The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-15
The News Of the Shooting Of the
Defendants Counsel
Causes a Sensation In the Courtroom When
the News Was Received.
M. Casimir-Perier, the Former
President of the French Repub-
lie, on the Stand at Yesterdays
Session Of the Court, Denies
Statements Made by Mercier.

Session of the Court, Denies
Statements Made by Mercier.
RENNES, Aug. 14.-The shooting OF
M. Labor, leading counsel for Dreyfus
robbed the morning session of the
Dreyfus court martial of it's paramount
interest. The murderer, apparently
chose to-day for the attempt, because
it was anticipated that M. Labor would
crush General MERCER, the former Min
itser of War, with his cross question
ing.
The news of the shooting of M. Labor
caused an immense sensation in the
courtroom, where the usual audience
had assembled, awaiting the entrance
of the Judges. M. Laboris absence ha6
just been announced, when suddenly
M. Jaunay, syndic of the judiciary
press, rushed into the room and shout
ed: Labor has been shot,
All present gave a gasp of horror and
surprise, and every man jumped to
his feet, and volley of questions was
hurled at M. Juanay's head, who cry
ing That is all l know rushed out
of court again, followed by a number of
his hearers. Those who remained eX-
citedly discussed the crime, and Wig
orously denounced the authors.
Colonel Jouaust President of the
court, when the news reached him, sus-
pended court until 1:15 a. m.
1t appears that Nine. Labor herself
broke the news to the court, and in
formed M. Journay of the crime, hav-
ing rushed from her husbands side
crying for doctor, and shouting that
her husband had been shot
When the cOurt-martial was resumed
General MERCER was confronted with
NJ. Casimir Perier, the former Presi-
dent of France. The latter declared
that NJ. Mercier's story, told on the
witness stand Saturday, of the i'm
minence of war between Germany and
France in 1884 was grossly exagger-
ated, and complained of the action of
the then Minister of War Mercier) in
moving 10000 troops to the frontier
without consulting him.
AS it was Nj. Labori's task to take
General MERCER in hand and M. De-
mango, associate counsel, was Qui sazII-
prepared for the task, the few queS-
tions the latter put were practically of
little effect, and General MERCER es-
capped cheaply Moreover, Nj. Demange
was deeply affected by the attempt to
assassinate his colleague, and was
quite unable to do himself justice.
NJ. Demange, when court assembled
at l:20 a. m, announced that though
his colleagues wound was not so seri-
Gus as at first supposed, it would be
impossible for the latter to participate
in the proceedings.
When General MERCER was recalled
in reply to the President of the court
he reiterated his belief that Major
Count Esterhazy, in spite of the latters
own declaration, was not the author of
the bordereau, which the witness
claimed was written on tracing paper,
and was found in an Embassy.
The President asked NJ. Casimir-
Perier to explain the circumstances of
the confession Dreyfus is alleged to
have made to Captain Labrun Renault.
NJ Casimir-Perier persisted in his
statement of Saturday that he had
never received any confidence of this
character from Captain Lebrun Rem
then Premier, was present when Cap
tain Lebrun Renault called at the
Elysee Palace.
Moreover" said NJ. Casimir-Perier,
here is letter from u. Dupuy, which
I ask may be read"
The letter asserted that Captain Le-
brun Renault when questioned by Nj.
Dupuy, replied that General MERCER
had sent him to the President to re-
ceive a dressing down for his indiscreet
disclosures to the Figaro"
General MERCER here interpoSed, say
ing: Captain Lebrun Renault spoke
to me in regard to the confessions in
the presence of General Gonz, who will
testify thereto. 1t was then that or
dered him to go to the President of the
republic"
Regarding General Merciers declara-
tions on Saturday last, on the witness
stand, NJ Casimir-Perier said: General
MERCER has not the right whatever TO
intervene in a diplomatic conversation.
1 would have prevented such interfer-
ence. l declare that the impression l
derived from the conversation was one
of complete calm, otherwise the Incl
dent would not have been closed by
the framing of a note.
I'VE had no telegram from Berlin
that evening. 1t was in regard to d
note the Minister referred to Berlin If
there had been any news in regard to
the matter on the evening of the 6tn
we would not have waited until the Sth
to publish the matter. There was no
dispatch addressed to the friendly
Powers relative to the incident. The
incident had been magnified. Besides,
in the event of diplomatic complica-
lions, the President would have COM
municated with the Minister of For
eign Affairs
General MERCER replied that he went
to the Elysee Palace as Minister OF
War. He recalled that General de
Boisdeffre could testify in regard to the
orders. M. Demange seized upon this
declaration, and insisted that Genera.
MERCER repeat the statement that he
had given orders to General de Boisdef-
FIRE on the 9th relative to mobilization
NJ Casimir-Perier resumed his testi-
Ynony, and said he did not reply to GER
tain of General Mercier's insinuations.
IT do not wish to answer them" said
the former President. 1.-The ci-cum-
stances are too sad and too tragic for
me to try to envenom the discussion.
I am master Of myself and of my con-