The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-25

really rests upon the late ut.-cei
Henry and Col Du Patty de Clam"
NJ. Labori-"In short you considered
it in the nature of a sensational move
to have Dreyfus prosecuted and SEN
fenced? Did you examine previously
the charges against Dreyfus?"
Gen. Mercier-'I only examined the
nature of the documents betrayed"
NJ. Labori-"Was it not necessary for
that purpose to fix the date of the bor-
dereau?"
Gen. Mercier--'I don't think so. Fur
Sher, I declare Maitre Labor is discuss
ing the whole trial Of 1894. 1t may
have some interest from a historical
point of view, but since the court OF
cassaion quashed the Judgment ii
seems to me that it is not for us now
TO revert to the various features of that
trial"
NJ. Labor asked why Gen. MERCER
did not have a report prepared regard
ing the confessions Dreyfus is alleged
TO have made to Gen. Lebrun-Re-
nault
Meroier-"The question of confessions
was of no Importance, as a revision OF
dhe case seemed impossible"
NJ. Labori-"What does Gen. MERCER
think Of Esterhazy and the part he
played?'
Gen. Mercier-'I don't know Ester
hazy and don't think about him at
ALL"
NJ. Labori-"Did he know you at his
trial in 1882"
Gen. Mercier-'No."
Col. Jouaust-"Gen. MERCER was not
minister of war then"
NJ. Labori-"This Is most interesting.
Gen. MERCER declares he knows nothing
of the trial of 1885,
Gen. Mercier-'I know nothing of it.
! leave that to the court martial which
tried Esterhazy. have only to answer
in court for my acts, and l refuse you
the right to question me about my
thoughts" (Sensation.)
Col. Jouaust addressing NJ. Labor,
said: You are reverting to the evil
dence of Gen. Mercier?"
NJ Labori-"My object in interrogat-
ing the witness is to revert to his evil
dence."
Gen. Mercier-'I protest against the
word 'interrogating, for am not a
prisoner"
NJ. Labori-"It is not question of in
terrogatory. l used the word in the
most respectful sense. Will Gen. Mer
cier say what he means by the charge
preferred against the partisans of
Dreyfus, Of having spent 35,OOO,oOO
francs? What was this sum used for?
The amount is simply ridiculous"
Gen. Mereier-"I might just as well
ask you" (Sensation)
M. Labori-"Do you mean to suggest
that it was spent in advertisements
and in buying consciences?"
Gen Mercier-'I say nothing what
ever"
The counsel next wished to know
why the bordereau was communicated
to the court martial of 1894 when it
70 chr he
other documents of the secret dossfer.
Gen. Because the bordereau
was not dated, not signed so it's place
Of origin could be concealed"
NJ Labor pointed out that the place
of origin had been mentioned in court
and then asked for explaSations in re-
gard to the preparation of the 1894
forgery.
AS the question of the counsel touched
upon the secret dossier and a certain
document in blue pencil, Gen. Gonse,
Gen. Roget, M Gribelin and Mai.
Lauth also participated in the discus
sion, which almost degenerated into
wrengle.
Gen. Gonse said the document had
been in the possession of Col Sandherr
Ssensation), and it was by him placed
in the secret dossier for comparison
with other papers.
NJ
Mercier said the Panizzardi telegram
was not communicated to the court
martial Of 1894. He was ordered by
Gen. De Boisdeffre not to include it in
the secret dossier (Sensation)
The counsel next discussed the three
page document, claiming that the false
rendering of the Panizzardi telegram
was to correct it and point directly to
Dreyfus as the traitor.
verse with Gen. Chamoin before at
tempting to explain. Gen. Chamoin
thereupon advanced and explained
about the document which had been
handed to him by Gen. MERCER. He
said he noticed inaccuracies in it and
resolved not to use it. The witness,
however, had been carried away in
testifying and read page Of the docu-
ment, and 1t was after friendly con-
versation with Maitre Labori that he
read the entire document in court, at
Gen. Mercier's request, and returned
him the document
Gen. MERCER acknowledged the ac-
curacy of Gen. Chamoin's statement.
adding that it was Col. Du Patty De
clam who gave him the document
(Sensation.)
Gen. Risbourg, who was commander
or the republican guard in Paris in 1894,
was the next witness. He describes the
scene with Capt. Lebrun Renault when
me witness learned of Dreyfus' alleged
confession to Capt. Lebrun Renault, the
day after the prisoners degradation.
After being asked the usual question,
Dreyfus protested against Gen. Ris-
bourg's evidence
Il am surprised" the prisoner said.
that Capt. Lebrun Renault could have
made the statements attributed to him.
On the way down from the prison of
La Sante Capt. Lebrun Renault shook
hands with me--a fact which is in con-
tradiction of his statement Besides.
when such, a terrible charge has been
hanging over a man who has resisted
1T for five years, witnesses should not
come here merely to speak their be-
liefs, but ought to bring proofs positive
proofs. Otherwise, am completely
nonplussed as to how l can reply.
(Sensation.)
Continuing. Dreyfus said: Refer
ence was also made to confessions. ]
Will state the exact terms of the So
called confession of mine The day
Capt. Lebrun Renault and I were to-
gether, I said to him: I am innocent.
/ will declare it in the face of the whole
people That is the cry of my con-
science. You know that cry. / re-
peated it ell through the torture of
my degradation.
"Afterward I added, referring to the
visit Of Du Patty De Clam: The min
lister is well aware that am innocent.
What ! mean to intimate was that 1
was apprised that the minister in re-
Spouse to the steps Du Patty De Clam
had taken against me, that l was in
cent. Du Patty De Clam visited me
and asked for information. replied:
I am innocent; absolutely innocent
replied verbally to Du Patty De Clam
and In writing to the minister, that /
was perfectly innocent. That was what
meant by the words: The ministry
is well aware that am innocent
Then / reverted to the visit of Du
Fatty De Clam and Capt. Lebrun Re-