The record-union., 1899-08-23
Who Was MurderousIy Assaulted at Rennts
on the Fourteenth Instant,
Present When the Court Martial
Convened Yesterday Morning
His Appearance in Court the
Signal for Scenes of Extraordi-
nary Enthusiasm ON the Part of
the Dreyfusites.

RENNES, Aug. 22-To-day was
Maitre Labori's day at the Lycee,
where Captain Dreyfus is standing trial
on the charge of treason. Labor was
the central figure of the scene. AS the
Dreyfus drama unrolled before
crowded court this afternoon, his tall
Viking-like form, draped in a long
black gown, bordered with ermine, sit
ting in front of the footlights, was the
magnet, which. from the moment he
curtain was run up until it fell at noon,
drew all regards, not merely glances
of curiosity, but the steady gaze Of
admiration.
Labori did what people had expected.
He galvanized the dormant defense In
to an active, living thing NJ. Demange
is conciliatory He has always seemed
to fear to tread on the military corn.
Labor is a gladiator, and always
speaks to touch his foe to the quick.
Let there be the slightest opening in
his opponents defense and he thrusts
home.
To-day when NJ. Demange 9ound
nothing to ask a witness, NJ. Laboris 5
quick eye discovered weak spots, and
he came forward with searching ques-
tions.
Labori cornered Mercier on the
Schneider letter, which the latter had
used in evidence and which Colonel
Schneider had repudiated as a forgery.
The General was surprised when La
bori suddenly demanded that NJ. Mer-
cier be recalled. Evidently he hoped
the tribunal would support him in re-
fusing to explain how he got copy of
a letter which was Of later date than
his incumbency as Minister of War.
But Labori was not to be denied. He
insisted that Mercier should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitatingr
Mereier declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching TO his
possession of the document. This, as
LaDori intended it should be, was a
demonstration of communication by
the general staff of part, at least, OF
the secret dossier to an ordinary sol
der such as Mercier became immedi-
ately on leaving the Ministry of War
When Labori had attained his object
and forced a confession of grave viola
tion of law on the part of General Mer-
cier. he gave a smile of grim satisfac-
ton. and then added significantly: 81
shall have other questions to put tC
General Mercier."
The scene was highly dramatic, and
made a profound impression upon al
the spectators.
General Mercier must now be spend
ing a very miserable evening, for as
the result of this admission, and with
the additional charge of communi-
eating secret documents to the court
martial of 1894, he is liable to arrest
at any moment. Indeed, some people
think it not impossible that he will be
lying in the military prison adjoining
the cell of Captain Dreyfus before the
week is out.
Another series of questions put by NJ
Labori concerned Lajoux, a spy former
" in the service of the French Wal
Office. but packed off to South Africa
according to various military wit
nesses, because he proved a swindler
Labori asked how it was if that were
So that Lajoux was still receiving
monthly payments. Commandant Rol-
lin. completely taken aback, replied
that cessation of payments was undei
consideration. The impression con-
veyed by Labori's questions and the
replies given was that Lajoux was be-
ing paid by the War Office to keep out
of the way in the interest of EsterhaZy
whom Lajoux. in a letter read in court
Offering revelations in the Dreyfus af-
fair. indicated as the real traitor. M
Labori's cross-examination in this mat
ter. therefore. was a distinct advantage
20 the accused
Labori announced that he intended
to recall several witnesses.
TESTIMONY AT TRIAL.
RENNES. Aug. 22.-Maitre Labori
leading counsel for the defense, wht
was murderously assaulted Angus
14th, was present in court this morning
at the beginning of the second day o
the third week of the second trial b!
court-martial of Captain Alfred Drey
fus of the artillery. charged with trea
son.
The proceedings opened at 6:30 a. m
The arrival of NJ. Labori at the Lyce,
was the signal for scenes of extraor
binary enthusiasm. At 6:15 three car
riages, preceded by a number of bi
cycles, drove up. The first carriage con
tanned M. Labori and his wife and ply
and some police inspectors.
The crowd about the Lycee building
rushed up to Nj. Labori's carriage, an,
a number eagerly thrust their hand
through the windows to greet the dis
tinguished lawyer When M Labor
descended he was surrounded b,
friends, and a hundred hands pressed
his while he was assaiIed with all sort
of questions, to which he smiling re
piled: Il am going on WE'LL my friends
thank you, thank you"
AS M. Labori. still accompanied b.
Nine. Labori and a physician, enteret
the courtroom the audience greeted hin
by standing up and there was a gen
eral roar of applause. accompanied b,
4 she clapping of hands. Tears spranl
II the eyes of the wounded man, VIII
was evidently deeply affected by tn
wann welcome accorded him.
Among those who greeted NJ. Labor
were Generals Billot and Mercier, VIII
courteously inquired as to his condition
The lawyer looked very we'll. consider
ing his recent experience. He wake
quite briskly. but held his left arr