The command line options for exporting to EPS (see bug 146) is supposed to non-interactively export a template to EPS format. However, the current implementation opens the splash screen and in some cases shows error dialogs. Looking at the implementation, it is clear that indeed Swing is initialized before the export is performed. I suggest this is redesigned to export the template without starting Swing.
Fixed in CVS. The other options will still be interpreted, but options requiring graphical response will have no chance, e.g. "--splashScreen on" will not have effect.
Tested after Gerd's restructuring, works fine (nice error reporting).