The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-25
JOUAUST PARTIAL.
Would Not Compel Witnesses to Answer
Questions Put by labori,
WHICH B0DESILL FOR DREYFUS
Mercier Given Drubbine by Counsel
for the Defense.
HE BECAME INDIGNANT AND EXCITED.
The Other Witnesses Likewise Suffered
from Cross Examination.
ARMY SHOWN UP IN NO UNCERTAIN LIGHT.
Before an Impartial Tribunal the
Days Proceedings Would he
Favorable to Prisoner.
ARMY SHOWN UP IN NO UNCERTAIN LIGHT
Before an Impartial Tribunal the
Days Proceedings Would he
Favorable to Prisoner.

| Rennes, August 24.-Today's session o
| the Dreyfus court martial was marked b,
trial The proceedings opened with Skin
mish entirely favorable to the defense
over Colonel Maurel, president of the court
martial of 1894, who admitted reading one
of the secret documents to the court
which had not been seen by the defense
looked at, alleging that this sufficed to
enable him to form a conviction that
could not be shaken.
This protest made matters worse, be-
cause, as NJ. Lahori pointed out. IL he
perused one it was his bounden duty 10
peruse ALL Colonel Jouaust upheld Colo
mel Maurel in his refusal to indicate the
nature of the document he read, but NJ,
Labori announced that he would summon
Captain Friestatter, another member of
the tribunal of 1894, and get his version
of what then passed behind the backs OF
the counsel for the defense. Colonel Mau
rel felt his position keenly and continually
hesitated before replying to Labor s
questions.
=. nt,1-f rfli r11t
nary to fierce battle that ensued between
NJ Labor and General MERCER the latter
receiving reinforoements from General
Roget. General Gonse and General De
Boisdeffre, as well as Invaluable assist
ance from Colonel Jouaust himself.
NJ. Labori took Mercler over the whole
ground of his previous deposition. THIS
led to several sharp passages at arms be-
tween the advocate and Colonel Jouaust.
who upheld MERCER In refusing 10 reply
to several questions which. in the general
opinion of those in the court room, were
distinctly pertinent. Whenever General
MERCER was cornered he declined to an
swer. and Colonel Jouaust Invariably sup
ported him. Nj. Labori protested most en-
ergesically. His words and manner
president of the court martial was infleXi'
BILE. The intervention of Generals Gonse.
Roget and De Boisdeffre and Major Lauth'
who In rapid succession mounted the stage
or rose in their seats and interposed re-
marks, was very exciting and carried the
spectators along on wave of breathless
interest
One after another of these officers, who
were today in full uniform, would jump up
and cry: Il demand to be heard' and
without further waiting would ascend the
steps of the platform and begin a state
ment in support of brother officer.
Sometimes four officers were upon the
stage at the same moment. 1t was a mar
velous display of military clannishness.
At one time perfect babel of voices
reigned for several minutes, until Colonel
Jouaust interviewed and restored order.
NJ. Labori's cross examination was sue
cessful so far as ii went, but Colonel Jou-
aust prevented his pressing his advantage
TO the utmost In fact Jouausts manner
toward the counsel in the cross examine
ton of the witness, M. Grandmaison,
evoked the seyerest criticism on the part
Of the people present and BODIES i'll for
Dreyfus. Not only Colonel Jouaust, but
the other judges displayed considerable
Impotence during NJ. Labori's scathing
cross examination, shifting restlessly in
their seats and drumming the table with
the tips OF their fingers.
General Mercier faced NJ. Labori's fire
with callous demeanur. standing On the
platform. his hands behind his back and
his face only half turned toward the
questioner Once or twice a savage look
In the eyes, an elevation in the tone and
a swaying TO and fro of the body, revealed
the inner fires of resentment
General Roget faced the court with an
air of unblushing effrontery. His hand
some but unsympathetic features ex-
messed the bitterest scorn, as he spun
around on his heel and with arms crossed
faced NJ Labor. or the audience, or the
Judges. His extremely vain and always
striking attitudes for the benefit OF the
artists, quite number OF
whom regularly attend the session, and his
Impertinent behavior, was striklngly IL
Illustrated today when he interrupted NJ.
Laboris examination OF General Chanoine.
which had resulted in Labcris scoring
heavily against Mercer with the ex-
clamation: This examination is waste
of timen'
AS a matter OF fact. the examination OF
General Cbanoine showed MERCER In
bad light, as 1t brought out that he had
nriyateiy communicated to Chanoine. on
he first day OF the secret sessions, re-
mort on the Panlzardi dispatch for in
,art{on In the secret dOESier.
General Chanoine admitted that he did
wrong in accepting the report. but plead
"a ignorance In judicial matters
THE report consisted of three pages, OF
which the second and third. Chanoine de-