1:04:03
May I ask... do you sincerely believe
all the things you've just said?
1:04:13
It's been a pleasure discussing this with
you, but I'd better get back to my guests.
1:04:18
Forgive me for having
kept you from your party.
1:04:23
By the way, sir,
have you heard that General Mireau
1:04:27
ordered his own battery
commander, Captain Rousseau,
1:04:30
to open fire on his own positions
during the attack?
1:04:36
Of course, the captain refused
without a written order.
1:04:40
But General Mireau demanded that
he commence firing on our own trenches.
1:04:44
Rousseau refused
without an order in writing,
1:04:46
but again he was ordered, and again
he refused... all in front of witnesses.
1:04:52
Do you actually believe
this fantastic story?
1:04:55
Here are copies of the sworn statements
from all the principals involved.
1:04:59
Battery Commander Rousseau,
Captain Nichols, the artillery spotter,
1:05:03
the telephone clerk, and, uh...
my own deposition.
1:05:07
What has all this got to do with
the charge against the prisoners?
1:05:10
A general in a tantrum
over the failure of an impossible attack
1:05:14
orders his artillery to fire on his own men.
1:05:18
Now, the same officer on the same day
1:05:20
orders a court martial in which
three of his men are sentenced to be shot.
1:05:25
General, what would your newspapers
and your politicians do with that?
1:05:31
Colonel Dax,
are you trying to blackmail me?
1:05:34
Sir, that's an ugly word,
but you are in a difficult position.
1:05:37
Too much has happened. Someone's
got to be hurt. The only question is who.
1:05:43
General Mireau's assault
on the Ant Hill failed.
1:05:46
His order to fire on
his own troops was refused,
1:05:50
but his attempt to murder three innocent
men to protect his own reputation
1:05:54
will be prevented by the general staff.