The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-23
He IS GREETED WITH CHEERS
Col. JuuauSt Reads an Address of
Congratulation.
THE PRISONER HIGHLY PLEASED
Mercier Recalled to the Stand and His
Testimony May Lead to His In
carceration in Military
Prison.

Rennes, August 22.-Today was Maftre
zLabori's day at the Lycee, where Captain
Alfred Dreyfus is standing trial on
charge of treason. Labori was the central
figure of the session. AS the Dreyfus
drama unrolled before crowded court this
forenoon, his tall viking-like form, draped
in long black gown, bordered with er-
mine, sitting in front of the footlights, was
the magnet which from the moment the
curtain was rung up until it fell at noon
drew all eyes, not merely glances of Curl
osty, but the steady gaze of admiration.
His mere presence brought brightness into
the court room and fresh light into the
proceedings
Labori did what people had expected. He
galvanized the dormant defence into an ac-
tive, living thing. M. Demange is con-
cfliatory. He has always seemed to fear
to tread on the military corn. Labori is
a gladiator and always speaks to touch his
foe to the quick. Let there be the slightest
opening in his opponents defense and he
thrusts home.
Today when Demange found nothing to
ask a witness M. Labori's quick eye had
discovered weak spots and he came for
ward with searching questions. He open
ed the day with an eloquent speech and the
audience could have listened for an hour
to his rich, melodious voice, modulated
tones and then impassioned outbursts, ac-
companied by energetic and speaking ges-
lures
The Generals Disconnected
Generals Roget, Blot, Mercier and Bois-
deffre, with the other military witnesses,
ola
their heads together to exchange obviously
disagreeable impressions as Labori piled
the smaller military fry, who occupied the
witness stand successvely today, with dis
concerting questions. Labori cornered
Mercier on the Schneider 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 MERCER
be recalled. Evidently he hoped the tribu-
nal would support him in refusing to ex-
plain how he got a copy of the letter.
which of later date than his incum-
bency at the ministry of war.
But Labori was not to be denied He in
sisted that Mercer should give some ex-
planation. After hesitating Mercier de-
clared that he would assume all the re-
sponsibility attaching to his possession of
the document. This, as Labori intended it
should be- was a demonstration of a COM
muncation by the general staff of part at
least of the secret dossier to an ordinary
soldier such as Mercier became immediate-
ly 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
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 profound
impression upon all the spectators.
Mercier May be Arrested
General Mercier must now be spending
very miserable evening, for as a result
of this admission, and with the additional
charge of communicating secret documents
to tn ecourtmartial of 1894, he is liable to
arrest at any moment. Indeed, some peo-
pie think it not impossible that he will be
lying in the military prison adjoining the
cell of Captain Dreyfus before the week is
out.
Another series of questions put by M.
Labori concerned Lajoux, 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. Labor asked how
it was, II that were so, that Lajoux was
still receiving monthly payments. Com
mandant Rollin, completely taken aback
replied that a cessation of payments was
under consideration.
The impression conveyed by Labori's
questions and the replies given was that
Lajoux was being paid by the war office
to keep out of the way in the interests of
Esterhazy, whom Lajoux, in a letter read
in court, offering revelations in the Drey-
fus affair, indicated as the real traitor
NJ. LaDori's cross-examlnation in this mat
ter was a distinct advantage to the ac-
cused.
lieutenant Colonel Bertin's testimony
brought about a passage at arms between
him and M. Labori The latter declared
that Bertin himself, by remarks which he
made on a certain occasion, convinced the
lawyer Of the innocence of Dreyfus.
Passage With Demangc
Counsel then recalled other words used
by Bertin to the effect that NJ. Demange
was counsel for the German embassv hA-