The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-25

8 Sad One For the Staff.
Rennes, Aug. 24-Today's session of
the Dreyfus courtmartial was marked
by one of the most exciting scenes of
the trial. The proceedings opened with
4 skirmish entirely favorable to the
defense over Colonel MaureI, president
of the courtmartial of 1894; who ad-
mitted reading one of the secret docu-
ments to the court which had not been
seen by the defense. He protested that
only one document was looked at, al
leging that this sufficed to enable him
to form a conviction that could not be
shaken.
This protest made matters worse be-
cause as NJ. Labor pointed out, if he
perused one, it was his bound duty to
peruse all. Colonel Jouaust upheld
Colonel Maurel in his refusal TO indi-
cate the nature of the document he
read, but NJ. Labor announced that he
would summon Captain Freystatter,
another member of the tribunal of 1894,
and get his version of what passed be-
hind the backs of the counsel for the
defense. Colonel Maurel felt his posi-
ton keenly and continually hesitated
before replying TO Labori's questions.
All this, however, was only prelimi-
nary to fierce battle that ensued be-
tween NJ. Labor and General MERCER,
the latter receiving reinforcements
from General Roget, General Gonse
and General de Boisdeffre. as well as
invaluable assistance from Colonel
JOuaust himself.
NJ Labori took General MERCER over
the whole ground of his previous de-
position. This led to several sharp
passage farms between the advocate
ind Colonel Jouaust who upheld
Hercier in refusing to reply to several
questions which in the general opinion
of those in the court room were dis
tinctly pertinent. Whenever General
MERCER was -cornered he declined to
answer ana Colonel Jouaust invariably
supported him. NJ. Labor protested
most energetically- His words and
manner breathed the deepest indigna-
ton, but the president of the court
martial was infieXible-
Court Hostile to Dreyfus.
The Intervention of Generals Gonse,
Roget and De Boisdeffre and Major
Lauth. who in rapid succession mount
ed the stage or rose in their seats and
interposeG remarks, was very exciting
and carried the spectators along on a
wave of breathlessnesS. One after
Nilt ONAtI, lHtSt Oll4CtIS, VIII were ~
day in full uniform, would jump and
cry I demand to be heard" and with
oUt further waiting, ascend the stairs
Of the platform and begin a statement
in support of a brother officer. Some
times four officers were on the stage
at the same time. 1t was marvellous
display of military clannishness. At
one time perfect babel of voices
reigned for several minutes, until
Colonel .InUanGr interviewed and
restored order.
NJ. Labori'S croSS-eXamination was
successful so far as it went but Colonel
JouauSt's hostile attitude toward the
counsel for the defense then and dur
ing the crosS-eXamination of the wit
ness NJ. de Grandmaison evoked the
seVerest criticism and the part of the
public present and BODIES i'll for Drey-
fus. Not only Colonel J0uaust, but the
other judges displayed considerable
Impotence during Laboris scathing
cross examination Shifting restlessly in
their seats and drumming on the tables
with the tips of their fingers.
General MERCER faced Lab0rfs fire
with calm demeanor, standing on the
platform. his hands behind his back
and his face only half turned towards
his questiOner. Once or twice q savage
look in the eyes. an elevation in the
tone and a swaying to and fro OF the
body revealed the inner fires of resent
ment
General Roget faced the court with
an air of u lblushing~ effrontery. His
handsome. but unsympathetic features
expressed the bittereSt scorn as he spun
round on his heel and with arms
crossed. faced Labor or the audience
or the judges He is extremely vain
and is always striking attitudes for the
benefit of newspaper artists, quite
number Of whom regularly attend the
sessions His impertinent behavior was
str;kingly illustrated today when he
interrupted NJ. LabOri's examination of
General Chamoin, which had resulted |
in LabOri'S scoring heavily against |
Mercier. with the exclamation. This |
examination is waste of time
Played to the Audience.
As a matter of fact. the examination |
of Chamoin showed Mercierzin a very
bad light, as it brought out that he had |
privately communicated to CEamoin on |
the first day of the secret sessions a |
report on the Panizzardi dispatch, for
insertion in the secret dossier. General |
Chamoin admitted that he did wrong |
in accepting the report, but pleaded |
ignorance in judicial matters.
The report consisted of three pages,
of which the second and third, Chamoin |
declared, contained fantastic and, in I
fact, false representations.
NJ. Labor brought General MERCER TO |
the bar in reference to this. MERCER |
admitted that the report emanated |
from Du Patty de Clam, but claimed |
that he himself did rot understand its |
contents, though ne thought it would |
be interesting and perhaps useful TO
Chamoin. This explanation was re-
garded as very lame and, combined |
with other shady actions, would damn /
MERCER as a witness in the eyes of an I
impartial tribunal.
The correspondent of the Associated |
Press saw Madame Labor this after 1
noon and conversed with her regarding |
her husbands condition. She said ne |
was progressing rapidly. though still |
suffering considerable pain.
''The way ne is recovering" she ex-
claimed. seems to me almost miracu-
Ior-"
When the fourth session of the third !
week of the second trial by courtnar- I
tial Of Captain Alfred Dreyfus. charged /
with treason. opened at the Lvcee. here 1