The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-23
.LAB0RI APPEARS
IN COURT AGAIN
Dreyfus' Counsel Re-
SumeS the Defence.
WARMLY RECEIVED.
The Evidence Against His Client Wig
orOusly Attacked.
MERCER REFUSES TO ANSWER,
WARMLY RECEIVED.
MERCER REFUSES TO ANSWER,
Labori Saws He VIII Take Necessary
Stems TO Obtain the Information He
Wants-Dreyrus Makes Strong
Denial Of Ferrcts Testimony
Grenier Considers Ester
hazy irresponsible.

RENNES. Aug. 22.-To-day was Maiue
I,aborls day az I.ycee, where Captain Al
fred Dreyfus is standing trial on charge
OF treason. Lsbori was the central hgure
OF the scene.
As the Dreyfus drama unr0lled before
a crowded court this forenoon. Laooris
tall. viking looking form. draDed IN a
long, black gown, bordered win eFInlhe'
sitting in front of the footlshts, was
the magnet which, from the moment the
curtain was rung up until IL fell at noon,
drew all regards. not merely glances OF
curiosity. but the steady gaze OF admira-
tion. Ills mere presence brought bright
ness into the courtroom and fresh light
into the proceedings.
Labori did what people had expected.
lie galvanized the dormant defence into
an active. living thing. NJ. Demange IS
conciliatory. He has always seemed 10
fear TO tread on the military corn. Ia
bori is a gladiator, and always aims TO
touch his foe 10 the quick. Let there be
the slightest opening in his opponent $
defence. and he thrusts home.
To-day. when NJ. Demange found moth
ing to ask witness, VI. Iaboris quick eye
had discovered weak spots. and he came
forward with searching questions.
HE WAS ELOQU ENT.
lie opened to-day with an eloquent
speech. and the audience could have list
ened for an hour To his rich, mei0diOus
voice. moduated tones. and then !mDas-
stoned outbursts, accompanied by ener-
getic and speaking gestures.
Generals Roget. BillOt, Mercier and
Boisdenrc, with the other military wit
nesses. gave one another anxious glsnces
..fa
viously disagreeable impressions as La
bori piled the smaller military fry. who
occupied the witness stand succesNely
to-day. with discOncerting questions.
Lab0ri c0rnered General Mercier on the
Schneider letter which the latter had
used On evidence and which Colonel
Schneider has repudiated. The General
was surprised when Labori suddenly de
manded that Mercier be recalled. Evi-
IDENTIFY he hoped the tribunal would sup
port him in refusing to explain how he
got a copy of a letter which was of later
date than his incumbency at the Ministry
Of War.
But Lab0ri was not 20 be denied. lie
insisted that Mercier should give some
explanation. Then. after hesitating. Mer-
cier declared that he would assume an
the responsibility attaching % his posses
stration OF communication by the general
stan of part at least of the secret dossicr
10 an ordinary soldier such as Mcrcier be-
came Immediately on leaving the Ministry
of War.
When Laborl had attained hts object
and forced a confession of grave viola
ton - law ON the part Of General Mer-
cier. ne gave a smile OF grim s1tisiac-
ton and then added Significantly: 81
shall have other questions % prt 20 Cen
eral Mercier"
DRAMATIC SCENE.
The scene was highly dramatic ana
made profound impression upon AN the
spectators.
General Mercier must now be spending
very miserable evening, for as the re-
suit Of this admission and with the addi
tional charge of communicating secret
documents TO the court martial OF 1894,
he is liable 20 arrest at any moment
Indeed some people think # not impossi-
bic that he will be lying I'm the military
prison adjoining the cell of Captain Drey-
fus before the week is out.
Another series of questions put by NJ
Iabori concerned LaJoux. a spy, formerly
I'm the service of the French War office,
but packed OFF 10 South America, accord
ing To various military witnesses because
he proved a swindler.
Labori asked how It was, If that were
so. that LaJoux was still receiving month
ly payments.
Commandant Rolln. completely taken
aback. replied that a cessation Of pay
ments was under consideration.
The impression conveyed by Laboris
question and the replies given was that
LaJoux was being paid by the War once
to keep out of the way In the interests OF
Esterhazy whom LaJoux In a letter read
I'm court offering revelations In the Drey-
fus affair indicated as the real traitor.
NJ IabOris examination In this
matter. therefore. was a distinct advan.
tage 90 the accused.
I.abOri announced that he intended to
recall several witnesses.
NJ. Labor announced that he intended 10
recall several witnesses who had made
feDostlons during hts absence. This
means that Nercier Roget and others viii
be put TO the test II severe cross-eXamina-
ton.
I.ABORI CONFIDENT.
To his friends NJ. Lahori expressed him
self confident Of being able 10 tear 70
pieces the evidence these generals have
given so confidently before sympathe
tic court martial
Captain DreNfus to-day pufau'u the al-
tltude he took up yesterday and replied
to the statements of hostile witnesses
with arguments ana the presentation OF
counter facts. only once giving way 10 his
feelings aud Offering a cry OF protest.
This was AZ the conclusion Of Colonel
Bertin's deposition. when with broken
voice. the accused declared his love OF
France and the army
"Yes" he cried. Il love Frahce and I
love my country. but Il Is with shtiments
different from those adimatng those
who come htre to-day TO testify aga INST
me-"
Lab0ri, n anything. was better after his
exertlons than before them. The excite
menf under which he lab0red seemed 20
act as stimulant although many |
friends. noticing his flushed face feared |
here might he a relapse So FAR from |
his being the case. however. he was able |
10 go for a drive with his wife In an |
'uto-car this evening. and on his return |
held quite a reception. afterwards spend |
Ing the time until dinner In going over |
'o-day's evidence and preparing for to- |
morrow
Tho scurriI0us attacks OF the anti Drey- |