The San Francisco call., 1899-08-13

and he spoke almost, inaudibly and in
weak monotonous pitch of voice, which
produced a soporific effect upon those
who were not able to distinguish his
words, but who were within hearing OF
This monotone, with hardly a break. ex-
cept when the clerk read the various
documents, MERCER presented to the
court, lasting nearly four hours, with ten
minutes suspension at IL, When there
was a general feeling that the witness
was going to provoke, as the Dreyfusaros
predicted, an utter fiasco.
General MERCER wore on his breast tie
DECORATION Of grand officer of the Legion
of Honor While he was under examine
ton General Mercier asked Colonel
Jouaust to allow him to present docu-
ment showing how an espionage system
was organized in France by Colonel
Schwartzkoppen, the former German
military attache al Paris The document
referred TO the fortitications of the
General MERCER then entered into an
explanation tending to prove that
Schwartzkoppen was at the head of the
afterward had the favored letter con-
tanning the words 'Cette canaille de
In the meanwhile Dreyfus watched
Mercier through his eyeglass, but appar-
emily quite unmOved. The witness who
Casimir-P -Perier, seated in front of row
of private seats. He leaned forward with
his hands on his knees, except when ex-
cited. when he lifted up his hands in an
expressive gesture OF disgust or impa-
tience.
Mercier, who had his back turned to the
but after he had completed his testimony
and had reiterated all the charges con-
tanned in NJ. d'Ormeschvilles bill Of in
dictment, Mercier presented a document
TO be read by the clerk, which proved to
be the alleged Dreyfus letter concerning
the alleged engagement entered into with
NJ. Casimir-Perier, which the latter had
so hotly denounced. The last breath had
barely left the clerks lips when NJ. CAST
mir-Perier jumped up and shouted:
That is the letter L read in the news
paperi"
General Mercier, startled, turned around
and muttered excuses, saying he did not
believe a President of the republic would
enter into such an engagement.
To this NJ. Casimir-Perier retorted in
tone of the bitterest sarcasm, Thank
you. general, for this testimonial"
At the end of his evidence General Mer-
cier said he believed that the only motive
of Dreyfus' treason was that Dreyfus had
no feeling OF patriotism.
This cruel utterance brought forth
Kisses from the audience whose blood
had been sent up to fever heat by the
witness savage attacks on Dreyfus. Cen
eral MERCER hearing the Kisses, terminal
IF the least doubt crossed my mind,
gentlemen, [ would be the first to declare
II TO you and say before you TO Captain
Dreyfus. 1 am mistaken, but in good
faith.
Then Dreyfus electrified his hearers.
He jumped to his feet as though the
ana shouted with a voice which rang
throughout the hall like a trumpet note:
That is what you ought to say"
The audience burst into a wild cheer
whereupon the ushers called for silence.
General MERCER then stammered: II
would ccme and say, Captain Dreyfus.
with the same good faith to acknowledge
it, and l will do all in human power to
repair the frightful error q"
The prisoner then shouted, why don't
you, then? That is your duty"
At this there was another .outburst of
applause. General MERCER, after pause
when the excitement had partially
calmod. said:
well. no. My conviction since 1894 has
not suffered the slightest weakening. 1t
IS fortified by the deepest study Of the
dossier and also by the inanity of the
proving the innocence of the condemned
man of 1894 in spite of the evidence accu-
mulated and in spite of the millions of
Colonel Jouaust then said: Have you
finished"
General MERCER replied yes"
Colonel Jouaust then announced that the
sessions of the court-martial would be
resumed Monday morning.
NJ. Casimir-Perier thereupon arose and
said: After the deposition of General
MERCER l shall ask the court to hear me.
and l would prefer to be in conformation
This announcement caused a sensation.
Then followed a thrilling demonstration
against General MERCER. AS he turned to
leave the court the audience rose en- masse
and Kissed and cursed him, those at the
back of the court standing on benches and
chairs in order to better hound him.
The gendarmes placed themselves be-
tween the general and the audience. which
showed a strong disposition to naltreat
the former Minister of War.
General MERCER hurried out of the court
room through a side door. On emerging
| into the street the crowd outside cheered
the general and cried, 'Vive Harmee."
All" cried a spectator of the scene in
court. eff they had heard the human mon
! ster speak they would not cheer him
now"
| One newspaper man in court was arrest
| ed for calling General MERCER as he
! passed by him a murderer. But later on
| the man was released. Dreyfus was hur-
ried out by gendarmes, who Immediately
| cleared the courtroom.