New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-17
Star and that. IN consequence Of inquiries

General MERCER.
that he was convinced that Dreyfus was the cui-
prit He said he founded his conviction on three
facts-first the bordereau. the author OF which
was una,scoverable until Colonel Fabre. on re-
turning from the maneuvres. Immediately after
he saw the document exclaimed: why. II Is
Dreyfuss handwriting: secondly. the nature Of
the documents enumerated in the bordereau, in
conjunction with Dreyfus's employment In diff
ferent departments proved conclusvely, ac-
cording to General Mercier that Dreyfus alone
had cognizance OF all these papers. and he alone
could have disclosed them: thirdly, the dictation
test and Dreyfus's perturbation at the time.
PROSECUTION OF DREYFUS ORDERED.
General Mercier, NJ Guerin then said. In con-
sequence of these convictions, declared his In
tention to ask the Cabinet to authorize the
prosecution of Dreyfus. A special Cabinet met
on November /, 1894. to consider the matter
The witness forgot whether M. Caslmir-Perier
or NJ. Dupuy presided. General MERCER handed
the Cabinet nothing but the bordereau. AFTER
the Minister Of War had related his rea-
sons for his suspicion. the CABINET "nah-
imousy authorized the prosecution OF Drey-
fus. NJ. Hanotaux alone MADE some re-
serves or diplomatic objections oased on
the place where the document was fouhd. bu'
II WAS agreed that in the event or court mar
failing Dreyfus measures should be taken 10
prevent mention OF the name OF any Power.
From that day the witness had learned moth
ing whatever Of the case. personally, as II was
in the hands of the military authorities NJ
Guerin at that time had never heard OF the
secret documents and none were ever commuli-
Gated to the Cabinet. He only learned or the
existence of the alleged secret documents during
the lola trial. and only learned OF the alleged
confession Of Dreyfus to Captain Lebrun-
Renault from the newspapers. General MERCER
never mentioned the confession to the Cabinet.
Colonel Jouaust then questioned the Witness
saving: IN. Colbert, an expert, has declared
that Won summoned him 10 your office to give
Won information about the Dreyfus affair. DO
Won remember the occurrence? Did he not say.
on entering pointing to the clock: Monsieur
le Ministre de Justice fear lest OF this hour
grave mistake is being committed?
"Is II not a fact that you did not reply, but
that when NJ Colbert was leaving you recon-
mended him to observe extreme caution, as the
Government was DESTROYS Of keeping the treason
secret dreading particularly indiscretions upon
tho mart Of the press. and. above ALL upon the
mart Of the I,ibre Parole the suspected off,
Ger was Jew?"
NJ Guerin replied: IT cannot affirm whether
or not received NJ. Colbert, but what l can az
firm Is that II he came did not employ the Ian
guage mentioned, and made none OF the state
ments he attributes to me-"
LEBONs ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY CRUELTY.
NJ. Lebon. former Minister Of the Colonies,
was then summoned to testify regarding MS
treatment Of the prisoner. He said that when
the Cabinet was asked to intervene In favor OF
a revision he thought the executive should not
interfere with the judiciary. and his respect FOR
the chose tugee was strengthened by his per-
sonal opinion of the culpabilty OF the con-
demned ION my soul and conscience declared
NJ Lebon dramatically, Il say l regard the
measures I took relative to the prisoner on the
lie du Diable as warranted. and II had to re-
peat them I should not hesitate
NJ. Lebon then explained the reasons for the
rigorous measures against Dreyfus. He said a
certain telegram sent to French Guiana disap-
reared IL was traced out of France but imme-
diately it reached the English lines 1t disap-
peared. showing, the witness said, that efforts
were being made to enable the prisoner to evade
the regulations. Rigorous. even painful meas
ures were therefore taken to prevent his escape.
NJ. Lebon therefore issued orders that. If neces-
sary. the prisoner was to be fired upon. (Sensa-
tiCn)
Continuing. NJ. Lebon said that he also Issued
orders that only copies Of the letters addressed
TO the prisoner should be delivered to him, the
originals being retained. The witness was in
formed on August 10 that an American vessel
passed the lies du Salut and orders were then
issued that Dreyfus was to be shot on the slight
est alarm.
Referring to the Weyler forgery. NJ. Lebon
said he frankly admitted that he believed in its
authenticity. as did Colonel Pcquart.. until long
after It's production.
NJ Lebon next referred TO the numerous rough
draughts the prisoner made of his letters before
finally dispatching them.
MAITRE DEMANGE SURPRISED.
At this point NJ Demange interrupted the wit
ness and said Il pass from surprise to surprise
Yesterday it was a witness playing the part OF
prosecutor To-day one witness defends himself
by saving his conscience is tranquil. He is well
come 10 a TRANQUIL conscience. But ask him II
he finds It surprising that this man, alone out
there. on a lost island should have poured out
his soul on paper. l ask again, why you al
lowed the forged Weyler letter. in which hand
writing was indicated. to reach Dreyfus?"
To this NJ Lebon replied we could not give
up the original. But the idea never occurred to
any agents OF the administration to subject
Dreyfus to the savage and atrocous treatment
which has been spoken Of"
Colonel Jouaust, addressing Dreyfus. asked:
did you receive the letter just referred tor"
Dreyfus replied: Eyes, Colonel"
What impression did It make on your"
81 understood nothing Of what It contained,
answered the prisoner. (Sensatlon)
The Weyler letter referred to above was in
tended to convey the impression that Dreyfus
was in communication with outside sympathiz-
ers.
At this Juncture some time was occupied in
reading a long report from the Minister Of the
Colonies to the Minister OF War. giving the vari-
Gus reports Of the Governor OF French Guiana
parranoc describing the dread tho nrisnnnr nY.