Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-23
General Mercier to retain possession Of
all the documents in the secret dossier.

Ill tne QOcumentS III tne secret OOSSier.
General Mercier was silent.
NJ. Labori-I am asking for the Off
cial responsibility, and l make note of
the fact that it is refused. l will re-
serve the right to take all the measures
which think proper. Sensation.
Counsel added that he would later
ask Colonel Jouaust to recall General
Mercier and would put numerous ques-
tions TO him, TO which, however, coun-
sci added. he could foresee the general
would refuse to reply. Prolonged SEN
sation.
Dreyfus made statement regarding
passage of Rollins evidence referring
to the searches made in his (Dreyfus' }
residence in 1894. Everything" said
the prisoner, "was seized without ex-
ceptlon."
Colonel Jouaust-Some of the pages
were missing of your notes taken at
the lectures given by the military col
lege?" That has been the subject of
remark.
Dreyfus-No, my colonel, not in 1894.
Sensation.
A former secretary of the war office,
named Ferret, next testified to seeing
Dreyfus prying into other officers work
during their absence, and the prisoner
replied excitedly, that Ferret's state
ments were concoctions by a former
minister of war, which caused sensa-
ton. Then, i'll cooler manner, the
prisoner made statement explaining
the difficulties in the way of civilian,
such as Ferret, entering the offices of
the general staff.
General Gonse thereupon presented
two letters to the effect that the writers,
both OF whom were civilians, obtained
easy admittance to the offices.
Dreyfus retorted that the regulations
were very strict in this respect and
that, therefore, some persons were
guilty of gross breach of discipline,
and N. Demange scored by adding that
if entry III these offices was so easy,
why anybody could procure the in
formation Dreyfus was alleged to have
obtained SO surreptitiously.
The next witness was Lieutenant
Colonel Bertin, who was the head of
Dreyfus' office in 1894 Some of his re-
marks, particularly his declaration that
he was convinced of Dreyfus' guilt by
NJ. Bertillon' chart, elected general
smiles in court.
He spoke of his interviews with M.
Scheurer-Kestner, whose efforts i'll part
brought about the Dreyfus revision.
Here letter was read from Scheurer-
Kestner, saying he could not be present.
He spoke of his Investigations and how
it was only when EsterhaZy's handwrit-
ing was shown him that his hesitation
ended. He dweit on the opinion eX-
pressed in the Judgment OF the court of
cessation and the confessions OF Ester
hazy that he was the writer of the
bordereau.
Bertin, during his testimony, accused
Dreyfus of doing poor work, negligence,
etc.
A number OF official reports were read
unanimously recognizing Dreyfus as a
brilliant officer who was anxious to sue
ceed. The reports of the headquarter's
staff alone cast lmputatlons upon the
prisoners character.
After u recess Major Gendron was
called to testify regarding the Austrian
woman, Madame Delye. He heard
that she had fine acquaintances, includ-
ing Dreyfus, and, in view of the fact
that i'll such companionship Dreyfus
was liable to commit some imprudent
action, witness informed Lieutenant
Colonel Bertin of his fears.
Major Besse, Captain Boullenger,
Colonel Jeannel and Major Masitre all
testified. In the main their evidence
was uninteresting and largely surmise
or hearsay, but it Wis distinctly biased
and intended to bolster up the asser-
tions of the generals.
Colonel Jeannel, during his cross
examination, threw some light upon
the question of the firing manual which,
he said, he lent Dreyfus in 1894.
NJ. Demange wanted to know the ex-
act date and Colonel Jeannel said he be-
lieved it was i'll July, adding, Gin 1894" "
That would have been point calculated
to weaken the proofs against Dreyfus,
counsel pointing out that Col. Jeannel
was not examined in 1894 and asking
the cause of this irregularity. The date
of the bordereau was given as April of
that year, or before Colonel Jeannel lent
the firing manual. The prisoner said
that i'll 1894 he insisted at both the pre-
hminary examinations and at the court
martial that Colonel Jeannel should be
examined.
81 obtained no satisfaction" Dreyfus |
added, 81 was, however, sure of my
facts Colonel Jeannels memory must |
be playing him false. Perhaps the con-
fusion arises from the fact that l asked |
him to lend me the German firing |
manual.
Colonel .Touaust-Do you remember
that. Colonel Jeannel?
Jeannel-No.
NJ. Labor expressed surprise that it
Was not thought necessary Ill 1894 to |
examine witness who today out of |
pure caprice for the convenience of |
the prosecution" had become an excel
ent witness.
The court, counsel added, would de-
1uct its own opinion.
a part of Captain Maistre's evidence
proved to be i'll favor of Dreyfus In
of other witnesses who
declared Dreyfus frequently stayed late
vt the Office prying INTO other officers
luties, Captain Maistre declared that
)reyfus was disinchned to work and
,ften left the offices before the regular
ime.
Internal Machines For Labori.