Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-12
BIG DAY FOR DREYF(|S
scond Open Session Of the Court
Martial Full of Dramatic
Episodes.
rank Answers Of the Accused Wins
Favor-Gen. Meroier Denounces
the Prisoner.
Dreyfus Passes the Lie and is Ap.
plauded -Mercier Kissed by
the Audience

Rennes, Aug. 12.-The second open
session of the Dreyfus trial began at
$3.50 this morning. Gen. Mercier arrived
shortly after 6, and was greeted with
cries Of Long live the army, Long
live MERCER" He looked yefy anxious,
but assumed smiling dsleanor. AS
soon as he was inside the Lycee the ex-
preston Of anxiety returned to his face.
Casimer-Perrier was saluted by the
crowd when he arrived. Then came
Piquart, who was hailed with cries of
Long live Picquart," which he smiling
ly acknowledged.
jerky step as heretofore His features
were pale and rigid.
The first proceeding was the reading
to the court of DR.. Ransom's report rel
ative to the finding Of a document In
the inside pocket of Dreyfus'
waistcoat. It was attended by
sensational incident. Col. Jou-
aust showed the document to, Drey-
fus. He admitted keeping it as SOU
venir copy OF the borderau. He owned
to this calmly, without any trembling of
voice. Then he listened calmly to the
reading OF the report, which occupied
ten minutes. De LaRoche-Vern one
OF the secretaries of the French embas-
sy at Berlin, was then called. He tes-
titled regarding the translation Of the
Pan Isardi dispatch. The document
found in the pocket of Dreyfus waist
coat, 1t appears. was discovered by a
penitentiary officer.
Immediately after the court assem-
bled Col. Jouaust said to Dreyfus: I'm
January, 1895. the director of the peni..
Tertiary Of Isle de Re, in the course of
his duty, searched the clothes you
brought from the prison. He found this
document in the inside pocket Of your
waistcoat (handing him the document).
Do you recognize 1t as having belonged
to you?" In response to this and other
questions Dreyfus said it belonged to
him: that 1t was used during his Trial in
order to discuss the value OF the border
eau and he wished to keep it as SOU
venir. Jouaust replied that the military
code gave the prisoner the right to
copy of the document; that it, there
fore. was legitimately in his possession.
DR.. Ransom's report was then read. It
dealt with the measures of surveillance
over Dreyfus adopted during the yoy-
age to Cayenne.
De La Roche-Vernet, secretary Of the
French embassy at Berlin, was called
and testified that he is transmitting
agent of the ministry of war and for
eign affairs, wherever they are engaged
in translation. The Paniardi dispatch
was very minute and complicated
matter. Several translations were
made. They were purely Hypothetical.
the first draft having only two words,
Capt Dreyfus." of which the translat-
ors were really sure, the sense being
that Dreyfus had been arrested, but had
no relations with Germany. Paleologue.
OF the foreign office. confirmed the testi-
mony Of Vernet that there was no cues
tion as to relations with Germany. Ex-
President Casimer-Pirrier was then
called. Jouast called on him as presi-
dent of the republic at the time OF
Dreyfus arrest. to tell what he knew
OF the case.
A stirring scene closed the days ses-
sion. Gen. Mercier had spoken nearly
four hours in ruthless denunciation of
Dreyfus, who had listened unmoyed.
until Mcrcier concluded by saving that
II he had not been convinced of the
guilt of Dreyfus and if the latter's con-
viction had not been fortified since 1894
he would admit he had been mistaken.
Dreyfus jumped to his feet as though
the words had galvanized him into life
and shouted in voice which resounded
through the hall like trumpet note:
You have lied, scoundrel." The audi
ence burst into wild cheer. whereupon
the ushers called for silence; but when
Mercier replied he would admit that
Dreyfus was innocent, If there was any
doubt, the prisoner shouted: why
don't you, then?" AT this there was an
other outburst of applause. Casimir-
Perrier then arose and dramtically de-
manded to be confronted with Mercier.
in order to deny some of his statements.
Col. Jouast orderd court adjourned
till Monday morning, for confirmation.
and as Mercier turned to leave the
court the audience rose en- masse and
Kissed and cursed him, those at the
back of the court standing on chairs
and benches in order to the better
hound him down.
Gendarmes placed themselves be-
tween the general and the audience,
which showed strong disposition to
maltreat the former minister of war.
was hurried out through side
door amid fierce denunciations OF the
audience.
Emerging on the street the crowd |
eheered him and the army. "Ah.'' crisd
; spsctstor of the scene In court. ~ |
: !