Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1899 — DREYFUS IS GUILTY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DREYFUS IS GUILTY

This Is the Verdict of ihe Rennes Court-Martial. FAMOUS TRIAL ENDS. Judges Uphold the French Army at the Expense of Justice. < losing Scenes in the World's Most Famous Military Trial—M. Demange Pleads Eloquently for the Prisoner —Accused Dramatically Declares His . Innocence—Verdict Was Not Unexpected—Precautions Taken to Prevent an Outbreak. The court martial in the case of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus having deliberated for three hours came into court at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon, and after the usual impressive formalities pronounced the prisoner guilty of the charge of treason. A wild scene followed, but the presence of a strong force of gendarmes prevented* serious results. Dreyfus dramatically proclaimed his innocence. The morning of the day which was to decide the fate of Capt. Dreyfus broke dull and cheerless at Rennes, and the court room was filled with a cold, unsympathetic light, which lent sadness to the

proceedings. This was enhanced by the grave aspect of the audience. The faces of the judges also reflected the solemnity of the occasion. The last session of the court martial opened at 7:30 a. m. The prisoner looked flushed and in ill health, apparently suffering from the great strain. M. Demange resumed his speech for the defense, which was interrupted Friday by the adjournment of the court. The audience listened to his remarks with the most serious attention and he was also closely followed by the judges. The peroration of M. Demange was a splendid piece of oratory. His voice thundered through the court and echoed outside. The officers and troopers stationed in the court yard crowded around the entrance of the hall, standing on tiptoe to catch a glimpse of the speaker, while inside the hall many of the audience were moved to tears. After Maitre Demange had spoken Maitre Labori arose and formally renounced his right to plead. The court then adjourned its session until 3 p. m., the judges retiring to deliberate on the verdict, which was announced in open court at the hour of its reconvening. Chronology of the Breyfns Case. 1894. April I—Esterhazy writes the bordereau and sends it to Schwartzkoppen. September—Bordereau brought to Colonel Sandherr. Oct. 15 —Dreyfus arrested on charge of treason. Dec. 19 —Dreyfus court martial begins. 1895. Jan. s—Dreyfus publicly degraded. Feb. 9 —Law passed sending Dreyfus to Devil’s Island. June I—Picquart placed at head of Intelligence bureau. 1896. May I—Picquart discovers the petit bleu. Sept. 14—Eclair exposes the fact that Dreyfus was convicted by secret evidence. Nov. I—Henry’sl—Henry’s forgeries used to convince Chamber of Dreyfus’ guilt. 1897. Nov. 15—Mathieu Dreyfus denounces Esterhazy as the real author of the bordereau. 1898. Jan. 11—Esterhazy acquitted of charge of writing the bordereau. Jaq. 12—Colonel Picquart arrested. Jan. 13—Zola writes the “I accuse” letter. Feb. 24—Picquart expelled from the army. July 18—Zola flees from France. Aug. 31 —Henry confesses to forgery and commits suicide. Sept. 26—Dreyfus verdict referred to Court of Cassation. 1899. June 3 —Court of Cassation decides Dreyfus shall have a new trial. June 7 —Dreyfus ordered home on cruiser Sfax. June 30 —Dreyfus lauds in France. Aug. 7—Trial opens at Rennes. Sept. 9—Dreyfus is found guilty.

CAPT. DREYFUS.