New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-25

csnsra, Mercier--I did not feel called upon

co,..,, M.rc,er.--I did not feel called upon
to do so.
colonel Jouaust-TelI US General. why when
ron were apprised OF the confession you did not
send some one to Dreyfus to try to get SUD-
stantiation and discover what he had not told
Du Patty de Clam?
General Mercier-Dreyfus had written me that
he refused TO discuss the confessions with Du
patv de Clam. and took no further steps
Colonel Jouaust-But. since the prisoner
seemed to have begun making avowals OF MS
guilt. why did you not follow the matter up?
General Mercier-I might, perhaps, nave
thought Of It, But 1t did not occur to me-
The prisoner again protested that the Inquiry
ought to have been followed up. Because IL
would have served to destroy the nction OF d
confession to which such importance Is now at
tached." (Sensation) Continuing. Dreyfus SAID
will you permit me, Colonel. to make small
remark with reference to the fiction or my con-
LESSONS? I remained in the prison OF La Sante
for two or three weeks and saw NJ. Demange
during that period, and also then and while l
was at the lie de Re wrote to the Minister OF
War and others. 1 believe the letters wrote
are contained in the secret dossier. l believe l
also wrote TO the head Of the State. How Is IL 1
was never asked about the legend OK my con-
fesson. that was In a position to destroy I'M
mediately? I never heard word OF IT. IL was
only four years later, In January, lS99, wnen
interrogated by the commissioners sent by the
Court OF Cessation that heard OF this fiction.
What 7 do not understand is that while was
still in France no one spoke to me or this nc
ton. which could have been disposed OF before
the egg was Matched. by proving IL laise
legend and nothing more"
Major Cure testified to conversation ne had
with Colonel Picquart in 1906, when the witness
gave Esterhazy a very bad character.
Billot. formerly a porter at the War ONCE,
doposed as to the visit Of Maitre Leblois TO
Colonel Picquart. which the latter has never
denied
WARNED AGAINST EsTERHAZY.
NJ Jules Roche. Deputy and ex-Minister.
testified to his acquaintance with Esterhazy in
1894. when the witness was studying the aues-
ton OF the suficiency Of the effective strength
OF the army, which had become more important
in CONSEQUENCE of the new German law Of 1893
adding eighty thousand men to the German
Army. Esterhazy. It appeared. afterward VS.
tied NJ. Roche and wrote to him on various oc-
fact that the late Lieutenant Colonel Henry
was Indebted to him. NJ. Roche also described
the steps he took to procure the admission OF
Esterhazy into the War ONCE.
Replying to the Government commissary, NJ.
Roche declared that General Billot. who was
then Minister OF War. told him he must cease
to interest himself in Esterhazy. mot only for
private and legal reasons. but for other reasons
still more peremptory."
NJ. Labori insisted upon having further de-
tails OF General Billots statement. The wit
ness said he could not recall the exact words OF
the Minister but their effect then was such that
he felt under moral obligation to cease to in
terest himself in Esterhazy.
After brief suspension Of the session NJ. De
Veruine special commissary of the Minister Of
War. testified that Colonel Picquart was or
dered to have Esterhazy watched. Witness in
formed General Gonse. and the latter was ad-
vised to continue the investigation dscreetly.
On several occasions, witness continued. Ester
hazy was seen entering the German Embassy,
always quite openly, but dressed in civilian
clothes. NJ. De Veruine Esterhazy enter
the German Embassy October %. 1897. He
stayed there hour, and drove to the Credit
Foncier "a financial institution, whence he went
to the Office OF La Patrie.'
NJ Labori-What does General Roget think OF
the part played by Esterhazy?
General Roget have said that the part
played by Esterhazy escaped me completely.
M. Labori--General Roget however, spoke Of
the syndicate though 1t was public insti-
tuition.
General Roget-Exactly, it is a public institu-
ton. Everybody talks of It,
RoGETs OPINION OF EsTERHAzY
NJ Labori-General Roget mentioned a mat
ter Of 100000 francs TO Esterhazy. l insist
upon asking General Roget what he thinks Of
Esterhazy's visit to Colonel Schwartzkoppen
(the German military attache) October 3d. 1897
the same day as the interview in Mont Souris
Park. visit during the course OF which 1t is
known that Esterhazy threatened 10 commit
suicide II the German military attache refused
to declare that he Esterhazy, was not the au-
thor OF the bordereau?
General Roget-It Is not for me to say what
think OF 1t.
NJ Labori resuming his seat said: Very
good" cloud and prolonged laughter)
Colonel Fleur retired. testified to the numer-
Gus alleged inaccuracies in Colonel Cordiers
testimony before the Court of Cessation Cor
der told the witness that the dismissal
of himself and Colonel Sandherr was be-
ginning OF a Jewish revenge. and added that
the Jews had influenced General De Boisdeffre.
Cordier also said that he had not doubted the
guilt of Dreyfus. The witness dramatically
added
What was my stupefaction when. later
heard Colonel Corder express ideas dametri-
cally opposite to those he expressed to me.
Proceeding Colonel Fleur repeated the tattle
intending to incriminate Dreyfus. when NJ. De-
mango interrupted him. saying: This is moth
ing but gossip"
NJ Labori asked that all the persons men
TONED by Colonel Fleur be cited to appear