Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-23
MA|TRE LABORPS DAY
Famous Lawyer ReappeaIs in
the Dreyfus Case
THE EXPECTED HAPPENS.
The Wounded Attorney CalVanlZeS Dor
mant Defence Into Lie
/ GENERAL MERCIER CORNERED.
GENERAL MERCER CORNERED.
Admissions He IL Forced 10 Make
Render Him Liable to Arrest
Other Good Work of LabOri's-Iiis
contamination Most Effective.

RENNEs. August 22.-To-day was
Maitre Labori's day at the Lycee, where
Captain Alfred Dreyfus is standing trial
on the charge OF treason. LabOri was
the central figure Of the scene.
AS the Dreyfus drama umroll6d before
a crowded court this forenoon, Laboris
| tall, vikng-looking form, draped In a long
| black gown, bordered with ermine, sit
| ting in front Of the footlights, was tho
magnet which, from the moment the cur
| tain was rung up, until il fell at noon,
drew all attention, not merely giances Of
curiosity. but the steady gaze of admira-
ton. His mere presence brought bright
ness into the courtroom and fresh light
into the proceedings.
Labor did what people had expected.
! He galvanized the dormant defence into
an active. living thing. NJ. Demange il
conciiatory. lie has always seemed TO
! fear to tread on the military corn. Labor
| is a gladiator. and always aims to touch
| his foe to the quick. Let there be the
| slightest opening in his opponents de-
| fence, and he thrusts home.
LABORPS SEARCHING QUESTION.
To-day. when NJ. Demange found no
! thing TO ask a witness NJ. Laborfs quick
eye had discovered weak spots, and he
came forward with searching questions.
He opened to-day with an eloquent
| speech and the audience could have lis
tened for an hour to his rich, melodious
voice. modulated tones. and then impas-
stoned outbursts. accompanied by ener-
| getc and speaking gestures.
Generals Roget. Billot MERCER and
Boisdeffre, with the other military wit
nesses. gave one another anxious glances,
and put their heads together, to exchange
| obviously disagreeable impressions, as
Labor piled the smaller military fry, who
occupied the witness-stand successfully
to-day, with disconcerting questions.
MERCER CORNERED.
Labor cornered General MERCER on the
| Schneider letter. which the latter had
used in evidence, and which Colonel
Schneider has repudiated The General
was surprised when Labor suddenly de-
I
IDENTITY. he hoped the tribunal would sup
! mort him I'm refusing to explain how he
! GOT a CODY Of letter which was or later
! date than his incumbency Of The Minis
! try of War. -.
But Labor was not to be denied. lie
| insisted that MERCER should give some
| exclamation. Then, after hesitatng, Mer-
! cicr declared that he would assume All
the responsibility attaching 10 his posses
| sion of the documents. This, as laoori
| showed was a demonstration of commu-
nication by the general stan of part ~
least Of the secret dossier 10 an ordinary
soldier such as MERCER became imme-
| diatelv on leaving the Ministry of War.
! When Labor had attained his object
and forced a confession Of grave Nioia-
ton Of law on the part of General Mer-
/ cier. he gave a smile of grim satisiac-
ton and then added significantly: i
| shall have other questions 10 put 10
| General Hercier."
The scene was highly dramatic ana
made profound impression upon all the
! spectators.
| MERCER MAY SOON BE IN PRISON.
General MERCER must now be spending
| a very miserable evening, for, as the re-
| suit Of this admission, and with the auui-
| tional charge Of communicating secret
! documents TO the cOurt-mdftlal OF 1871,
| he is liable to arrest at any moment. IN
/ deed. some people think IL not Impossible
| that he will be lying in the military prl-
/ son adjoining the cell Of Captain Dreylus
/ before the week is out.
Another series Of questions put by NJ.
/ Labor concerned LajouX. spy former
| " in. the service Of the French war
| Once but packed off TO South America,
according TO various military witnesses
\ 4. cause he proved a SWlndler.
J Labor asked how il was, If that were
| so. that Iaioux was still receiving month
| ly payments.
| ANOTHER LABORI HOME-THRUST.
Commandant Rolln, completely taken
| aback. replied that a cessation OF the
payments was under consideration.
The impression conveyed by Laboris
! question. and the replies given, was that
! Iaioux was being paid by the War once
! 10 keep out OF the way in the interest or
Esterhazy. whom Lajoux, in letter read
i'm court. Offering revelations IN the prey
fus affair. indicated as TIE real traitor.
NJ Iaborrs cross-examination in this
matter therefore, was distinct ad-
vantage TO the accused.
Labori announced that he intended 10
recall several witnesses.
WITNESSES TO BE RECALLED.
NJ Labori to-day announced that he in
tended to recall several witnesses who
had made dispositions during his absence.
Tbis means that MERCER Roget, and
others will be put to the test Of severe
cross-examlnation.
TO his friends NJ. Labor expressed him
self confident of being able to tear 70
rieces the evidence these generals nave
given so confidently before sympathetic
cOurt-mdrual.
DREYFUS'S ATTITUDE.
Captain Dreyfus to-day pursued the at
titude he took up yesterday, and replied
IN the statements OF hostile witnesses
with arguments and the presentation oil
coufter-facts. only once giving way 10
his feelings and Offering a cry OF pro-
test. This was at the conclusion OF
colonel Bertin's deposition, when. with
broken voice. the accused declared his
love for France and the army.
yes" he cried. II love France and 1
love the army, but 1t is with sentiments
different from those animatlng those who
come here to-day TO testify against me-
LABORI MUCH BETTER.
NJ Labor. II anything, was better ar
ter his exertions than before them. The
excitement under which he labored seem
ed 10 act ar a stimulant. although many
friends. noticing his flushed face. reared
there might DO a relapse. So far from