Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-15
General Mercier Put on Stand
and Confronted by Ex-Pres-
ident Cassimer-Perier.
DEMANGE is In CHARGE.
Tried to Examine SIercter. but Being
Utterly Unprepared Was Unable
TO Gain NIuch-Adjourned
TIL Wednesday.

hehlies, -AuS' lf.7~NpS Ass 'CiatSo
Press s)-The Dreyfus court-martial re-
convened this mo-ni::g at 7:ao. Maitrc
Demange, of Dreyfus' counsel, an
nounced that though Labori's wound
was less serious rha, at first supposed,
it would be impossible for him 10 take
part in the proceedings. Gen. Mercier
was recalled to the witness stand.
Mercier was at once confronted with
ex-President Casimir- ?erier, us ar
ranged at the close of Saturdays ses-
sion. Casimir-Perier declared that
Mercier's story as to the imminence OF
war between France and Germany was
grossly exaggerated He complained
of the action OF Mercier. who was then
minister of war, in moving 10000
troops to the frontier without consult
ing him. AS it was Labori's task 10
take Mercier in hand, and ,as Demange,
the associate counsel, was totally un-
prepared for the task, few questions
that he asked had little effect, and
Mercier escaped cheaply.
When Mercier was called he reiterat-
ed his belief that Esterhazy, in spite
OF the latters own confession, was not
the author of the bordereau. Col.
Jouaust asked Casiinir-parier TO eN-
plain the circumstances of the confes-
sion Dreyfus is alleged to have made
TO Capt. Lebrun-Renanlt. Casimer-
perier insisted that he never received
any condolences of this character from
Renault, adding that Dupuy, then
premier, was present when Renault
was called. "Moreover, said C;isimir
Perier. there is letter from Dupuy
which ASK shall he read. The letter
asserted that Renault had been ques-
TONED by Dupuy, replied that Mercier
sent him to the president to receive "a
dressing down for his indiscreet dis
closures to Figaro. Mercier interposed,
saying: ..Lebrun-Renault spoke to me
i'll regard 10 the confessions in the
presence of General Come, who will
testify thereto. 1t was then ] ordered
him to go to the president of the re-
public"
Regarding Mercier's declarations Sat
,nday, Casmr-tar;cr said: .'Nercier
had no right whatever to intervene in
Diplomatic conversation. | would have
prevented such interference. II was
alone who conferred with the minister.
] declare that the impression | derived
fromthat conversation was one ri com
plete calm,otherwise the incident would
rot have been closed by the framing
of the note. We had no telegram from
Berlin that evening. If there had been
any news in regard to the matter on
the evening of the 9th we would no,
have waited till the sth to publish the
note. No dispatch was addressed to a
friendly power relative to the incident
The incident has been magnitied. Be,
sides in The event of diplomatic nego-
Stiations. the president wonld have con-
mmicated with the minister of foreign
affairs.
MERCER replied that he Went to the
Elysee as minister of var, and tha,
General Bosdeffre could testify as tc
the orders he received. Demauge in
sisted that MERCER repent the state
ment that Boistleffre had "iven orders
on the 9th relative to mobilization.
Casimir-Perier aid he lit no. reply
to certain of Mercier's insnuations.
II do not wish to answer them" he
3 said. The circumstances are TOO sad
and too tragic for me to desire to en-
venom the discussion. ] am master oil
myself and of my conscience, and
would only state that Mercier has
made every effort TO mix me up as
deeply as possible in this affair. But
have remained aloof during the prog,
ress of the Investigations
Casimlr-Perier complained of the in.
correct behavior of his subordinate to-
ward the chief of state.
After Cayainnac and Hanotauy the
former minister of foreign affairs, had
testified. the court adjourned till Wed
nesday.