Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-08-25
MERCER is CONFIDENT.
feels Certain That Dreyfus Will he
Convicted-Verdict Is Said to
he Predetermined.

usual presumption of truth, the SEN
tcnce of Dreyfus is already decided
upon. He will be found guilty of dis
ciplinary indiscretions, for which he
will be sentenced to five years impris-
onment. AS he has served this term of
sentence the practical result will be
that he will be set free and take his po-
sition in the army as captain en- re-
forme, without pay or emoluments, and
any career in the active army will be
closed to him.
Rennes, Aug. 21.-Gen. Mercier, who
was minister of war when Capt. Drey-
fus was condemned, and who in the
present trial is the virtual prosecutor,
was called upon Sunday afternoon by
correspondent of the Associated Press.
who invited him to make statement of
the position of the anti-Dreyfusards.
Although unable to receive the corre-
spondent in person, Gen. Mercier sent
his oldest son to convey the following
expression of his views:
Gen. Mercier considers II useless to at
tempt to convert foreign opinion regarding
the Dreyfus question, in which, moreover,
foreigners have no right to intervene. For
press, which is violently Dreyfusard, for
the very good reason that a majority of the
foreign newspapers have been bribed by the
Jewish syndicate. Gen. Mercier considers
anything he might say explaining his po
sition, which is that of a majority of the
French people, would be useless. The best
reply to Dreyfusard statements abroad will
be condemnation of Dreyfus. This con-
demnation is only matter of ten days or
fortnight for condemned Dreyfus GER
tainly will be. Foreigners will then see that
their journals have deceived them, for they
will recognize that the mass of the French
nation, who will receive the news of the
conviction of Dreyfus as joyful tidings, is
not composed of officials and that the ma
jority of the FRENCH applaud the condemna-
ton, II will be because 1t is just and mer-
tied"
Rennes, Aug. 21.-At the court-mar-
tial session Saturday the first witness
was Maj. Cuignet, the officer who some
weeks ago was dismissed from the army
for communicating to the Petit Journel
confidential correspondence exchanged
between the minister of war and the
minister of foreign affairs regarding
the Panizzardi dispatch. Maj. Cuignet
declared, like the preceding military
witnesses, his conviction of the guilt
of Dreyfus, based on the alleged confes.
sion to Lebrun-Renault, technical eX.
planation of the bordereau and the Sc
cret dossier. The major added fourth
reason in his confidence in the graphic
logical demonstration made by NJ. Ber
tillon.
This demonstration was so remarka
BILE as to raise doubts as to the sanity
of NJ. Bertillon, and caused the inu
nicipal council to pass resolution tt
deprive him of his functions at the pre-
lecture of police. Maj. Cuignet's declar
alton caused great sensation in court
That officer then embarked in discus
sion of the case, which, however, added
nothing new to the arguments befor,
the court of cessation.
Dreyfus listened for some time will
evident impatience and then suddenly
rose and, addressing the president o
the court-martial, eXclaimed: 'Mol
colonel, can't sit still and listen al
the time to such lies"
Maj. Cuignet, continuing, came to tn
question of the alleged letter of Col
Schneider, quoted by Gen. Mercier il
his deposition. His attention wa
drawn TO the fact that Col. Schneide
denounces the letter as a forgery.
II am told that this denial is date
from Ems" replied Maj. Cuignet. wv
know that the dispatches dated at tina
place are not always truthful"
This reference was to the famou
Bismarck dispatch, which precipitate
the war of 1870. The remark cause
, loud murmurs in the court and led tn
commissary of the government to pre-
test against such references to fol
eign officer accredited to the Frenc
government.
The next witness should have bee
Col. Du Patty de Clam, but when he wa
called there was no reply. Maitre ID,
mango requested that he be again sun
moned.
The next witness was Gen. de Boi
deffre, who, like his predecessor, Ell
tered into history of the borderea
and alleged confessions. His depositio
was entirely lacking in what had bee
expected from him. He confirmed IL
statement of Gen. Mercier that thel
were fears of war on January 6, 1895.
When the general finished Dreyfl
was asked if he desired TO put any que
tions. He replied that he had nothiu
to say to Gen. de Boisdetfre. (Sens
tion in court.
The next witness was Gen. Cons
: who talked in very indistinct tone
voice. He spoke at length regarding h
differences with Col. Picquart about +
terhazy.
y Dreyfus entered into a long argumel
e with Gen. Gonse regarding the poss
). bility of introducing strangers into II
y ministry of war. Gen. Gonse mai
tanned that this was possible, but Dire
= fus finally forced the general 10 a
y nit that without a written permit
could not be done.
: The sitting closed with the depositit
:. of Gen. Billot regarding the eXpent
lures of the secret service fund, viii,
entirely confirmed the statements
> Col. Picquart, a statement which caus,
: applause in. the court.