The San Francisco call., 1899-08-23
MAlTRE LABOR ADDRESSING THE COURT.


sive features. The lawyer took the pris
oner's hand and shook it warmly, where
upon Dreyfus gave him another look of
gratitude and took his seat in front of
cOunsels table, with his back toward
them.
Colonel Jouaust next read an address to
NJ. Labori the tone being quite sympa
thetic. The lawyer made an impassioned
reply. He was deeply affected and his
Neiee- was clear. though not so strong as
before he was shot. He was very nervous
and excited and swayed to and fro as he
delivered his reply. His hearers were
profoundly impressed.
NJ. LaboriS s reply to the president con-
siderably fatigued him. and he sat down
flushed and holding his side. He after
ward once or twice nervously twitched
his fingers and an expression fitted over
his face as though he was suffering.
Nine. Rejane, the celebrated actress
was among those present in court to-day.
She made the trip to Rennes especially
TO see the trial and return of M. Labor
into the case, and she was one of those
who applauded the most heartily his en-
try into the courtroom
The first witness to-day was NJ. Grenier
the former Prefect of Belfort. His testi-
mony was favorable to Dreyfus and dis
tinctly hostile to Esterhazy
Major Rollin of the intelligence depart
ment was asked by NJ. Labori during the
course of the formers testimony how
certain document of later date than
Mercier's possession Rollin said it was
not his business to explain, but counsel
insisted, asking whose business it was
Finally NJ. LabOri asked Colonel Jouaust
TO request General MERCER to explain.
The general arose and said he declined to.
answer. NJ. LabOri insisted, but Mercier
till refused to answer and Major Car
rere, the Government commissary, sup
ported him, on the ground that the ex-
animation was entering upon a matter
which ought not, in the interest of the
country. to be discussed publicly.
NJ. Labori then declared in a loud voice
that he would reserve to himself the right
to take the necessary measures to obtain
the desired information.
The next point was made by DreyfuS in
his reply to Major Rolln. The latter had
remarked that all the prisoners papers
were seized when his rooms were searched
in 1894 and Colonel Jouaust said that GER
tain papers from his textbook. The
School of War were found missing. To
this the prisoner retorted. Not in 1894,
as the obvious Interpretation was that the
pages were torn out at the War Office
and then the fact was used against him
as an insinuation that he had commune
Gated the missing pages to foreign agents.
NJ. Ferret, former Secretary of the
War Office. next testified to having seen
Dreyfus prying into other officers work
during their absence, and the prisoner re-
piled eXcitedly that Ferret'S statements
were concoctions by a former Minister of
War. which caused sensation. Then in
statement explaining the difficulties in
the way of civilian. such as Ferret, cl-
tering the Offices of the general staff.
General Gonse thereupon presented two
letters to the effect that the writer's, both
of whom were civilians, obtained easy ad-
mittance TO the offices.
Dreyfus retorted that the regulations
were very strict in this respect and that
therefore some persons were guilty of
gross breach of discipline. and NJ. De-
mango scored by adding that if entry in
these Offices was easy, why anybody could
procure the information Dreyfus was AL
legged to have obtained so surreptitiouelv.
The next witness. Lieutenant Colonel
Berth, who was the head of Dreyfus' Of
flee in 1894 showed himself to be most
virulent enemy of the prisoner. He had
evidently learned his testimony by heart
and declaimed it in a Strident. aggressive
tone, whicn grated upon the ears of the
audience. Some of his remarks, particu-
larly his declarations that he was con-
vinced of Dreyfus' guilt by NJ Bertillor's
chart and his introduction of Esterhazy's
statements against Dreyfus, elected gen.
eral smiles.
Following. are the proceedings in detail:
The president of the court. Colonel
Jouaust, on taking his seat, turned to NJ
Labori and amid impressive silence read
an address as follows;
Allow me- NJ. Labori, to express to you the
unanimous sentiment of the court-martial at
the odious sentiment TO which you nearly fell
a victim This unspcakable act has excited
everywhere and especially among the mem
bers OF the court martial the keenest indigna-
ton (App!ause) We are glad II did not have
and devoted attention upon you permit you to
resume your duties to-day. (Applause.)
In spite of the Presidents exhortation
not to fatigue him, NJ. Labori replied:
In spite of the presidents exhortation
not to fatigue himself M. Labori replied:
NJ lie President: Permit me. notwithstanding
my weakness and emotion, to say d word in
reply to those you have done me the honor to
address to me in such deeply touching terms
1t was for me a visitation Of a particularly
noinfuI nature to be struck down at the time
when this case beginning TO realize my
beautiful dream of the last few years namely
to plead this case in all its amplitude before a
tribunal of soldiers. That was my aspiration
and that will explain to you my emotion and
sorrow, as well my joy to-day. l Will not
revert TO that but / wish to thank all friends
or foes or Indifferent people who have honored
me with these signs OF sympathy, OF which