The Portland daily press., 1899-08-15


Rennes, August 14.-The shooting OF
M. Labori. leading counsel for Capt. AL
fred Dreyfus, took all the life out OF this
mornings session Of the Dreyfus CONT
martial The murderer apparently chose
today for the attempt, because it was
known that NJ. Labori would crush Gen.
Mercier. the former minister OF war,
with his cross questioning.
The news caused an immense sensation
In the court room, where the usual au-
dience had assembled, awaiting the en-
trance Of the judges.
Col. Jouaust. president of the rourt,
when the news reached him, Suspended
the sitting of tbs court martial until
7.15 O'Clock.
When the court martial was resumed
| Gen. Mercier was confronted with d..
| Casimir-Perier. the former president Of
France. The latter declared MercIer' q
story tod on the witness stand Saturday,
of the imminence OF wal between Ger
many and France in 1894. was grossly ex.
aggerated, ard complained OF the action
of the then minister of war (Mercier)
in moving 60 coo troops without consult
ing him.
AS IL was nj. LaborPs task to take Gen.
Mercier in hand, AMI III. Depangs, assn-
| ctate counsel, was quite unprepared for
the task, the few questions the latter
put were practically Of little effect, ard
Gen. Mereier escaped cheaply.
| When Gen. hercier was recalled In re-
ply to the pFesid mt of the court. he reit-
Grated his belief that Major Count Ester
1 hazy in spite of tine latter's own decla-a-
tioL was not the author OF the hordeEeau
which the witness claimed was written
on tracing paper ard was found In an
embassy.
The president asked M. Casimir to ex-
l plain the circumstances of the confession
Dreyfus is alleged to have made TO Capt.
Lebrun- Renault. III. Casimir-Perier per-
| sisted In his statement of Saturday that
he had never received any condolences
OF the character from Capt. Lsbrun.
| Renault.
He added that M. Dupuy. then premier,
was present when Capt Lsbfun. Renault
called at the Efysee palace.
| Moreover. said NJ Casimir- Perisr,
there is q letter from NJ. Dupuy, which
| ask may be read
| Tee letter asserted that Capt. Lebrun-
Renault, when questioned by NJ. Dupuy.
replied that Gen. Mercier had sent him
\ TO the President to receive a dressing
down for his indlscreet disclosures to
Figaro.
NJ. Casimir-Perier resumed his testi-
mony, and said he did not desire to re-
ply TO certain Of Nj. Meroier's insinu-
atfons.
81 do not wish to answer them. - said
the former President. The ciroumstan noes
are too sad and too B Tagio for me to
enyeBom this discussion. lam master
OF myself and of my conscience. I would
only state that Gen. Meroler has med ;
every fort TO mix me as deeply as posi-
ble In his affair. But, have remained
Investigation.
The former President then complained
of the incorrect behavior of ais subordi.
nate toward the chief of the state. "As
m instance" said B. Caslmir. Perier,
''Gen Meroier undertook to shorten the
term OF service of $4,000 men without
consulting the chief of the state, thus
lacking in the respect he owed TO the
chief of the state"
| NJ Casimir- -Perirr next protested
against the assertions made by Gen. Mer-
oier in regard to the role adopted by the
CHIEF OF state In this affair, whereupon
the general interjected that he had sDok-
en- Of the attituds assumed by NJ .Casimir.
Perier, because he had sworn to tell the
| whole truth.
| NJ. Demange asked NJ. Casimir- Perier
IL ON the sixth an understanding had
not been reached between France and
Germany on the subject of Dreyfus.
| III. Casimir-Perier replied that before
MS Interview with the minister on the
sixth the question OF Dreyfus had never
been raised between them and Germany
Counsel next asked Gen Mercier WHY
6he explanations of the secret do6sIer
were not included in the dossler relating
20 the revision. The general replied that
he considered thess explanations for his
| personal use and that was wbv he de-
stroyed the document.
AT this ID. Demange expressed a sense
| OF astonishment and asked Gen. Mercier
II ne did not have reasons for suppress
ing the document.
This witness repudiated the suggestions.
Dreyfus at this point rose from his
seat ana asked leave to explain In regard
to the assertion that he had traced on a
card the itinerary Of certain journey
Of the general staff. Both the itinerary
and journey he asserted were purely
| fictitious.
III. Casimir-Pesier then said he desired
to reiterate that he had never promised
anything to Dreyfus, adding that it was
with NJ. Maldeck-Rosssar alone that he
had spoken In regard to the condemned
man. Therefore. NJ. CasimiF .Perier. re-
iterated bis protests at the publication
the Of letters referring to negotiations.
This caused NJ Demanee to explain
how Dreyfus came TO say Nj. Casinir-
Perier had promised him public trial.
After Nj. Danange had asked M. Wal
deok.housseau to intervene with III. CASH
inir-Perier lthen President of Franoe),
90 obtain publicity. M. Waldeck- Rousseau
reported that the President appeared IA
voraDle to the suggestion and counsel
therefore might Communicate the fact
to Dreyfus
NJ. Demange added that it must be re-
membered Drefyus wrote the letter four
years after the occurrence and his recol-
ieotlon OF the facts naturally lacked pre-
cision. al. nemangs expressed regret at
tne TACT that the letter had been pub
ilsned and apolegized to NJ. Casimir-
Perier, who thanked the counsel for his
explanation of regret.
Gen. Blot, former minister of war was