Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-08-18

Dreyfus Deeply Affected.
Rcnnas, France, Aug 15.-The scene
which followed the announcement in
the Dreyfrs court-martial that Maitrc
Labori had been shot was one of pam
demonium.
Madame Sevrine accused the anti
Dreyfusards of melting the act of the
assassin. Instantly two hundred news
paper men and women rushed into YER
bal conflict Colonel Jouast took the
newspaper mems canes away and then
threatened to clear the court room.
Dreyfus seemed much affected but
1t was whispered to him that his coun-
sells injuries were not fatal.
Rennes, France. Aug. 15.-The Drey-
fuS court-martal was already assemb-
ling and about to open the session
when Taunay big French journalist,
bounded into the court room shouting
that Labor was wounded.
The excitement among the CORE
spondents turned to anger between the
factions and there was an eXtraordin-
airy scene. 1t began with Madam Sew
rine accusing the anti-Drcyfus party Of
again resortiug to the assassins wcap-
Oh. Arthur Meyer. of the Gaulois. furi.
ouSlN rotortCd. and instantly the 200
newspaper mon and women took sides.
1t was easier to believe one in mad
house than in the presence of the
greatest trial of the century.
TIE police then proceeded to take
away the canes of all the newspaper
mcn present. and Colonel Jouast. who
entered few minutes late. delivered
lecture to the reporters telling them
not TO make any manifestation or he
would clear the court. This warning
was prompted by reports that the
newspaper men were responsible for
the disturbance Saturday when Mer-
cier finished testifying.
NJ. Daman%c. who came in after see
ing Labor, arose and, in broken
voice, announced the attempted aSSas-
sination of his colleague. Colonel
Jouast expressed his extreme regret
over the affair.
General Mcrcier resumed the witness
stand after the reassemblng of the
court.
Colonel Jouast said: "Esterhazy to-
day declares himself the author of the
bordercau.'
General MERCER replied: 81 believe
that is lie
NJ. Demange then demanded the con-
frontatiOn of NJ. Casimir-Perier and
General MERCER.
This demand was granted, and the
eX-IreSident of the Republic strobe to
the side of his former Minister of War.
Then enSucd Il dramatic scene such
as was never before witnessed before
human tribunal and such as probably
no other nat on @ uld produce. 1t is an
evaporation. perhaps, to describe Gen
eral Merccr'S attitude as cringing. hut
It WAS not unlike that of a guilty pupil
before his master.
NJ. Casimr Perier was erect. clear
voiced and Imperative. He spoke like
a man having Il stern and painful duty
to perform from which he did not
shrink, vet who pitied his former pro-
tege who must be crushed thereby.
II know" he said, that this trial is
frauglt with tragic consequences to
General MERCER. and | do not wish to
Rg"ravate Them: hut | am the master
IF my own thought and conscience.
r'ust point out the mistakes in his evil
drnce. One point clear in my memory
Is that General MERCER told me that
the documents enumerated in the bor-
dorcau were without Importance"
General MERCER interrupted. saying
that he had told VI. Casimr Perler ex-
actly the opposite.
NJ. CasimirPerier insisted upon the
correctness of his statement. and pro-
ceeded to say that he had no memory
of the scene described by Gen. Mprcier
In which he 0he Witness. Premier Du-
puy and General MERCER, fearful of
war with Germany. sat waiting n
whole evening TO receive n dispatch
from Berlin.
"Iu regard to Drevfus's alleged con-
fessiOn to Captain Lebrun- Renaud no
word reached me for many days. Can
tain Lebrun-Henaud came to the Ely
sec on account of an article in the
Figaro. for which I rebuked him. He
said nothing about any admissions by
Drcyfus"
General Mercer replied that Captain
Iebrun-Renaud had been sent to the
Elysee for the purpose Of informing NJ.
Casimir-Perier of Dreyfus's admis-
sions
NJ. CaSimir-Perier repeated that Le-
hrun- Remand had not said word on
the subject and that he (witness) had
heard of the matter Indirectly some
time aftcrward.
NJ. Demange interviewed occasionally
to bring ont the points of Casimlr-
Perier's declarations more forcibly.
The two witnesses continued to con-
tradict one another during the fifteen
minutes the scene lasted. The ex-
President was always clear, precise
and emphatic and often accompanied
his words with strong gestures. Gen
eral MERCER was persistent to the last.
but his voice was often inaudible to
half the hall.
The ex-President withdrew from the
stand and VI. Demange briefly cross.
examined General MERCER.