Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-25
He Proves Their |nfamy and Stamps
Them as a Pack Of Liars.
Gen. Mercier Is Merci|ess|y Roasted
Either Witnesses Troubles,

NJ Labori-''Do you remember seeing
any foreign diplomats there"
Nj. Linolle-"Not at all. Besides N
Eodson was not of foreign extraction
ic was the son of an Orleans vinera,
merchant"
There was considerable stir In court
when the name Of Col. Maurel. who
was president of the Dreyfus court
martial Of 1894. was called out and the
colonel appeared at the witness bar. He
started by emphaticaIly denying that
any communication, verbal or written
was made to the members of the court
during the course Of the trial. He said
they only knew the case from the docu-
lnents in the dossier and the testimony
given.
Then the colonel, saying he only de-
sired to speak Of matters upon which
his recollection was clear, proceeded ia
declare he had nothing to say in re-
gard 10 the expert evidence Of NJ
CharaVay. NJ. Teyssonieres Of NJ. PeIle-
tier. But, he added, NJ BertilIon's tes
timony appealed to the eyes and minds
OF the judges. 1t had been said that
the Judges did not understand it, but
that was not true
Regarding the evidence given at the
courtmartial of 1894 witnesses said he
considered Du Patty de Clam had only
gwen the court a circumspect repeti-
ton Of his report, while the late Lieut..
Col. I1enry's evidence would have been
more forcible if less exaggerated. At
the same time Maurel believed Henry
Ii lI SnnLan yifhn,rt ha.
The prisoners attitude at the trial
was correct and calm. His repeated
denials and protests were far from as
tonishing the witness.
They seemed perfectly natural The
only letter handed to Col MaureI dur
ing the course of the trial was not
brought by Col. Picquart. The letter.
moreover, was returned the same even
ing to the officer who brought it.
Replying to NJ. Labor. Maurel said
he did not know Gen. MERCER and had
never seen him since the trial until
June last
NJ. Laborl-"Can Col Maurel tell us
70 what he attributes the secret COM
of the dossier?"
COL. Maurel-"I have not the slightest
idea"
NJ. Labori-"Can you tell us the name
Of the officer who brought you the
private letter."
Col. Maurcl-"It was Du Patty de
clam" (SensationD
NJ. L3bori-"Werc not many docu
mcnts in this secret dossier? can YOU
state what they were?"
Col. Maurel-"i saw only one of them.
did not look at the others because nv
mind was already made up
NJ. Labori-"Had the other members
IF the court also made up their minds?"
Col. Maurel-"Yes." Witness added
that two members of the court confid-
ed to him on this subject.
NJ. Labori-"Can YOU tell us how
knowing. as the judge, that it was
your duty to seek conscientiousiy for
information. and to expect sincere
communication from the public prose-
cutor, that is to say. communication
setting forth all the points in the case,
ooth Tor and against the prisoner you
'ould he of the opinion that your mind
was loyalty made up after reading a
single document" Profound sensa-
ion).
Col. Mdurel said he failed to clearly |
grasp the question, and NJ. Labor re-
'eatcd his query, whereupon the wit |
ness replied that he could not answer. |
because if he did he would have to |
peak of the first document in the dos |
ier. which convinced the court of the |
prisoners guilt
At this point NJ. Labor said he would |
ike to confront Col. Maurel with Capt. |
Treystaetter another of the judges at |
he courtmartial of 1894 But Frey
;taettcr was not present, and Col
Mauref promised to wait q few days |
md give the captain an opportunity
# attending.
A lively incident followed. NJ La
,ori having asked leave to interrogate
zen. MERCER. the government commits
AIRY, Major Carriere, took the occasion |
o remark that while counsel had the
light to ask questions he had no bust
less to draw deductions. to which the
awyer dryly replied that he had al
Ways acted with a full knowledge of
he restrictions imposed upon counsel.
nd that he had no need Of lessons
rom Major Carriere and would not ac-
ept them.
Gen. MERCER was then recalled and il
1as noted that he had donned his
inform for the first time. The i'm
ression thereby created was that the
eneral expecting hot cross-exami-
alton. thought that his uniform would
erhaps protect him.
NJ. Labor said he desired to know if
Continued on page 81