The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-08-15
TRIAL OF CAPT. DREYFUS
oENERAL MERCIER CONFRONTED
BY M. R-pERIER.

The Former Scored for Standardization
-Caused Mobilization of Troops on
Frontier Without Authority-M La
BORIS Absence FeIt-The Testimony
Lacks Material Proofs.
Rennes, France, Aug. 14-The shoot
ing of M. Labori leading counsel for
captain Alfred Dreyfus, the second
week of whose second trial by court
martial, on the charge of communicate
Ing important French military docu-
ments to the agent Of a foreign power,
opened in the Lycee this morning, had
very depressing effect upon the morn
1ng's session. But for the sympathy
the attempt is certain to excite
throughout the country for M. Labor
and Dreyfus, the loss of M. Labori's
invaluable services to the prisoner
would be severe blow to his interests
The assassin apparently chose to-day
for the attempt because it was believed
that M. Labori would crush General
MERCER, the eX-minister of war, with
his REORGANIZATION.
The news of the attempted assassina-
ton caused a great sensation in the
court room where the usual audience
had assembled, awaiting the entrance
of the judges. M. Labori's absence had
just been announced, when suddenly
M. Jaunay, syndc of the judiciary
press rushed into the room and shout
'FM Tahnri has hppn shot ~
Every man in the room jumped to his
feet, and volley of questions was hurl-
ed at M. Jaunay, who, crying THAT is
all 1 know" rushed out of court again,
followed by number of his hearers
The remainder of those present were
compelled to remain, as the proceed
ings were about to commence. M.
Jaunay received his information from
Madame Labori herself, who had rush
ed from her husbands side to the court,
crying for doctor and shouting that
her husband had been shot.
Colonel Jouaust, president of the
court, when the news reached him, sus-
pended the sitting of the court-martial
until 7:15 a. m. This was in response
to the request Of M. Demange, who, in
a few words, officially informed Colonel
Jauaust of the attack on NJ Labori and
made the request for suspension of
the sitting. On the resumption of the
session the colonel referred to the out
rage and declared that he was person
ally deeply moved.
M Demange announced that though
his colleagues wound was not so seri-
GUS as at first supposed. it would be i'm
possible for him to participate in the
proceedings.
AS it was to have been M. Labori's
task to take General MERCER in hand,
M Demange, associate counsel, was
quite unprepared for the task, and the
few questions he put when General
MERCER resumed the stand this morn
ing were practically of little effect, SO
that General MERCER escaped cheaply.
Moreover, M Demange was deeply af-
fected by the attempt to assassinate
his colleague, and was quite unable to |
do himself iustice.
General MERCER, in reply to the presi |
dent of the court, reiterated his belief |
that Major Count Esterhazy, in spite |
of the latters own declaration, was |
not the author of the bordereau, which, |
the witness claimed, was written on
tracing paper and was found in an en-
bassy.
General MERCER was then confronted
with M. CasimirPerier, the ex-presi-
dent of France. The latter declared
that Mercier's story, told on the wit
ness stand on Saturday, of the immi-
hence of war between Germany and
France in 1894 was grossly exaggerated.
The ex-president complained of the ac-
ton of General MERCER, then minister
Of war, in moving 10000 troops to the
frontier without consulting him.
The conformation of General MERCER
With M. Casimir-Perier lacked entirely
he dramatic character anticipated.
Both men were weighed down by the
tragedy which had just occurred. This
vas especially the case of M. Casimir-
oerier, whose attitude was quite sub
lued when compared with his heated
of Saturday.
The president asked M. Casimir-Per-
err to explain the circumstances of the
confession Dreyfus is alleged to have {
made to Captain Lebrun- Renault. M.
"a simir- Perier persisted in his state {
nent of Saturday that he had never re-
eived any condolences of this charac-
or from Captain Lebrun Renault. He
dded that M. Dupuy, the then premier, 7
vas present when Captain Lebrun-Re- t
ault called at the Elysee, Paris. /
Moreover" said M. Casimir-Perier, |
here is a letter from M. Dupuy, which c
ask may be read" /
The letter asserted that Captain Le- I
run-Renault, when questioned by M. +
)un,1y. replied that General MERCER
ad sent him to the president to receive
dressing down for his indiscreet dis v
losures to the Figaro. f
General MERCER here interposed, say h
,g. captain Lebrun- Renault spoke to n
10 in regard to the confessions in the O
resence of General Gonse, who will tes- h
fv thereto. 1t was then that l order k
4 him to go to the president of the re- Il
ublic." d
Regarding General Mercier's declara- f
ons last Saturday on the witness t
and. M. Casimir-Perier said: "Gener- n
MERCER had no right whatever to in S
,rvene in diplomatic conversation, L o
ould have prevented such interference. o.
was I alone who conferred with the
mister, and l declare that the impress e.
on 7 derived from that conversation =,
as one of complete calm, otherwise the o
cident would not have been closed by n