The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-13

t'hSu " MIN Respectfully. Wnen MS teStl
fnony was ended, Nj. Casmir- Perier wa
conducted back to his seat by non com
missioned officer and all eyes were direct
ed toward the door to the right There
was a moment of painful suspense anC
then General MERCER entered the court
room and was conducted to the witness.
stand by a soldier. He lifted his right
hand before the crucfix and swore to tel
tht whole truth. He appeared to be IL
broken health. He spoke in hoarse
voice. coughed frequently and asked to bs
allowed to be seated.
AS he sat down he placed brilliant
crimson and gold KEPT on the shelf at
tached to the witness rail, where It re-
NAMED q striking patch during the time
he gave his testimony, which lasted from
III a. m. until noon. He leaned forward
while speaking. his hands sometimes rest
Ing on the rail. but more often he was
neryously twitchlng his fingers and twist
ing pair OF white gloves, which he dotted
on entering the court. Beside his kept
lie placed black leather wallet full of
papers, and he accompanied his remarks
with continual nodding of his head. He
gave the impression of stiffness his fore
head was wrinked. his eyebrows were
contracted and his eyes peered through
between puffy eyelids. His cheeks were
sallow and he spoke almost inaudibly and
In a weak. monotonous pitch OF voice,
[ "i'iNh PAouuCsN Il SUpOTlUc eject on those
who were not able to distinguish his words
but who were within hearing of his voice
RMS monologue, with hardly break. eX.
cept when the clerk read the various docu-
ments presented to the court lasted nearly
four hours, with ten minutes suspension,
al II O'Clock, when there was a general
feeling that the witness was going TO
prove. as the Dreyfusites predicted. an
utter fiasco.
General Mercier wore on his breast ths
decoration of grand officer of the Legion
of Honor.
While he was under examination Gem
eral Mercier asked to be allowed to pre-
sent document showing how an espionage
system was organized in France by Colonel
eon"art]Koppen, the former German mill
tary attache at Paris. The document rs-
ferred to the fortiilcations of the Meuse
General MERCER then entered into an ex- |
PLANTATION tending to prove Schwartzkon- |
pen was at the head of the German ps-
plonase IN France and afterwards had the |
lasoieu letter containing the words "Cette |
canallle de-" read. In the meanwhiIa |
pleyfus watched Mercier through his eve
glasses, but apparently was quite nm
moved. The witness who displayed tho
deepest lntereset was NJ. Casimir-Perier.
seated in front OF a row of private seals
ne leaned forward with his hands on his
knees, except when very excited when
ne lifted his hands up in an expressive.
gesture OF disgust or Impotence. Mercier
VINO mad his back turned to the former
president saw nothing of this, but after
ne had completed his testimony and had
ItlteIatea an the charges contained in NJ.
Ormes- Cheyelles' bill of Indictment
MERCER presented document to he re,6
py the clerk, which proved to be the al
legged Dreyfus letter concerning the al
lesed engagement entered into with NJ ,
ptaass,l.iliir-Perrler, which the latter had SO
ihouS denounced The last breath had !,
hardly left the clerks lips when NJ Cast,
mir-Perrer jumped up and shouted,
That is the letter / read in the news
papers" A'"s- s
General MERCER startled, turned round
ana mutter excuses, saying he did not be- c
lieYe the president of the republic would G
enter INTO such an engagement. s
10 THIS NJ. Casimir- Perer retorted in i
tone OF btterest sarcasm: THANK YOU. u
general, for This testimonial" a
AZ the end of his evidence General Mer a
'ler SAID he believed that the only motive :
ii Dreyfus treason was that Dreyfus had !,
40 leeiing OF patriotism. This cruel Ut il
erance brought forth Kisses from the au. Il
Hence, whose blood had been worked I'm G,
o fever heat by the witnesses savage at is
ack on Dreyfus h
General Mercier. not needing the Kisses. y
ermlnated with remarking. "If the least ~
oubt crossed my mind. gentlemen. | il
'ouid be the first to declare 1t TO you and c
say before you to Captain Dreyfus. Il v
m mistaken, but in good faith" "
Then Dreyfus electrified bis hearers. He al
Jumped to his feet as though the words W
au galvanized him into new life and c
houted with voice that rang throughout i
he hall like a trumpet note: THAT Is "
WAT YOU OUGHT TO SAY"
The audience burst into a wild cheer ST
hereupon the ushers called for silence Cd
General MERCER then stammere1: II y
'ould come to say: Captain Dreyfus, was "
mistaken in good faith and ! come with ~
he same good faith to admit It, ana / Ii,
Ill do all in human power to repair the III
'ightful error. ed
The prisoner then shouted: "Why DOM an
ou then. That is your duty" ~, ,h
At this there was another outburst M mr.
pplause. General MERCER, after pause. na
hen the excitement had partially calmed dill
lid well. no. Ny conviction since 1904 er!
as not suffered the slightest Weakening M
is fortified by the deepest study OF tho "a
,ssier and also by means resorted to for d.,
70 purpose of proving the innocence a, The
70 condemned man OF 1894 in spite of TIA Ap
idence accumulated and in spite OF the TIN
illions OF money expended" chs
Colonel Jouaust then said: Have Won '.s
lished?" ''a Pc,
General Mercier replied: YES" lot
Colonel Jouaust then announced that IN. mn
ssions OF the court martial would be IL
sumed Monday. ~
NJ. Casmir- Perier thereupon rose ana sef
i'd; AFTER the deposition OF General kns
ercler shall ask the court 10 hear me est
ID would prefer II to be In confron,a say
IN with him" you
This announcement caused a sensatlo, ID
len followed thrilling demonstrafion q,
ainst General MERCER As he turnet ~ erie
ave the court. the audience rose sn Thi
asse ana missed and cursed him thosa ann
the back OF the court standing on cbairs 'br
d benches In order to better hound h,,, ang
lie gendarmes placed themselyas sat
'aen tha renerai ana aud,ano'es oe- ton
o' which &c