The San Francisco call., 1899-09-07

JOudSl, president OF lHS DISy
fus cOurt-martiaI, and NJ. La
bori, leading counsel for the defense.
the latter wishes to retire from the
case. He is convinced that the judges
are utterly hostile to him, and it was
said he had conceived the idea Of a
dramatic withdrawal at the opening of
to-morrow's session.
A meeting of NJ. Laboris friends, 1t
was said, will be held at NJ. Laborf s
house 10 determine whether such step
IS advisable. NJ. Labori's withdrawal
from the case would be tantamount to
q public declaration of his feelings that
the judges have shown a bias against
Dreyfus and his counsel. The opinion
of the Dreyfusards this afternoon ap-
pears to- be opposed to the contem-
plated step which they think the anti
Dreyfusards would represent as an ad-
mission of weakness in Dreyfus case.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press called at the house Of NJ. Labor,
where the advocates secretary was
questioned with reference to the report
that NJ. Labor intended to retire from
the defense of Dreyfus. The secretary
was able to give positive denial to
the story that Labori would leave his
post, now that the trial was drawing
near close. Many inquiries on the
subject had been received during the
afternoon.
NJ Labori's secretary was asked if
replies by telegraph had been received
from Emperor William or King Hum
bert in response to the advocate s
messages asking that COlonels
SchWarzkOppen and PaniZZardi be per
mitted to come to Rennes to testify be-
fore the court. He replied that no
message whatever had been received
20 H thought II
quite possible that SChwarzkOppen ana
Panizzardi would not come in person,
but that they would send dispositions,
in which case the trial would doubtless
end on Monday or Tuesday Of next
week.
The various generals and the military
witnesses who have been in attendance
upon the COurt-martial are preparing TO
leave Rennes, having the order tele-
graphed yesterday by the Minister of
War, General Marquis de Galltfet.
General Roget will take his departure
tomorrow. which is an indication that
the closing speeches Of counsel are eX-
pected TO begin on Friday.
The exciting episode Of the mornings
sitting was a scene in which NJ. La
bOri. General BillOt Colonel JOuaust
and Captain Dreyfus participated.
Things had progressed quietly and
even monotonously up to that time.
La Dame Blanche" with her famous
pearls in her ears and around her neck,
kept whispering to her companion.
Others. who from the first had taken
the keenest interest in every word ut
tered in the court, seemed bored and
the intense heat in the room sent sew
eral to sleep. Suddenly, when General
BillOt. in low, even tones, again brought
out what many declared is the generals
last card, namely, the completely of
Dreyfus and Esterhazy. there was a re-
markable change Of scene. NJ. Labori,
in terrible excitement and waving his
arms. protested in a ringing voice
Dreyfus, who had been sitting like a
statue. also jumped to his feet despite
the restraining hand that a gendarme
placed upon his shoulder, and with his
face flaming with passion said, address
ing Colonel Jouaust: Il protest, col
onel; I protest against this odious ac-
cusation."
NJ Labori, at the same time, was de-
manding to be heard. Colonel Jouaust
equally determined not to hear him,
called out: "Maitre Labor, l refuse to
allow you to speak
When NJ. Labori finally gave up and
sat down, trembling, he was deathly
pale.