The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-29

~ ~ OAO VI LHC CAO4IAb6 SSNASS
of the. trial. The proceedings opened
with a skirmish entirely favorable to
the defence over Colonel Maurel, presi-
dent of the c~ourt-martial Of 1894, who
admitted reading one Of the secret doc
uments to the court which had not been
seen by the defense. He protested that
only one document was looked at, alleg-
ing that this sufficed to enable him to
form a. conviction that could not be
shaken.
This protest made matters worse, be-
cause, as NJ. Labor pointed out, if he
perused one it was his bounded duty to
Deruse all.
Colonel Jouaust upheld Colonel Maui
rel in his refusal to indicate the nature
of the document he read, but NJ. labor
~nnoun that he would summon Cap
tain Freystatter, another member of
the tribuna Of 1894, and get his version
of what then passed behind the backs
of the counsel for the defense. ,
Colonel Maurel felt his position keen
ly, and continually hesitated before re-
plying to M. Labori's questions.
All TINS, however, was only prelim-
mary to a fierce battle that ensued be-
tween M. Labor and General Mer ,ier.
the latter receiving reinforcements
from General Roget, General Gonse and
General de Boisdeffre, as we'll as in
valuable assistance from Colonel Jou-
aust himself.
NJ. Labor took General MERCER over
the whole ground of his previous de-
position. This led to several sharp
passages at arms between the advocate
and Colonel Jouaust, who upheld Mer-
cier in refusing to reply to several ques-
tons, which, in the general opinion of
those in the court loom were distinctly
pertinent.
TRYING TO OVERRIDE LABORI.
Whenever General MERCER was corn
cred he declined to answer and Colonel
JOuaust invariably supported him M.
Labor protested most theoretically.
His words and manner breathed the
deepest indignation, but the president of
the court-martial was inflexible. The
Intervention of Generals Gonse, Roget
and De Boisdeffre and Major Lauth,
who in rapid succession mounted the
stage or rose in their seats and inter-
posed remarks, was very exciting, and
carried the spectators along on a wave
of breathlesS interest. One after the
other, these officers, who were today in
full uniform, would jump up and cry:
Il demand to be heard!" and without
further, waiting, ascend the steps of the
platform and begin a statement in sup
port Of a brother officer. Sometimes
four officers were on the stage at the
same moment. 1t was a marvellous dis
play of military clannishness.
AT one time a perfect babel of voices
reigned for several minutes until Col
onel Jouaust interviewed and restored
order.
JOUAUSTS HOSTILE ATTITUDE.
NJ. Labori's cross examination was
successful so far as it went, but Col
onel Jouaust prevented him pressing
his advantage to the Utmost. In fact,
Jouaust's hostile attitude toward the
counse for the defence then and dur
ing the cross examination of the wit
ness M. de Grandmaison evoked the Sc
Verest criticism On the part of the pub
lie present and BODIES i'll for Dreyfus.
Not only Colonel J%ouaust, but the other
Judges displayed considerable impati-
ence during Labori's scathing cross eX-
animation, shifting restlessly in their
seats and drumming h table with the
tips of their fingers.
General MERCER faced Labori's fire
with callous demeanor, standing on the
platform, his hands behind his back
and his face only half turned TOWARD
his questioner. Once or twice a savage
look in the eyes, an elevation in the
tone and a swaying to and fro of the
body revealed the inner fires Of resent
ment.
General Roget faced the court with
an air of unblushing ~effrontery. His
handsome, but unsympathetic, eature
expressed the bitterest scorn, as he
spur roun on his heel and with arms
crossed, faced Labor or the audience
or the judges. He is extremely vair
and is always striking attitudes for the
benefit of newspaper artists, quite &
number of whom regularly attend tht
sessions. His impertinent behavior
was strikingly Illustrated today wher
l. -
of General Chamoin, which had result.
ed in NJ. Labori's scoring heavily
against MERCER, with the exclamation
This examination is a waste of time!'
AS a matter of fact, the examination
of Chamoin showed MERCER in a very
bad light, as 1T brought out tina he hat
privately mmunicate to Chamoin
on the first day of the secret sessions
a report on the Panizzardi dispatch fol
insertion in the secret dossier. Genera
Chamoin admitted hat he wa wrong
in accepting the report, but pleaded ig
norance in judicial matters. The re
port consisted of three pages, OF which
the second and third, Chamoin said
contained fantastic and, in fact, falls
representations.
NJ. Labori brought General MERCER t
the bar in reference to this
MERCER admitted that the reports ema
mated from du Patty de Clam, but claim
ed that he himself did not UNDERSTAND
its contents, though he thought it woult
be interesting and perhaps useful t.
'Chamoin. This explanation was regard
ed as very lame, and, combined witt
other shady actions, would damn Mer
c1er as a witness i'm h eyes of an.
impartial tribunal.
The correspondent of the Associates
Press saw Madam Labori this after
noon and conversed with her regarEi in,
her husbands condition. She said b
was progressing rapidly. though still
suffering considerable pain. 1.-THE wa
he is recovering" she exclaimed, seem
to me almost miraculous"
BASE PERVERSION OF EVIDENCE
AT the opening Of the proceeding
this morning Colonel Jouaust ordere
that the evidence Of Penot, a friend O
the late Colonel Sanherr, chief of tn
.court which WAS done. This Testimony