Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-08-23
Wu,nded Advocate Again Takes
Up Defense of Dreyfus.
GREETED WITH WILD CHEERS
Con. Mercier Refuses to Explain How Ger
tain Documents Came into His Hands.
Interesting Proceedings at Yester-
days Session of the Court.
(Ry Tclerranh

(By Telegraph
lakNiNF>S, Aug. 22-AIaitre Labroi,
leading counsel for the defense who
was murderouslv assaulted August ii
was present in court this morning at
the opening of the Dreyfus trial. The
arrival of NJ. Labor at tie Lycee was
tbs. signal for scenes of extraordinary
enthusiasm.
The crowd about the Lycee building
rushed up to his carriage and NUM-
Der OF people eagerly thrust their
hands through the windows to greet
the distinguished lawyer.
When M. Labor descended 1le,was sur
rounded by friends and a hundred
hands pressed his. while he was as
s;!iled With all sorts of questions to
which nc smilingly replied:
ann going on we'll, my friends, thank
you. Thank you"
IA ROAR, OF APPLAUSE
as NJ. Labor, Still accompanied by
Madame Laibori and a physician en-
tered the room. the audience greeted
him by standing and there was a
general roar of applause, accompanied
by the clapping of hands, which was
distinctly heard in the streets. Tear,
sprang 10 the eyes of the wounded
man. who was evidently affected by
the warm welcome accorded him.
Among those who greeted NJ. Lalbori
We're Generals Billot and Mercer, who
courteously inquired as to his condi-
ton.
The lawyer looked very we'll con-
sidcrng his recent experience He
walked quite briskly, but held his left
arm close to his side in order not to
disturb the wound. Counsel was con-
Quoted to a light, well cushioned chair
instead of the ordinary cane bottom
chair. behind the table set apart for
the lawyers.
MADAME LABoRI.
Nine; Labor. who entered the court
-, 5-H -.
nnlls
7 a seat in court she was surrounded by
friends who overwhelmed her with
CONGRATULATIONS on her husbands re
coverT. to which she smilingly S
pondcd.
AT first the audience seemed t, be
hpnrehensve that Col. Jouaust. presl-
dent of the court martial might treat
the applause OF NJ. Labor as a de-
monstration which would warrant him
in clearing the court.
1T began, therefore. with few
tinid claps of the hands, but was soon
followed by general applause on the
part OF the whole audience, With the
exception OF 4 few standing at the lack
of the court room
las NJ. Lalbois shook hands with Gen
erals Rillot and Mercier, who smiling
1y congratulated him on being able to
reslrpaar in the case, the lawyer thank
ed them for calling at his residenc>
while 3le was IN bed.
DREYF'US ENTERS
Dreyfus entered the court room soon
afterwards. and having saluted the
judges, turned to NJ. Labor With out
stretched hand, Il smile Of keen pleas
ure lighting up his pale and usually
impressive features. The lawyer took
the prisoners hand and shook il warm
ly, whercupon Dreyfus gave MIN an
other look of gratitude and took his
,,,f nj fHea e te1h n,-it y,
his back toward them
Colonel JOuauSt next read from a
paper an address to M. Labor. the tone
OF the the president being quite
sympathetic. The lawyer made an inn
pressive reply. He was deeply affect
ed ard his voice was clear, though not
SO strong as before he was shot. He
was Very nervous and excited, aud
swaycd to and fro as he delivered his
reply. His hearers were profoundly
impressed.
M Labori's reply to the president
considerably fatigued him, and he sat
down flushed and holding his side. He
afterwards once or twice nervously
twitched his fingers and an expression
fitted over his tace as though he were
suffering.
REJlANE IN COURT.
Madame Rejane, the celebrated ac-
tress, was among those present in
court today. She made the trip to Rem
mes especially ITO see the trial and re-
turn of M. Labor into the case and
she was one OF those who arplauded
the most heartily, his entry into the
court room.
The first witness today was NJ. Gren-
Ter, the former project OF Belfort. His
testimony was favorable to Dreyfus
and distinctly hostile to Esterhazy.
Major RolHn, of the intelligence de-
partnnent, was asked by Nj. Labor,
during the course of the formers testi-
lnony, how certain document Of a
came into General Merciers possession
\ Rollin said it was not his business to
explain but counsel insisted asking
whose business it was. I'll
I.AJOUx A BAD SPY.
Lieut.. Col. Rollin, of the intelli gence
department, was the next witness. He
described the spy Lajoux, employed
y in the department as bad spy"
whom it was found necessary to sup-
press.
M. Labori asked the witness whether
he knew Lajoux had offered to make
revela tons in the Dreyfus affair and
the witness replied that Lajoux wrote
to the minister of war asking for as.
sistance and referring to the CTsyfus
case.
The clerk Of the court read a letter
in Which, after dwelling upon his
services, -Iajoux said it was in, conse-
quence of Icnry's exactions that the
spy Cilcrs had become IN enemy in
stead Of an. ally. He also described a
. conversation with Cucrs, in which
Cuers declared Dreyfus had ncvSr
8 been heard Of at the army heldnuart-
ers in Berlin and that on the news +
the arrest Of Dreyfus. General Won
WaIdersee summoned all the German