Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-08-23
WITNESSES ON THE RACK
GENERAL MERcIER FORCED To con-
FEss TO oRIMINALITY.
Result Likely to BE Thnt He WIN He
Prison Mate of Dreyfus-Pris-
oner's Case Much Helped
by the Return of
Labori.

RENNES, Aug. 22.-To-day was Maftre
Laoorfs day at the Eycee. where CAPTAIN
Dreyfus Is standing trial on charge Of
treason. Labori was the central figure
OF the scene. As the Dreyfus drama un-
rohed before crowded court this fore.
noon. his tall, Viking-like form. draped in
a long, black gown, bordered with ermine
sitting in front of the footlights, was the
magnet which, from the moment the cur
tain was run open until. it fell at noon.
drew all regards, not merely glances of
curiosity. but the steady gaze of adm!ra-
uon. His mere presence brought bright
ness Into the courtroom and fresh light
into the PROCEEDINGS
Labori did what people had expected
lie galvanized the dormant defense into
an active, living thing. NJ Demange IS
conciliatory. He has always seemed tn
iear to tread on the military corn. Labori
Is gladiator. and always speaks to touch
his foe TO the quick. Let there be the
slightest opening in his opponents de-
Tense, and he thrusts home. -a
To-day. when NJ. Demange found nothing
TO ask a witness, NJ. Labori's Quick eye
had discovered weak spots and he came
forward with searching questions
he opened to-day with an eloquent
speech, and the audience could have lis
tened for an hour to his rich, melodious
voice. modulated tones and impassioned
outbursts, accompanied by energetic and
speaking gestures.
Generals Roget, Billot, Mercier and B Bois-
deffre, with the other military witnesses,
gave one another anxious glances and put
81 their heads together to exchange obviously
dtsagreeable impressions as Labori piled
the smaller military fry. who occupied the
witness stand successfully to-day, with
disconcerting questions.
Labori cornered Mercier on the Schneid-
er letter, which the latter had used in
evidence and which Colonel Schneider had
repudiated as a forgery. The general was
surprised when Labori suddenly demanded
that NJ. Mercier be recalled. Evidently he
hoped the tribunal would support him in
refusing TO explain how he got a copy of
letter which was of later date than his
tncumbency at the ministry of war But
Labori was not to be denied. He insisted
that Mercier should give some explana-
ton Then, after hesitating, Mercier de-
clared that he would assume all the re-
sponsibilfty attaching to his possession of
the document. This, as Labor intended
1t should be, was a demonstration of COM
munication by the general staff of part at
least of the secret dossier TO an ordinary
soldier, such as Mercier became immedi-
ately on leaving the ministry of war
When Labori had attained his object and
forced a confession of grave violation of
law on the part of General Mercier, he
gave a smile of grim satisfaction and then
added, significantly: 81 shall have other
questions to put to General Mercier."
The scene was highly dramatic and made
a profound impression upon all the spec
tators.
General Mercier must now be spending
very miserable evening, for, as the re-
suit of this admission, and with the addi-
uonal charge Of communicating secret doc
uments to the court-martial of 1894, he is
liable to arrest at any moment. Indeed,
some people think 1t not impossible that
he will be lying in the military prison ad-
Joining the cell of Captain Dreyfus before
the week is out.
Another series of questions put by M.
Iabori concerned La Joux, a spy formerly
in the service of the French war office.
but packed Off TO South America, accord
ing to various military witnesses, because
he proved swindler. l
Labori asked how 1t was, II that were so.
that La Joux was still receiving monthly
payments.
Commandant Rollin, completely taken
Rback, replied that cessation of payments
was under consideration
The impression conveyed by Laborfs
questions, and replies given was that La
Joux was being paid by the war office to
keep out of the way in the interest of