CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1899, Page 5

CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

DREYFUS'S NEW TRIAL OPENING OF Til K HKNNESS COITIITMAKTJAL. PRISONER CONFRONTED WITH THE BORDEREAU. DENIAL OF ALL MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS. A SECRET SITTING ABOUT THE FAMOUS DOSSIER. [WIESB ASSOCIATION.] Paws. BUi August. The court-martial for the now trial of Captain Dreyfus has bogun its sittings at Ronnos. The question to bo answered by the Court is iia follows : — " Ia Droyl'us guilty of having iv 181)4 practised lmichinaMous or carried on communications with a foreign Power or ono of its agents for tho purpose of inducing it to engage in hostilities or to wago war against France, or of furnishing it with tho means of doing so by supjilyiug it with thu notes and documents enumerated in the bordereau ?" On the opening dny of the trial the courthouse was crowded.' Most of those present wore generals and other arm} f oflluers aud politicians. The assoniblaffo f inoluded M. Ca«imirPerier (ex-President of tbe Republic), M. Hanotaux, and M. Paul Ouvaignao. Three hundrei journalists were in attendance to report and describe what took place. There was no demonstration either outside or inside the Court as Dreyfus, in a captain's uniform, walked firmly through a breach of the prison wall between a double cordon of soldiers to the Courthouse. The prisoner preserved a calm, dignified, and resolute demeanour. It was noticed that his hair had turned white, and that ho boro traces of sufferings. Otherwise ho was in good health. Noither J'Morhazy, Mademoiselle Pays, nor Colonel iJu Paty do Clam was proseut. Generals Mercies and Zurlindon and other generals roso and bowed low as Madiimo Uonry entered the Court. M. Jouaust, Fresideut of the courtmartial, interrogated Droyfus for 45 minutes in gruff and sarcastic toues and a hostile' manner. Dreyfus fearlessly asserted bis innocence, and replied promptly to the questions put to him. AVhon shown tlio bordereau, with on outburst of irrepressible emotion he emphatically denied that he was its author. Dreyfus exclaimed—" For five years I have suffered all that man can suffer. On my honour, and on that of my children, I swear I am innocent." Tbo inuidont was a dramatic one, and thrilled the Court. The prisoner further declared that he had no confidential knowledge of the subjects mentioned in the bordereau. Iv reply to othor questions, Dreyfus admitted that ho bad had relations with an Austrian woman, though he was guiltless of any indiscreet revelations. The prisonnr, however, denied the charges of gambling made against him. Continuing, ho said bo was not acquainted with Colonel Dv Paty do Clam, Colonel Upnry, Colonel Pioquart, or Esterhazy prior lo the first trial. Ho indignantly denied thnt ho bad confessed to Colonel Dv Paty de Chun or Captain Lo Brim Renault. Dreyfus admitted that he had visited Alsaco privately, but explained that it was to study tho transport question. He had never spoken a word to' or dined with Gorman army oilkore. When pro*sod lo explain why ho namod threo years as tlio periqd required to substantiato bis innocence' Dreyfus declared that ho was assured that considerations of foreign policy would prevent tho truth from being known earlier. Tbo prisoner's easo and self-possession, together with tbe frankness of bis replies, created a favourable impression. An announcement by tho Court that the oxamipation of tba socrot dossier would be made in camera, aud would ocoupy four days, oreatod surprise.