The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-13

fdeNCe in his words,
When his testimony was ended NJ.
Casimir- perier was conducted back 70
his sent by nun-commiSsioned officer.
and all eyes were directed towards a
door to the right. There was a moment
Of painful suspense and then General
Mercer entered the court room and was
conducted to the witness stand by a
soldier.
On stranger. his appearance and
bearing produced n far from favorable
effect He gave the impression of shift.
mess. his forehead was wrinkied, his
eyebrows were contracted and his eyes
peered through Sits between his puffy
eyelids. His cheeks were sallow and he
spoke almost inaudibly and IN weak,
monotonous voice.
This moiiologue lasted nearly four
hours, with ten minutes suspension at
II O'clock, when there was a general
feeling that the witness was going 70
prove as the Dreyfusards predicted, an
utter hasco.
Colonel Jouaust then said:
Have You finished?'
General MERCER replied
"Yes"
Colonel Jouaust then announced that
the sessions of the court martial would
be resumed Monday morning.
NJ. Casimir-p erier thereupon rose and
said:
After the deposition Of General Mer-
cier | shall ask the court to hear me,
and | would prefer it to be in confronta-
ton with him"
This announcement caused sensation.
One newspaper man in court was ar
rested for calling General MERCER. us
he passed by him, a murderer. But, later
on, the man was released.
Dreyfus was hurried out by gen.
darmes, who Immediately cleared tile
court room.
While he was under examination, Cen
eral MERCER asked Colonel Jouaust to
allow him to present document showing
how an espionage system was organized
in France by Colonel Scwarzkoppen, the
former German Military Attache at Par
is. The document referred to the fortif-
cations of the Afeuse.
General MERCER then entered into nm
explanation intending to prove Schwarz-
koppen was at the head of the German
espionage in france, and, afterward, had
the famous letter containing the words
'cette canaille de D. read.
In the meanwhile Dreyfus watched
MERCER through his eyeglasses, hut ap-
parently quite unmoved. The witness
who displayed the deepest interest was
NJ. Casimir Perier. Seated in front of
q row of private seats, he leaned for
ward with his hands on his knees. ex-
cept when very excited. when he lifted
his hands in an expressive gesture of
disgust or Impotence.
MERCER. who had his back turned to
fine former President, saw nothing of
this, but after he had completed his tes-
timony and had reiterated all the charges
contained in NJ. Ormescheville's bill Of
Indictment, MERCER presented docu-
ment to be read by the clerk, which
proved to ye the alleged Dreyfus letter
concerning the alleged engagement en-
tered into with NJ Casimir- Perier, which
the latter had so holly denounced The
last word had barely left the clerks lips
when NJ Casinlir- Perier jumped up and
shouted:
That's the letter / read in the news
papers"
General MERCER, startled. turned round
and muttered excuses, saying he did not
believe a President of the Republic
would enter into such an engagement.
TO this NJ. Casimir- Perier retorted in
a tone of the bitterest sarcasm:
THANK you, General for this testi-
monial."
At the end of his evidence General
MERCER said he believed that the only
motive Of Dreyfus' treason was that
Dreyfus had no feeling OF patriotism.
This cruel utterance brought forth
Kisses from the audience whose blood
had been sent up to fever heat by the
witnesses savage attacks on Dreyfus.
General MERCER, terminated with re-
If the least doubt crossed my mind,
Gentlemen, i would be the first to declare
it TO you and say before you: .Dreyfus,
am mistaken hut in good faith
Then Dreyflis electrified his hearers.
He jumped to his feet, as though the
words had galvanized him into new life,
and shouted with a voice which resound-
ed through the hall like a trumpet note:
THAT is what you ought to say!
The audience burst into a wild cheer,
whereupon the ushers called for silence.
General MERCER then stammered:
WUulu come aIFu say AaDLdIll DTe9
fms, was mistaken in good faith and
come with the same good faith to admit
it, and will do all in human power to
repair the frightful error =
why don't you then. That is your
duty"
General MERCER after a pause, when
the excitement had partially calmed,
said:
''Well, no. Ny convictions since 1894
have not suffered the slightest
weakening. They are fortified
by the deepest study Of the
dossier and also by the inanity Of
the means resorted to for the purpose of
proving the innocence of the condemned
man Of 1894, in spite Of the evidence ac-
ctinTlated and in spite Of the millions
Of money expended"
General MERCER when be had finished
his testimony, according to the general
opinion, had said really nothing and had
proved nothing. The Overwhelming
proofs he was TO have thrown down be-
fore the members Of the court martial
like a bombshell, failed to appear and he
left the court discredited.