Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-23
NTI.nREYEI,sITEs TACTICS.
OVATION TO LABORI.
Even Nercier and Biilot Congratu-
Into Him on His Heappearance.

MN Nl@S. august - hdAllc i<N'"A''
leading counsel for the defence, who was
murderously assaulted August l4th. was
present in court this morning at the open
ing of the Dreyfus trial.
The arrival Of NJ Labor at the Lycee
was the signal for scenes Of eNtraordi-
nary enthusiasm. The crowd about the
Lycea building rushed up 10 his carriage,
and a number of people eagerly thrust
their hands through the windows TO greet
the distinguished lawyer.
When VI. Labori descended he was sur
rounded by friends, and hundred hands
pressed his, while he was assailed with
all sorts of questions, 70 which he smil-
ingly replied: Il am going on well, my
friends. Thank you; thahS you
As NJ. Labor, still accompanied by
Madame Labor and a physician, entered
the room, the audience greeted him by
standing. and there was j general roar
Of applause, accompanied by the clapping
of hands, which was distinctly heard in
the streets. Tears sprang To the eyes Of
the wounded man. who was evidently ef-
fected by the warm welcome accorded
him. Among those who greeted NJ. La
mort were Generals BillOt and MERCER,
who courteOusly inquired as 10 his con-
ditiOn.
LABORI LOOKS WELL
The lawyer looked very well, consider
ing his recent experience. He walked
quite briskly, but held his left arm close
10 his side, in order not to disturb the
wound. lie was conducted TO a light,
well-cushoned armchair. instead of the
ordinary cane-bottom chair, behind the
table set apart for the lawyers. Nine.
I4abOri, VINO entered the courtroom
ahead of her husband. also received a
hearty greeting. As she took a seat IN
court she was surrounded by friends, who
overwhelmed her with congratulations on
her husbands recovery To which she
smilingly responded.
At first the audience seemed TO be APP
prehensive that Colonel JOuaust presi-
dent of the court. might treat the APP
plause OF NJ Labor as a demonstration
which would warrant him i'm clearing
the court. 1t began, therefore, with few
timid claps OF the hands. but these were
soon followed by general applause upon
the part Of the whole audience, with the
exception Of few standing at the back
of the courtroom.
As VI. Iabori shook hands with Gene
rails Billot and MERCER. who smilingy
congratulated him on being able 10 re-
appear in the case. the lawyer thanked
them for calling at his residence while
he was In bed.
DREYFUS'S GRATITUDE.
Dreyfus entered the courtroom soon
afterwards. and having saluted the
judges, turned TO NJ Labor with out
stretched hand, smile of keen pleasure
lighting up his pale and usually impas-
sive features. The lawyer took the pris-
oner's hand and shook it warmly, where
upon Dreyfus gave him another look Of
gratitude. and took his seat i'm front Of
counsers table, with his back toward
them.
Colonel Jouaust next read from paper
an address TO NJ LabOri the tone of the
president being quite sympathetic. The
lawyer made an imprisoned reply. He
was deeply affected. and his voice was
clear, though not so strong as before he
was shot. He was very nervous and. eX-
cited, and swayed 20 ard fro as he de-
llvered his reply. His hearers were pro-
foundly impressed.
NJ. Laborrs reply to the president con-
siderably fatigued him, and he sat down
flushed and holding his side. He after
wards once or twice nerv0usly twitched
his fingers and an expression filtered
over his face as though he We're suffering.
MADAME REJANE PRESENT.
Madame Reiane. the celebrated actress,
was among those present in court to-day.
She made the trip 90 Rennes especially
TO see the trial and return Of VI. Labor
into the case. and she was one Of those
who applauded the most heartily his
entry into the courtroom.
The first witness to-day was NJ Gre
ner. the former Project Of Belfort. His
testimony was favorable 10 Dreyfus and
distinctly hostile 20 Esterhazy.
Major ROllin Of the Intelligence Depart
ment. was asked by NJ. Labori. during the
course OF the formers testimony. how a
certain document. OF "a later date than
Mercier's ministry. came into General
Mercier's possession. Rolin said II was
not his business 10 explain. but counsel
insisted on asking whose business II was.
MERCER ASKED TO EXPLAIN.
Finally VI. Labor asked Colonel Jou-
aust 20 request General MERCER 10 OK
plain. The General rose and said he de-
clined 10 answer.
NJ Labor insisted but MERCER still re-
fused TO answer and Major Carriere. the
government commissary, supported him
on the ground that the examination was
entering upon a matter which ought not
I'm the interest of the country, TO 0e dis
cussed publicly
NJ Labor then declared in a loud voice
that ne would reserve to himself the
right 10 take the necessary measures 10
obtain the desired Information.
POINT MADE BY DREYFUS.
The next point was made by Dreyfus, IN
his reply to Major Rolln. The latter had
remarked that all the prisoners papers
were seized when his rooms were search
ed I'm 1894. and Colonel Jouaust said that
certain papcrs from his textbook, the
"School of War" were found missing
To this the prisoner retorted:
"Not in 1894. my colonel
This caused some sensation, as the OBJ
vious INTERPRETATION was that the pages
were torn out at the War Office. and that
then the fact was used against him as an
insinuation that he mad communicated
the missing pages TO foreign agents.
former Secretary Of the war Office
named Ferret, next testified TO seeing
Dreyfus prying into other officers work
during their absence, and the prisoner re-
piled. excitedly. that Ferrets statements
were concoctions by a former Minister
OF War. which caused sensation. Then,
I'm a cooler manner, the prisoner made a
statement explaining the difficulties in
the way of a civilians entering the Of
fee Ferret being a civilian.
ESTERHAZY A bad LOT"
NJ. Grenier, former project OF Belfor,
was the first witness called. He said h,
considered EsterhaZy 10 be an irrespon-
sible parsonage. Esterhazy he continued
was the orderly OF the witnesses father
who always praised his fidelity and de-
votion; but EsterhaZy. even then. was
disappointed man. He was always com
planning of deception, grumbing at fate
and living I'm great style. without means
tc uphold it, He squaadered successive
legacies.
At Esterhazy's request, the witness
made numerous attempts TO get him into