The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-14
MERCER ON THE STAND
He Struggles Hard to Prove
Dreyfns' Guilt.

| RENNES, France, Aug. IA, 1899
hearing the news of the Labor outrage.
and owing to the absence OF Maitre De-
mango, counsel for Dreyfus' family, who
left the court instantly when he heard Of
the shooting and hurried to NJ. Labori's
side, Colonel Jouaust suspended the sit
ting of the court martial until 7:15 O'Clock
when the proceedings We're recommended
with the conformation Of General Mer-
cier, formerly Minister of War, and NJ
Casimer-Perier ex-President of France
Eager struggles for seats in court today
and $40 were seated. There were the usu-
al military honors. Immediately after the
prisoner arrived, the President announced
that in consequence OF the applause and
other expressions of opinion on Saturday
he had decided that if there was any fur
ther interruption the court would be-
cleared.
During the adjournment of the court
in consequence Of the announcement of
the attempt on the life of M. Labori the
audience engaged in violent alterations
over the incident.
expressing the opinion that all the news
papers ought to regard themselves as re-
sponsible for the outrage, whereupon
Madame Ssvrine loudly protested saying:
No It's you who ought to be held re-
sponsible for what has happened!''
The clamor finally became SO violent
that gendarmes We're forced to separate
the combatants and take away the silks
of all those present but calm was finally
restored and the session was resumed, as
already cabled.
life out of this mornings session, and,
but for the sympathy the attempt is
certain to excite throughout the country
for NJ. Labori and Dreyfus. the deprava-
ton of NJ. Labori's Invaluable services to
the prisoner would be severe blow to
the latter's prospects.
The murderer apparently choose today
for the attempt because it was known NJ.
Labori would crush General Mercier. the
former Minister of WARMTH his cross
Questioning.
The news caused an immense sensation
in the court room. NJ LabOris absence
had just been announced when suddenly
M. Jaunay, Syndic of the Judiciary press,
rushed into the room and shouted
IN. Labori has been shotp'
All present gave a gasp OF horror and
surprise and then every man jumped to
his feet and volley of questions was
hurled at M Jaunay's head. who,.f crying.
again, followed by a number OF his hear
ers The remainder Of those present were
compelled to remain. as the proceedings
wer about to commnce and they excited
ly discussed the crime and vigorously de-
nounced the authors
When the court martial was resumed
General Mereier was confronted with NJ.
Casimir-P Perier, the former President OF
story, told on the witness stand Saturday.
of the imminence of war between Ger
many and France in 1894, was grossly ex-
aggerated, and complained of the action
of the then Minister of War (AIercier1 in
moving 60,000 troops to the frontier with
out consulting him.
AS it was NJ. Labordi's task to take
General MercieF in hand and Demanee
associate counsel, was quite unprepared
for the task the few question the latter
put were practically Of little effec and
General Mercier escaped cheaply
Moreover, NJ. Demange was deeply af-
fected by the attempt to assassinate his
colleague and was quite unable to do
himself justice.
When General Mercier was recalled. in
reply 10 the President of the Court, he
reiterated his belief that Major Count Es-
terhazy, in spite of the latterss own dec
laration, was not the author of the Bor-
dereau, which, the witness claimed, was
written on tracing paper and was found
In an embassy
The President asked NJ Casimer-P -Perier
to explain the circumstances of the con-
fession Dreyfus is alleged to have made
to Captain Lebran Renault. M. Casimir-
Perier persisted in his statement OF Sat
condolences of this character from Cap
tain Lebrun-RenauH. He added NJ Du-
puy, then Premier, was present when
Captain Lebrun-Renault called at the
Elysee Paris.
More over said H. Caslmir-P -Perier,
sshere Is a letter from NJ Dupuy, which
/ asked may be read.
The latter asserted that Captain Lebru-
Renault. when questioned by NJ Dupuy,
zeplied that General MERCER had sent him
to the President to receive a dressing
down for his indiscreet disclosures to
the Figaro
General MERCER here interposed, say
ing
in regard to the confessions in the pres
ence of General Gonse. who will testify
thereto. 1t was then that ordered him
to go TO the President Of the Republic. 2
Regarding General Mercier's decIara-
tions on Saturday last on the witness
stand. M Casinir-Perier said
General Mercier had no right whatever
to intervene in d diplomatic conversation.
would have prevented such interference
It was alone who conferred with the
Minister and declare that the impression
derived from that conversation was one
would not have been closed by the franz
ing of note
1--WE had no telegram from Berlin that
evening 1t was in regard to note the
been any news regard to the matter on
the evening of the sixth we should not
have waited until the eighth to publish
dressed to i frendiy power relative to
the incident. The incident has been mag
nified. besides. in the event OF diplomatic
complications. the President would have
communicated with the Minister Of
Fsoregn Affairs
General Mercier replied that he went
10 the Elysee Palace as Minister Of War.
He recalled that General de Bnisdeffre
could testify in regard TO the orders re-
eeived. NJ. Denlangee seized upon this
declaration and insisted that General
Nercier repeat the statement that he had
given orders to General de Rois5effre on |
the sixth sresa live to mobilization.
NJ. Casinlir- Perier. resuming his testi-
mony said he did not desire to reply to |
certain Of General Mereier's insinuations. |
Il do not wish to answer them. said I