that
effect , but I have moral orders in a manner
sufficiently clear , ( Sensation. )
Counsel proceeded to closely question the
general , referring to the "Dlxl" article In
the Libra Parolo.
Morcler replied that he was BO accustomed
to violence from the press that ho paid no
attention to that article. He added that ho
paid no more attention to the eulogies of the
Libre Parole than to the statements of other
newspapers.
Replying to further questions , the general
said that when Dreyfus woa arrested he
knew of no other proof against him than
tbo bordereau. There were , therefore , only
suspicions , but It was urgently necessary
not to lose tlmo in arresting him la orier '
to stop tbe treasonable practices.
M , Laborl here asked Colonel Jouaust to
secure the evidence ot M. Papllland , editor
of the Libre Parole , In regard to the "Dlxl"
letter. In which tbe name ot Dreyfus was
disclosed as that of the officer arrested for
espionage.
As Colonel Jouaust hesitated , M , Laborl
Insisted upon the necessity for an examina
tion of Papllland , "In order to reach the
truth I am seeking for. The whole responsi
bility for this case , " counsel added , "I be
lieve really rests upon the late Lieutenant
Colonel Henry and Colonel Du Paty do
Clam. "
Resuming the examination ot General
Mercler , M. Laborl asked him several ques
tions as to why he at the first ascribed the
date of the bordereau to April. General Mer
cler said that in 1894 he was only acquainted
with the scncral reasons which existed for
believing Drovtus guilty and had not paid
much attention to the details.
HcfnNCN in Annwer < lue tloii .
The general refused to reply to many ot
the questions. For Instance , ho declined
to say whether ho had examined the proofs
advanced against Dreyfus.
M. Laborl In short , you considered It in
the nature of n eecsatlonal move to have
Dreyfus prosecuted and sentenced ? Did
you examine previously the charges against
DroyfUB ?
General Mercler I only examined the
nature ot the documents betrayed.
M. Laborl Was It not necessary for that
purpces to fix the date ot the bordereau ?
General Mercler I do not think so. Fur
ther , I declare M , Laborl U discussing the
whole trial of 1S94. That may have some
Interest from a historical point ot view. |
But fllnce the court of cassation quashed ,
the judgment It seems to mo that It Is not
for us now to rovcrt to the various features
ot that trl.il. |
M. Laborl pointed out the contradictions
In the evidence of the officers of the head
quarters staff regarding the importance |
and nature of the contents of the bordereau.
and asked General Merclcr where Dreyfus
could have obtained particulars about tbo
pneumatic brake. |
The general hotly objected to being asked
to repeat his evidence and M , Labor ) ,
equally warm , said : "I am only asking
for definite statements. " .
Mercler then said ho thought Dreyfus
might have had cognizance of the brake at
Bourgcs , adding : "In any case , he had a I
batter chaaco to obtain such knowledge
than Esterhazy could posplbl > have bad.
M. Laborl General Mercler aays Dreyfus
might have had cognizance. I desire to
emphasize that expression. Wo shall now
provo Dreyfus could not have had cognizance
of the brake.
Counsel proceeded to demonstrate how
rigorously the secret of the construction ot
the brake was guarded find asked why , In
1894 , the charges regarding the Robin
melinite shells wore not dwelt upon.
General Mercler That arises from tha
simple fact that It was not known until
1896 or 1897 that Information on tha sub
ject was being divulged. The oxlstcnco of ,
treachery In regard to tlho distribution ot
heavy artillery among the army corps was
unknown until 1895.
The passages-at-arms between M. Laborl
and General Mercler were followed with
the keenest interest. Both men wore wary
and mutually suspicious of each jithcr and
there was considerable acerbity , Colonel
Jouaust at times finding it difficult In pre
venting the discussion from wandering out
side legal paths.
Dunlcn Knoivliii ? Esterltnxy.
Continuing , M. Laborl asked why General
Mercler did not have a report prepared re
garding the confessions Dreyfus Is alleged
to have made to Captain Lebrun-Renault.
" Mercler The question of confessions was
of no Importance , as a. revision of the 'case
seemed Impossible.
M. Laborl What does General Mercler
think of Estcrhazy and the part he played ?
General Mercler I do not know Esterhazy
and I"do not think about him at : all. "
M. * Laborl Did he know you at his trial
In 1898 ?
General Mercler No.
Colonel Jouaust General Mercler was not
minister of war then.
M. Laborl This is most Interesting. Gen
eral Mercler declares ho knows nothing of
the trial of 1898.
General Meroler I know nothing ot It. 1
leave that to the court-martial which tried
Esterhazy. I have only to answer In court
for my acts , and I refuse you the right to
question mo about my thoughts. ( Sensa
tion ) .
Colonel Jouaust , addressing M. Laborl ,
said : "You are not reverting to the vi-
dence of General Mercler. "
M. Laborl My object In Interrogating the
witness IB to revert to his evidence.
General Mercler I protest against the
word "Interrogatory , " for I am not a pris
oner.
oner.Note
( Note Interrogatory , In French law , gen
erally applies to the examination of an ac
cused person by a magistrate. )
UvadeM the Question.
'M. ' Laborl It la not a question ot inter
rogatory. I used the word In the most
respectful sense. Will General Mercler say
what ho means by the charge preferred
against tbe partisans of Dreyfus of having
spent 35,000,000 francs. What was this sum
used tor ? The amount Is simply ridiculous.
General Mercler I might just as well ask
you. ( Sensation ) .
M. Laborl Do you mean to suggest that
It was spent In advertisements and In buyIng -
Ing consciences ?
General Mercler I say nothing whatever.
Counsel next wished to know why the
bordereau was communicated to the court-
martial of 1894 , when it was considered Im
possible to show the other documents ot the
secret dossier.
General Mercler Because the bordereau
was not dated nor signed and Its place of
origin could be concealed.
M. Laborl pointed out that tbe place of
origin had been mentioned In court and then
asked for explanations In regard to the
perpetration of the 1894 ( orgery.
The croEs-exormluatlon of General Mercler
became more and more heated and so rapid
that It was difficult to follow and many of
the answers were confusing.
Stir * Uu a Hornet's XcHt.
As the questions of counsel touched upon
tbe secret dossier and a certain document In
'bluo ' pencil , .General Gonso , General Rbget ,
M , Grlbelln and Major Lauth also
participated In the discussion , which almost
degenerated into a wrangle. The govern
ment commissary , Major Carriers , protested
against such discussion and Colonel Jouauat
ordered eirence. The commissary said an
attempt was being made to chow tbero was
a fresh forgery which wo * used for purposes
ot comparisons , to which M. Laborl retorted
that Major Carrlere wu mistaken. The
tendency of these cross-examinations , he
added , was only to demonstrate the truth.
Major Lauth said he believed a clue to the
blue pencil document existed before the trlaf
of 1894 , and M , Labor ! asked why , In that
case , It was not produced at tbe trial , since
It Incriminated the prisoner.
General Mercler eald be did not know ot
this clue and Major Lauth disclaimed all
responsibility in the matter , as ho was not
connected with the preliminary inquiry.
General Gonse said tbe document bad been
in tbe possession of Colonel Sandherr ( sensa
tion ) and It was by him placed in the secret
dossier for comparison with other papers ,
M , UaTTorl as ed for explanations in re
gard to tbe commentary on the secret
dossier and General Mercle-r admitted be
destroyed it in 1897. General Genie , yho
was questioned on the same subject , declared -
clared that It was by order ot QIC oral de
Bolsdeffre that he returned the com
mentary to General Mercler. Answering
further questions , Mercler eald the I'anlt-
zardl telegram way not communicated to
the court-martial of 1894. He was ordered -
'
dered by General de Bolsdeffre not to in
clude It in tbo secret dossier. ( Sensation. )
Counsel next discussed the three-page
document , claiming that the false render
ing of the Panlztardl telegram was to make
It point directly to Dreyfus as the traitor.
tMercler asked to bo allowed to convene
with General Chamolh before attempting to
explain , General Cham61n thereupon ad
vanced and explained about the document ,
which had been handed him by General
Merclcr. Ha said ho noticed Inaccuracies In
It and resolved not to iwe It. Witness ,
however , had been carried away In testifyIng - I
Ing and read a page of tbe document nnl
it was after a friendly conversation with
Maltro Laborl that ho read the cntlro docu
ment In court at General Merclor'a request
and returned htm the document.
Trnord to Vnty Ac Clnin.
General Merclcr acknowledged tbe accu
racy of General Chamoln's statement ,
adding that It was Colonel Du Paty do Clam
who gave him the document. ( Sensation. )
Counsel had the document re-read and re
ferred to the two versions ot the two tele
grams of November 2 , ono designating
Dreyfus as communicating documents to
Germany , M. Laborl pointing out that M.
Palcologuo of the foreign office denied that
the ministry ot foreign affairs had com
municated this version and asked why Gen
eral Morelcr had received It through Du
Paty do Clam.
At this juncture General Roget mounted
the platform and expressed surprise nt this
"Idle controversy being resumed. " ( Cries
ot "Oh , ohl" ) The general asked that
Major Maton , who assisted In deciphering
the telegram , bo called , and counsel pro
tested ngalnst the application of the word
"Idlo" to any questions ho thought proper
to ask.
General Chamoln said that he communi
cated the amount to General Roget , while
enjoining absolute prhncy on the subject.
When nskod If ho accepted responsibility
far tha document , General Chamoln replied
In the affirmative , adding , however , the ad-
nilsslon that ho had made a mistake.
Colonel Jouaust intimated that the court
ought to take no notice ot the document In
question.
Dreyfus here gave a detailed story of how
he employed his time at Bourges from Octo
ber , 1889 , to February , 1890. He said that
as ho wag preparing for his examination
ho had no tlmo to go to cafes or to think
ot anything outside of his duties. This was
a reply to General Morclcr's assertion that
ho could have learned the secret of the
pneumatic brake there.
The prisoner said : ' 'I ' was promoted cap
tain September 20 , 1889 , and remained at
Bourgcs from October , 1SS3 , to February ,
1890 , when the written examination at the
military college began , I was then called
to Paris , obtained two months' leave anil
wan married In April. I spent four months
at Bourges. As I was preparing for ex
amination I had no time to go to cafes or
to think of anything outside of my duties. "
General Rlabourg , who was commander of
the Republican guard In Paris In 1894 , was
the next -witness. Ho described the scene
with Captain Lebrun-Renault , when the
witness learned of Dreyfus' alleged confes
sions to Captain Lebrun-Renault , tbe day
after the prisoner's degradation.
In conclusion , General Rlsbourg eulogized
the service ot Captain Lebrun-Renault an.l
said that bcforo the Incident of the con
fession there was nothing agaJost him. Ho
was an excellent officer , a good comrade
and Incapable of Injuring any one.
After being asked the usual question ,
Dreyfus protested against General RIs-
bourg's evidence.
"I am surprised , " the prisoner said , "thati
he , Captain Lebrua-Renault , 'Could have ,
made the statements attributed to him. On !
the way from the prison ot La Sante Cap
tain Lobrun-Renault shook bands with me , ,
a fact which Is in contradiction of his statej j
ment. Besides , when such a terrible charge
has ibecn hanging over a man who has re- '
elsted It for five years , witnesses should not !
come here merely to speak their beliefs , but
ought to bring proofs , ' * positive proofs.
Otherwise , I am completely nonplussed as
to how I can reply. " ( Sensation. )
DrojfUK ClveMjtlic True Version.
Dreyfus then proceeded to give the true
version of his words on the occasion ot the
alleged confession and dwelt " = his pro
testations of innocence to Du Paty de Clam.
The prisoner's remarks 'deeply impressed
bis hearers.
At the request ot M. Demange , General
Morcler was recalled and asked to explain
why , having sent Du Paty" de Clam to Drey
fus to discover tbo amount of the Injury
Droyfus had done ho bad not followed up
his investigations.
General Mercler I did cot feel called upon
to do so.
The prisoner again protested that the in
quiry ought to be followed up "because It
would have served to destroy the fiction of
a confession , to which such Importance was
now attached. " ( Sensation. )
Major Cure testified to a conversation be
had with Colonel Plcquart in 1896 , when the
witness save Esterhazy a very bad char
acter.
Billet , formerly a porter at the war office ,
deposed as to the visit ot M. Leblols to
Colonel Plcquart , which , the latter has never
denied.
M. Jules Roche , a deputy and former min
ister , testified to his acquaintance with
Esterhazy in 1894 , when the witness was
studying the question of the sufficiency of
the effective strength of the arm ; , which
had become more Important In consequence
of the new German law of 1893 , adding
80,000 men to the German army. Esterhazy ,
It appeared , afterward visited M. Roche and
wrote to him on various occasions until
1897. Ono letter referred to the fact that
the late Lieutenant Colonel Henry was In
debted to him. M. Roche also described
the steps ho took to procure the admission
of Estorhazy Into the war office. Replying
to the government commissary , M. Roche
declared that General Billet , who was then
minister of war , told him he must ocase to
interest himself In Estsrhazy. "not only for
private and legal reasons , but for other
reasons still more peremptory. " ( Sensation ) .
M. Laborl Insisted upon having further
details of General Billot's statement. The
witness eald he could not recall the exact
words ot the minister , but their effect then
was such Uiat ho felt under a moral obliga
tion to cease to Interest blmeolf In Ester-
hazy.
Ordern to "Wntoli EiterUuxy.
After a brief suspension of the session
M. de Verulne , special emissary of tbe min
ister of war , deposed that Colonel Plcquart
was ordered to have Esterhazy watched.
Witness Informed General Qonse , and the
latter was advised to continue tbe investi
gation discreetly. On several occasions ,
witness continued , Estorhazy was seen en
tering the German embassy , always quite
openly , but dressed in civilian clothes.
M. do Verulne saw Eeterhazy enter the
German embassy October 23 , 1897. He
stayed there an hour and drove to the Credit
Fonder , whence be went to tbe office of
La Patrie.
M. Laborl What does General Rogct think
of the part played by Eaterbary ?
General Hegel I have said that the part
played by Esterhazy escaped me completely.
M. Laborl General Roget , however , spoke
of the syndicate aa though it was a public
institution.
General Roget Exactly ; It Is a public in
stitution. Everybody talks of It.
M. Laborl But General Roget mentioned
an offer of 000,000 francs to Esterhazy. I
Insist upon asking General Rogct what he
thinks of Esterhazy'a visit to Colonel
Schwartzkoppen ( tbo German military at
*
tache ) October 23 , 1897 , the same day as
the Interview in Mont Souris park , a. visit ,
during the course of which it is known
Eaterhazy threatened to commit suicide If
tbe Gorman military attache refused to de
clare that ho ( Esterhazy ) was not the author
of the bordereau ,
General Roget It is not for me to say
what I think of it.
M , Laborl ( resuming his seat ) Very good.
( Loud and prolonged laughter. )
Colonel Fleur , retired , testified to tbe
numerous alleged Inaccuracies In Colonel
Cordler's evidence before the court ot causa ,
tlon. Cordler told the witness that the dis
missal of himself and Colonel Sandherr was
the beginning ot a Jewish revenge and
ivddcd that the Jewa had Influenced General
do Bolsdeffe , Cordler also &ld that he had
not doubted the guilt of Dreyfus. The wit
ness dramatically added :
"What was my stupefaction when , lattr , 1
heard Colonel Cordler express Ideas diamet
rically oppcelte to those ho expressed to mo.
Proceeding , Colonel Fleur repeated the tnttio
Intending to Incriminate Dreyfus , when M ,
Demange Interrupted him , paying : This is
nothing but cowlp. "
M , Labor ) nsked that all the persona pen *
tloned by Colonel Fleur bo cited to appear.
The colonel protested dg ! .ist his evidence
being dubbed "gossip , " and maintained the
correctness of his statements.
Asked It ho desired to reply to the wit-
nres , Dreyfus , said !
He Will Not l\ei \ > l > - to Mr * .
"I have nothing to say. 1 only reply to
facts. I will not reply to lies. If you
attach the slightest Importance to what has
been said , I beseech you with all my heart
to make a most complete inquiry for the
most dazzling truth. That is what I ask of-
you , my colbnel , nnd of the members of tbo
court-martial , "
Colonel Cordler , who was deputy chief of
the bureau of Intelligence. In 1894 , was
.called. He protested against the conditions
under which ho was summoned , without be
ing released from bis oath of professional :
secrecy , and also protested nt the manner In
which the summons was worded ,
"I am represented , " ho raid , "ns not being
on the active list of the aray ami as if 1
had been retired on half nay. That Is un
true. "
The witness expatiated on the * crtf > s ot
schemes which ho olalmrd he bad been the
victim , to the nmusomnit ot the couri , until
Colonel Jouaust Invltad him to curtail bis
recriminations and proceed wjth bis testi
mony , to which Cordter genially replied : "I
nm coming to that , my olonel. I'll rcfich
It In less Mian five minutes. You will set )
how I shall cut it abort. "
Colonel Cordler , who Is said to bo fjlvpn t. >
excessive drinking , c > iii3d shouts ot laughter
by Inlerlrtrdtnc his remarks with the ex
pression : "Full stop : that's all. " Even ihu
judges joined in shrinks ot lauchtor t the
colonel's testimony.
As Colonel Cordler could only testify as to
certain facts , since ho was not rclwsoJ from
professional secrecy , Colonel Jouaust said he
would ask iho mlnloter ot war 10 release
Cordler from his oath and .that ho would
then be recalled.
M. GcorgevCharles-Alfrod-Marla-MlllIn
do Grandmalson , denu'y from iho S&uniur
district of Malne-Et-Lolrc , who Is cterced
ns a royalist , though registered as a liberal
republican , next appeared at the witness bar
and repeated the testimony he had given bj-
from tbe court of cassation. He recalled a
conversation ho had dad with nn English
friend , Mr. Charles Dakar , who said he was
assured Dreyfus woe innocent , because ho
had seen a letter from Colonel Schwartz
koppen affirming the prlaonor's Innocence.
Baker , It seems , also mentioned numerous
documents showing .that certain French offi
cers. Including Dreyfus , were spies nnd Ba
ker asUed the witness to publish the docu
ments , but without proofs of tholr genuine
ness , as Emperor William did not wish to
intervene.
Not Ilccnnno He In a Jew.
The witness , after protesting against for
eign Interference in French affairs , repudi
ated the Idea that a. French officer could be
sentenced because he was a Jew.
M. do Grand Maison concluded by saying :
"I adjure the court to acquit the prisoner
unhesitatingly , it It believes him Innocent
( laughter ) and to convict him if it believes
him guilty. "
iM. Demango bitterly complained that the
witnesses of. the prosecution were allowed
to air their personal opinions .and appeal
to the gallery , to which M. de Grand Maison
retorted : "Anyway , the defenders of Drey
fus are being assisted by foreigners. Their
case must be very bad to necessitate recourse -
course to such help. "
M. Laborl invited the witness to define
what he meant by foreign intervention , par
ticularly pointing out the alleged contradic
tions in the statements of foreign person
ages.
Witness quoted the declarations ot the
German minister of foreign affairs , Count
von Bualow , according to one ot which he
said the German government and embassy
were not acquainted with either Droyfus of
Esterhazy , while In another statement Von
Buolow Implicated the German headquarters
staff and embassy In connection with Ester-
hazy.
M. Laborl eald the German government
might very well not know Dreyfus , but
Esterhazy might be known to the German
espionage bureau.
Counsel insisted that General Rogct bo
recalled to explain certain Inconsistencies ,
but Colonel Jouaust refused to recall the
general , and he also refused the icqucst of
General Roget to be allowed to t > peak.
In ( ieritiuii Ki'.Incr' * Ilixmi.
M. Mertian do Muller , a friend of M. do
Beauropalre , followed. Ho described a visit
which he made to Emperor William's palace
at Potsdam and said that at ono point the
guide announced that they were about to
enter tbe emperor's room. At the bottom
of the room witness noticed bis majesty's
bed and was admiring the canvases on the
nail when ho remarked a small table , upon
which was an army list and a newspaper ,
the Ltbro Parole , bearing a postage stamp.
Written on the newspaper in blue pencil ,
the witness asserted , were certain words In
German regarding the meaning of which
M. de Muller was certain. They were :
"Dreyfus has been arrested. "
M. Demanso You are quite certain you
were In the emperor's bedroom ?
M. do Muller I should think so. But bis
name was not written on the door.
Regarding the German word moaning "ar
rested , " the witness when crora-oxamlned ,
could not positively say he had distinctly
read or understood it.
M , do Muller , who Is a paralytic , left the
wit nose box assisted by an UEhor.
Colonel Flour and Colonel do Grande-
malson momentarily reappeared on the scene ,
but Colonel Jouaust , evidently wearying of
tbe prolonged trial , quickly called the next
witness.
Colonel Picquart'u former orderly in Tunis ,
a man named Savlgnaud , testified to posting
letters from Plcquart to M. Scheurer-Kest-
ncr , the former vice preildent of tbe senate ,
who has taken eo much Interest In tbe Drey
fus case , in May and June , 1897 ; but M ,
Laborl pointed out that M , Scheurer-Kestner
absolutely denied the receipt of letters under
those dates ,
The court at 11:45 : a. tn. adjourned for tbe
day.
Imurler Mnr Vlnlt Chicago.
CHICAGO , Aug. 24. Secretary La Polnte
of the Canadian Veteran's association of
Chicago received a letter from Premier
Laurler of Canada today In response to n
letter ot inquiry , in which the Canadian
premier said that he would In all proba
bility acccept the Invitation to attend the
fall festival in Chicago In October , when
the formal invitation was received by him.
Premier Laurler also etated that tbe gov
ernor general and most of the members of
the Canadian cabinet would accompany
blm ,
CASTOR IA
Tor Infants and Children.
IIIQ Kind You Have Always Bought
Bears the
Slcnaturo of
THE FIELD OF ELECTRICITY
Storage Batteries Jumping to the Front in
Public Favor ,
A PIPE CINCH ON ELECTROLYSIS
Elrctrlcltr n the Fnrm , In the
Smrltrr nnit lit the Hole of lnoen-
illnrj lionn ; Dlntniu-c Sample
< if Dcnr Talk.
*
The local battle over the priority of pat-
onta on storage batitorlcs having oamo to
nn end , maker * of storage batteries are con
fronted with n remarkable condition. They
arc unable to supply the demand for their
wares. The storage battery plant , says the
Philadelphia Record , Is by no means a cheap
Installation ; for it costs moro In the first i
place than the engines nnd dynamos neces-1
eary for developing nu equal amount ot
electric power , Mevertheless. there are so
many uses to which the Rtoraco battery
lends Itself advantageously that in the loin
run It is economical , On trolley lines , ' 1
whtic the demand for current varies greatly
at different periods of the day , tbo storage i i
bat/tery / has been found extreme ! * ' useful ;
for during the slack hours the surplus current - '
rent mar bo shunted Into the battery , and
during the busy tlmo this stored up current
may bn again supplied to the feed wires ,
thus relieving the engines and dyanoms of
excessive strain. vv I
In hotels , clubs and other places having
independent electric plants for lighting , run
ning elevators , etc. , the storage battery Is
an invaluable adjunct , rcllovlns the engine
and rnclncer of much of the night work.
It Is reported that the storage battery sys
tem is about to bo applied to the propul-
Blon of ferry .boats , In place nf the eteam
engine , and that In a few months tlmo elec
tric ferry boats will be plying bark and
forth between Philadelphia and Camdcn.
Whether this bo true or not , It would seem
probable that the ferry boat Is peculiarly
well suited for this means of propulsion.
Commenting upon the subject the Electrical
Review ( July 26) ) says :
"Tho steam ferry boat Is generally worked
under conditions that make It almost im
possible to show high efficiency , especially
when the course of the boat Is short. The
fires must burn while the boat IB standing
nt either end of Us journey , and whire It
Is making half speed. H must be provided
with engine nnd boiler capacity for Its
highest tpeed , and thcso can only bo used
a part of the time. With an electrical
equipment the charging may be done whllo
the boat is In Its slip nt tbo end ot each
trip. Batteries worked near their furl
charge limit are highly efficient , and such
boats may bo expected to show a consider
able saving In coal ; but this Is by no means
all that will bo gained by displacing their
steam machinery with accumulators nnd
motors. All space on the main and upper
decks required for working beams , smoke
stacks , etc. , will bo saved ; attendance will
bo lessened , vibration diminished , and the i
control gear put In the plfot house , so that
the steersman < may also operate the motors.
In this way the boat will bo under perfect
control , without the possibility of a mis
understanding in signals between the pilot
nnd englncman. "
When the flrst trolley cars were con
structed the motors alone cost moro than
entire new cars of much larger size and
very mush better design cost today. At
that tlmo tbo motors wnro .mado In small
lots ; now they _ ere manufactlrcd in 1m-1
menso quantities at ono time. The ,
status of the storage battery business
today resembles that of the dynamo and
motor Industry ten or twelve years ago , and'
it Is now about to come forward'wlth leaps
and bounds.
How < o Prevent Klectrolynln.
The injury caused by the fugitive electric
currents upon gas qnd water pipes In cities
where electric street railway systems ore BO
widely diffused and electric lighting Is well
nigh universal bos engaged the attention of
many scientific men throughout the coun
try. The evil Is not BO serious nowadays
as it was several years ago. Modern meth
ods ot providing for the return of the cur
rent have lessened its vagrant disposition.
Nevertheless the trouble continues to some
extent.
In St. John. N. B. , it has been the prac
tice for neary half a century to close tbe
joints in city water pipes not with melted
load , as In most other places , but with
pine plugs. The experiment was tried In 1851 ,
and again In 1857. On both occasions It
worked so well that the same policy was
pursued two years ago. The object In view
was merely to secure economy. But mention
of the fact reminds the public of the in
sulating qualities of wood and of the prop
osition made last year by Harold P. Brown
that two or more lengths of wooden plpo
by Introduced Into the mains In every dis
trict where trouble was to be anticipated.
Electricity will not enter a Hue of plpo
If It cannot get out again. An obstacle
which would prove effectual at any given
point along a system of metallic conductors
would dissuade a current from going Into It
In the flrst place. Hence , if tbo wooden
plugs Interfered with the conductivity of the
pipes It is hard to sea why they would not
protect them from Invasion , And If the cur-
rente would not attempt to travel along the
pipe at all no electrolysis or corrosion would
ensuo.
Electricity In Farming.
An enterprising farmer near St. Johns-
ville , N. Y. , baa had an electric plant
erected on his farrn ( the motive rower for
the machinery required being furnished by
two falls In a creek which courses through
bis land. It Is not to bo supposed lhat the
tiso of modern electrical Inventions will con-
tlnuo to bo confined to the cities and towns.
The quicker transportation furnished by the
railways to the eoll tillers brought about
more profitable farming and the adoption ot
improved farm machinery nnd the Mrady
extension of the trolley lines Into country
districts Is awakening the farmer to a
rcalltatlon ot the possibilities of electricity
ns an agency which may bo successfully utl-
llicd In practical work on the farm Itself ,
Innovations , It U true , arc usually tardily
accepted by the agriculturist nnd there are
many backwoods corners throughout Iho
United States In which oven Uio now com
mon thresher has not yet displaced the flail ,
I but as a class the American farmers are
'
Intelligent and they are fast becoming pro
gressive. What , then , should hinder the
use of electricity by agriculturists If there
| bo natural advantage * to rcndnr Its nilop-
tlon feasible ? Under ouch conditions rural
I honufl may bo lighted and the whole do-
| mcetlc economy revolutionized by the em
ployment of this wonderful force. In like
manner the farm may bo moro economically
manngcd by the relegation to the rear of the
horsu and the ponderous nnd costly traction
engine , with tbo swift and moro effective
power ot electricity to take their places.
I'.leotrliItcntlnir of .street Cnrn. '
The electric heater Is becoming n gctienU
favorite with both managers ot street rail
ways and the riding public. It Is cleanly ,
It straws no ashes or coal about the car ; It
takes up no seating capacity ; It distributes
Its heat equally throughout tbo car and
the warm air from It keeps the floor dry , anne
no stove can. There Is no need to remove
it each spring and. replace It each fall ; It Is
always In place , ready to too put In service
when the weather becomes suddenly chilly
or damp. Heating a car electrically costs
jiioro than stove heating , but there Is on
many lines what strikes an electrician as a
criminal wast6 of the current going through
the heaters. The switch Is set nt the gauge
considered desirable from the temperature
at the moment the car leaves the terminus ,
which may bo extremely cold. Before the
car has returned from Its trip there may bo
a rise of ten to twenty degrees In the ottt-
eldo temperature and the car may become
Insufferably hot. The conductor Is not al
lowed to niter the switch according to the
change In temperature and current is wasted
and the passengers swelter. Cars should not
bo kept too warm , specially lu city service ,
ns people seldom remove 'wraps on entering ,
and any temperature above CO or 55 de
grees F. becomes oppressive. As Is pointed
cut by C. F. Uebolackcr , the heat duo to
the presence of people lu the car reaches
quite an appreciable amount. There may bo
a difference of IE to 25 degrees F. between
the temperature Inside and outside of a
loaded car In service , even with no heating
apparatus In operation. It Is perfectly safe
for ordinary temperate climates to supply
heating apparatus capable of raising the
temperature of the empty car In motion 35
degrees F. Even If the external tempera
ture should fall to zero , this will glvo EO
to 65 degrees F lusldo a loaded car , and
this Is ample for comfort.
ISlcctrnlytlc Copper.
A largo amount of the copper produced In
the country is now refined electrically , and
Is known as electrolytic copper. Some of the
western works turning out this product , Bays
Electricity , especially where water Is ob
tainable , are very lartjc. Ono of them at
Great Falls , Mont. , has nlno dynamos of a
total of about 2,500 liorso-pciwer to make
current , all driven by the Missouri , which
here rushes through a deep gorge. The cop
per ere Is ground up and coat Into pigs ,
and the pigs are then hung in largo tanks
filled with a solution consisting chiefly of
copper sulphate. A heavy electric current at
low pressure Is passed through the series
of tanks , decomposing the copper pigs , and
the metal Is electrolytlcally transferred by
the solution of these shoots of copper hangIng -
Ing in each tank , so 'that ' practically the
sheets are copperplatcd. The. metal Is very
pure as a result of this process , and the
impurities and other metals fall to tbo bottom
tom of the tanks OB a slime. This refuse
is rated at a value of $2,500 a ton , and H is
sald that the gold and silver obtained from
It pays the whole cost of Uho electric pro-
COFB. In the case of the company operating
this plant the sales of copper , gold and sil
ver In 1898 were nearly $7,500,000 , nnd the
net amount available for dividends was
about $3.600,000.
CRUTCHES
The best
quality of
maple crutch ,
per pair , $ J.50.
CRUTCH TIPS 25C
A Pair , Postage , Sc.
The Aloe & Pcnfold
Company ,
Deformity Brace
Manufacturers ,
1408 rarnam Street ,
Omaha.
Something New in Omaha
The latest society fad posters mount
ed upon colored mats terrible cre
ations yet just the thing now 1200
new Imported posters Just received no
two alike will bo sold nt GOc cnch-
these nre the productions of celebrated
French , Italian and German artists
there has never been a time when siidi
a display of the genuine poster was
BCCU as now at our store.
A. HOSPE ,
W el br e anr 30tb tinilneM mmmtf
' * verimrr Oct. 33rd , ISO * .
Music and Art 1513 Douglo *
No More Cramped Feet
The Now Man Fashion Shoes for
women folks do the business Not only
because they glvo the room for the toes
to Ho on the solo ofthn shoe as nnturo
intended they should but because they
are the most fashionable for women's
foot covering. Ono of the most sale
able of these boots Is a dark tan-
darker than usual at $3.00 this ono is
duplicated In a black viol , also $ : i.OO
At $4.00 per pair , is the moat extensive
line of all. All the different shades of
leather in this price shoe , from the yel
lowest yellow to the blackest black ,
Drexel Shoe Co.
Omaha' * Cp-lo-ti t * lhv HVMLM ,
UIO FAUNAJ1 STttEEf.
