New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-23
LABORpS TELLING SPEECH.
A CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE PRosECU-
TONS ACTION.

sYrCrAToRsLTHE DREYFUs CASE RE
vrEwED-No PROOF OF HIS GUILT-THE
SPEECH TO Re CONTINUED TO-DAY.
Paris. Feb 22.-The precincts and Hobbies OF
the Palace OF Justice were deserted to-day. The
Assizes Court however. thronged.
NJ. Labor counsel for NJ. lola. resumed his
argument for the defense. He chronoogically re-
viewed the case from the arrest OF Alfred Drey-
rus. pointing out that Major Patty de Clam
interdioted Nine. Dreyfus from speaking. the
announcement OF his arrest. published by the
.'ribrc Parole" and 'L'Eclair"' alone. must have
been communicated by the Ministry OF War.
NJ Labor charged the "Libre Parole" and
IL Eclair' with lying in regard to the guilt
% Dreyfus and referred 10 Major Patty de
Clans attempt 10 intimdate Dreyfus. and to
Major Forzinettfs belief IN the latters limo
cence He dealt also with the court martials
decision make the trial secret. in spite OF the
protests Of the press. He SAID that this was the
reason for the unceasing protests in behalf OF
Dreyfus which troubled all high minded per-
sons" adding: The strength Of those Of our
aAversaries who are acting In good faith lies
IN their belief that the whole affair was con-
Quoted with justice and legality. but the facts
do not bear out this belief" (Murnurs)
Counsel for the defence then declared that
eight months prior TO the arrest OF Dreyfus the
Ministry OF W III bCSstSStN liioN'Si pms VI 'NA'
naper containing the expression that scoundrel
Of D" and showing that French officer
had relations with two foreign military attaches.
This document NJ Labor pointed out. did not
refer to Dreynus. but the culpability Of Dreyfus
was founded upon It, and II was this document
which the 'veiled lady handed to Major Ester
hazy the latter only surrendering II 70 the
Minister Of War on securing receipt
MERCIERs TESTIMONY DIsCREDrTED.
Referring 10 General Mercer. NJ. Labor said:
~He may lie a brave soldier but he is not
familiar with great affairs. In the absence OF
proofs he substituted MS own arbitrary impress
sion and thus had innocent man con-
demned." The counsel also asked why the docu-
rqent referring to that scoundrel D had
not been previously spoken Of, as the defence
could have brought into court foreigners who
disputed It's genuineness. The statement caused
e cornmotion In court, and the Presiding Judge
interrupted counsel. remarkinS:
We would not have heard them.
u. we did not summon them" continued NJ.
Labor 81; was because we wished to discuss
hetveen Frenchmen alone an affair solely con-
corning Frenchmen.'
However opinions may differ IN this anair,
NJ Labor explained. Gin the hour OF danger
We all show q solid front 20 the foreigner" Gap
plause)
Denouncins the action Of the prosecution In
having Dreyfus write from dctation counsel
said. such q trick proved the emptiness OF the
prosecution. for had they possessed proof of his
guilt they would not have had recourse 10 such
theatrical effects at the opening Of the court
martial. and the judges. having only the Dor
oereau would have acquitted Dreyfus had not
contrary 10 all laws. their judgment been led
sst-ay by the secret communication Of docu-
lnent"
NJ Labor sitter reading an account Of the
court-nartial. added:
pREYFIs's INNOCENCE AFFIRMED.
II have al the papers concerning the affair
IN MY hands and solennly affirm that there
Is nothing in them against preyfus pledge
YOU nv honor. gentiemen that there is no
proof against Dreyfus"
This statement made g conraot'on. and there
were marks OF appreciation among the public.
A short adjournment oT the court followed dur
ing which number of persons shook hands
with 81. Labori whose moderate but Arm utter
sucss made an impression upon the audience
When the hearing Vas resumed NJ. Labor
referred 20 the alleged confession OF Dreyfus TO
Captain Lebrun- Renault and remarked: III e
,gritten report Of Il exists II was drawn up as
an esterthought. and could have proved II by
witnesses had Captain Lebrun-Renault testi-
fed"
Recalling Premier Melines declaration IN the
Chamber OF Deputies, in reply 10 ex-Minister
Cevagnac. that the presentation OF This re
port would open the door for revision OF the
Trial. n Zola's counsel said: The report was
not produced because the alleged confession was
neither possib Die nor probable
u Labor then gave d moving description OF
The DEGRADATION OF Dreyfus- He recalled that,
amid the shouts Of Death" from the ptlesS
crowd Dreyfus had not ceased TO cry "Nive Ia
France" and swear upon the heads 81 MS VIE
and children that he was completely innocent.
"Dreyfus" NJ Labor asserted only appealed
for one act OF raercy-that the Ministry SHOULD
continue the inquiry" lCommouoN)
AFTER this NJ. Labor read a series OF letters
written by Dreyfus 10 counsel ana 10 ms ram
iy in which the prisoner always demanded th4t
~. real cu.prlt should be sought, ana added:
II NJ Meline did not produce the report on
Captain Lebrun- Renault II vas because IN
vehement r,rOtestatiOn y innocence OF Dreyfus
rrorlbied his mind and for the moment his sense
OF judicial rectitude had prevailed over his con-
ception Of political consideration tSenSauoh)
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AvOwALs.
IN order TO obtain avowals." VI. Labor pro
oeeded. the prosecution went to the point Of
fraud Did not Major Patty de Clam say TO
Dreytas The Minister VIII receive you II you
20 10. confess 80? GU.
". Labor dwelt upon Major Patty de Clans
Interrogation OF Dreyfus. IN which Dreyius
agreed there Was some resemblance IN the de-
tails 81 hts writing 10 that If the Dordereau'
hut that taken together they were quite dis
tincf. and be ,Dreyfus) affirmed his innocence
-r,gnun,ent Of falsehoods and hypocrisy
has been built up--falsehoods for the apettoTs'
hypocrisy for the stronger and gultier parties
Let these men know this. Let them listen -
~, ,yorAs ard remember that the name which
occupies in history the most humiliating place
IS mat Of Pontius PLATE" (Vehement applause'1
Are the court adjourned W. Labor received
sr walton cries Of '"Vive Labor" mngnng
with counter-cries Of "Vive IArmee'" and "A
has les Juifsi" $500.