Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-25


quiet, remarking that the judges could
! not hear half dozen people at the
same time.
During the course of the morning NJ.
Labori questioned Gen. MERCER with
reference to a document in the secret
dossier, which, it is affirmed, existed
prior to 1894, and yet was not produced
at the first courtmartial of the prisoner.
The general confessed that he did not
know of its existence and the same
statement was elected from Gen.
Gonse, who declared that Col. Sandherr
was responsible for its non-production.
The replies were tantamount to a
confession that Col. Sandherr and
Lieut. Col. Henry played with the min
lister of war, and even that Gen. Gonse,
assistant chief of the headquarters
staff, the chief of the intelligence de-
partment, kept from the two latter just
what he pleased.
Then NJ. Labori proceeded to take up
! the Panizardi dispatch and to bring out
the contradictory translations OF 1t and
the falseness of the final version. After
hearing Gen. MERCER and Gen. Ghanion
on the subject. Col. Jouaust declared
the court would rule the dispatch out OF
evidence.
! The examination of Gen. Mercier
! having been concluded. Col. Jouaust
asked Dreyfus of he
HAD ANYTHING TO SAY.
and the prisoner, in a calm voice, re-
piled to Mercier's statement that he,
Dreyfus, could have obtained the infor-
nation about the artillery, promised to
the bordereau, while staying at Bour-
ges, where artillery trials were being
held Dreyfus entered into an explain
alton as to how he spent his time,
showing that he did not inform him
self about the trials of the new gun
brake.
Gen. Risbourg recounted what Capt.
I
this brought the latter to his feet with
a thrilling declaration. He pointed out
that the Captain shook him by the hand
when he returned to the prison, which
J is at variance with what Gen. Risbburg
recounted. Moreover" cried Dreyfus,
when frightful charge has been hang
/
people ought not to talk of convictions,
but should bring proofs. Otherwise |
cease to understand the matter." Drey-
/ fus then denied the story that he had
made a confession to Capt. Lebrun-
Renault
The effort to protect Mercier became
apparent when NJ Labori asked leave
to interrogate the general. and Maj.
Carriere remarked that while counsel
had the right to ask questions, he had
no business to draw deductions. to
which the lawyer dryly replied that he
had always acted with a full knowledge
| of the restrictions imposed upon coun-
sci, and that he had no need of lessons
from Maj Carriere, and would not ac-
cept them. Gen. MERCER was then re-
called, and it was noted that he had
DONNED HIS UNIr ORM
| for the first time. The impression there
by created was that the general, expect
I ing a bot cross-examination, thought
his uniform would protect him.
NJ Labori said he desired 10 know if
Gen MERCER admitted ordering Col.
Maurel to communicate secret docu-
ments to the court-martial of 1884?
Gen. Mercier-I knew I did not have
the right to give formal orders to that
effect. but I gave moral orders. in
manner sufficiently clear.
Replying to further questions the gen.
eral said that when Dreyfus was ar
rested he knew of no other proof against
him than the bordereau. There were,
therefore, only suspicious, but 1t was
urgently necessary not TO lose time in
arresting him. in order to stop the
REASONABLE practices.
NJ. Labori here asked Col Jouaust to
secure the evidence of NJ Papilland,
the editor of Libre Parole. in regard
to the "Dixi" letter. in which the name
of Dreyfus was disclosed as that of the
officer arrested for espionage. AS Col.
Jouaust hesitated. NJ Labori insisted
upon the necessity for an examination
OF Papilland, ''in order to reach the
! truth | am seeking The whole re-
sponsiioility for this case" counsel add
ed, Il believe. really rests upon the late
Col Henry and Col Du Patty de Clam"
Resuming his examination of Gen.
Mercier, NJ. Labori asked him several
questions as TO why, at the first ascrib-
ed date of the bordereau, April, Gen.
MERCER said, in 1894, that he was only
acquainted with the reasons which ex-
listed for believing Dreyfus guilty and
had not paid much attention to the de-
/ tails. The general
REFUSED TO REPLY
! to many of the questions For in
stance, he declined TO say whether he
had examined the proofs advanced