The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-15
No fever. Condition stationary" There
has been, therefore, a slight improves
ment during the last few hours. --s
THE TRIAL RESUMED.


THE TRIAL RESUMED. =
General MercIer Confronted with Exc
President ,Casimir Perier.
Rennes, Aug 15-When the court
martial was resumed General Mercier
was confronted with M. Casimir-Perier.
the former president of France. The
latter declared that Mercier's story OF
the imminence of war between Ger
many and France in 1894 was grossly
exaggerated, and complained OF the
action of the then minister OF war
(Mercier) in moving 10000 troops to
the frontier without consulting him.
General Mercier was recalled, and In
reply to the president of the court. he
reiterated his belief that Major Count
Esterhazy, in spite of the latter's own
declaration, was not the author OF the
bordereau which, the witness claimed,
was written on tracing paper and was
found in an embassy. .sl.
The president asked M. Casimir-
Perier to explain the circumstances OF
the confession Dreyfus is alleged to
have made to Captain Lebrun-Renault.
M. Casimir-Perier persisted In his
statement of Saturday that he had
never received any condolences OF this
character from Captain Lebrun-Ren-
ault. He added that M. Dupuy, the then
premier was present when Captain,
Lebrun-Renault called at the Elysee.
Paris.
Moreover" said M. Casimir-Perier.
"here is letter from M. Dupuy, which
| ask may be read
The letter asserted that Captain Le-
brun-Renault, when questioned by M.
Dupuy, replied that General Mercier
had sent him to the president to re-
ceive dressing down for his indis-
Greet disclosures to The Figaro.
General Mercier here interposed.
saying: Captain Lebrun-Renault
spoke to me in regard to the confess
sions in the presence of General Gonse,
who will testify thereto. 1t was then
that I ordered him to go to the presi- <
dent of the republic" ~
NJ Casimir-Perier, resuming his tes-
timony said he did not desire to reply
to certain of General Mercier's insinua-
tions.
81 do not wish to answer them said
the former president 1.-THE circum-
stances are too sad and too tragic for
me to desire to envenom the discussion.
am master of myself and of my con-
science. | would only state that Gem
eral Mercier has made every effort to
mix me as deeply as possible In THIS
affair. But l have remained aloof,
affirm, during the progress OF the IN
vestigation.'
The former president then COM
planed of the incorrect behavior OF his
subordinate towards the chief OF the
state.
NJ. Demange asked M. Casimir-Perier
if an understanding had not been
reached between France and Germany
on the subject of Dreyfus. M Casimir-
Perier replied that before his interview
with the minister on the 9th the ques-
tion of Dreyfus had never been raised
between them and Germany.
Counsel neyt asked General Mercier
why the explanations of the secret dos
ser were not included in the dossier
relating to the revision. The general
replied that he considered these ex-
plantations were given for his personal
use, and that was why he destroyed
the document. At this NJ Demange ex-
pressed sense Of astonishment and
asked General Mercier If he did not
have reasons for suppressing the docu-
ment. The witness repudiated the sug-
gestion.
Dreyfus at this point rose from his
seat and asked leave to explain in re- Il
gard to the assertion that he had traced
on card the itinerary of certain
journey of the general staff. Both the
itinerary and journey, he asserted.
were purely fictitious.
Generals Zurlinden and Chanoine.
former ministers of war, M. Hanotanx,
former minister of foreign affairs Gem
eral Billot and M. Cavaignac also testi-
fed. Their evidence was directed
against Dreyfus, but contained littlO ~
that was new.
Dreyfus did not create very favor
able impression when at the conclusion
of NJ. Cavalgnac's testimony he was
asked If he had anything to say. Ths
prisoner replied. in declamatory
fashion, with his hand on his heart.
disposed of M. Cavaignac's arguments.
The speech of M. Cavaignac, however.
certainly appeared to make an impress
sion on his hearers.
During the short suspension Of the
sitting OF the court, M. Jaures. the
socialist leader. who was in court, re-
marked that the arrests made in Paris
had for their sole object to forestall
St. Bartholomew massacre Of the
Dreyfusards and that the attempted
murder of NJ. Labori at Rennes was
one of the scattered acts Of the pro-
jected massacre.
At noon the court adjourned until
roJp