The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-15
MERCER GOT OFF EASY.
gIaitre Labordi Was the Counsel to
Deal With the General.


interest The murderer apparently, chose
to-day for the attempt, because it was
anticipated that NJ. Labori would crush
Cen Mercier, the former minister of war.
with his cross questioning.
The news of the shooting of NJ Labor
caused an immense sensation in the court
room. where the usual audience had as
sembled, awaiting the entrance of the
Judges NJ. Labori's absence had just
been announced. when suddenly NJ. Jau-
nav. syndic of the judiciary press, rushed
mo the room and shouted: M. Labor
has been shot"
AL, present gave a gasp of horror and
surprise and then every man jumped TO his
feet and a volley of questions was hurried
al NJ Jaunay's head, who crying. THAT
Is all / know rushed out of court again,
followed by a number of his hearers. Those
who remained eXcitedly discussed the
crime ana vigorously denounced the au-
thors
COR Jouaust, president of the court,
when the news reached him, suspended the
sitting of the courtmartial until 7:l5 a. m.
When the courtmartial was resumed Gen.
MERCER was confronted with NJ Casimir-
Teritr. the former president of France.
The latter declare that Mercier's story
told on the witness stand Saturday, of the
France in 1894. was grossly exaggerated.
and he complained of the action of he
then minister of war (MercieD in moving
GV0 troops to the frontier without con-
sulGug him
AS it was NJ. Laboris task to take Gen.
Mcrcor in hand and NJ. DeMange, asso-
ciate counsel, was quite unprepared for
the task the few questions the latter pot
were practically of little effect and Gen.
N,roier escaped cheaply. Moreover, NJ.
IeMange was deeply affected by The al
tempt to assassinate his colleague and was
quite unable to do himself justice.
When Gen. MERCER was recalled, in re-
ply TO the president of the court he reit-
Grated his belief that Mai. Count Ester
bazy, in spite of the latters own declara-
ton, was not the author OF the bOrdereau,
which The witness claimed, was written
on tracing paper, and was found in an
embassy
Ex-President's Testimony.
The president asked NJ. Casimir-Perier
10 explain the circumstances of the con-
fesson Dreyfus is alleged to have made to
Capt. Lebrun-Renault. NJ. Casimir-Pe-
uer persisted in his statement of Satur-
day that he had never received any conf
dence of this character from Capt. Lee
brun- Renault. M. Casimir-P erier, resum-
ing his testimony, said he did not desire
10 reply TO certain of Gen. Mercier's in
sinsuauons.
II do not wish to answer them" said
the former President. 'The circum-
stances are too sad and too tragic for
me to desire to envenom the discussion.
/ am master of myself and of my con-
science. / would only state that Gen.
MERCER has made every effort to mix me
as deeply as possible in this affair But
have remained aloof, I affirm during
the progress of the Investigation
The former President then complained
of the incorrect behavior of his subordl-
nate toward the chief of the state. NJ.
nemange asked NJ. Casimir-Perier if, on
Ve sixth an understanding had not been
reached between France and Germany on
the subject of Dreyfus.
NJ Casimir-Perier replied that before his
interview with the minister on the sixth
'He question of Dreyfus mad never been
raised between them and Germany.
Counsel next asked Gen. MERCER why
inc cNplana ions of the secret dOsser We're
not included in the dossier relating to the
revision
The general replied that he considered
these explanations were given for his per
sooal use and that was why he had des-
uoyed the documents. AT this NJ. De-
mango expressed a sense of astonishment
ana asked Gen. MERCER if he did not have
reasons for suppressing the document.
me witness repudiated the suggestion.
Dfevfus at this point rose from his seat
Y ana asked TO explain in regard to the as
seruon that he had traced on a card the
#luHefafy of a certain journey of the gen.
eral staff. Both the itinerary and jour
W he asserted, were purely fictitious.
RiIIOt on Piquart.
len. Billot, former minister of war, was
next witness. He was in uniform,
7 with crossed legs and gave his evil
fHee III conversational manner He
Id ne would be Il years of age to-mor-
Nv Like everybody else, he added, he
pdd some knowledge of the Dreyfus af-
[|I before taking the war portfolio. While
teeAng deeply on the subject, he re-
NAMED dioof from the matter until he
!elDlned to the cabinet. He had the sub
st'' Investigated by M. Scheurer- kestnor,
o'le Oh the vice presidents of the Senate,
VINO became convinced of the innocence
Va Dreylus. Gen. Billot, however was
not convinced by this evidence.
me general then dWelt with the role of
III flcquart, whom. he said, he holds
w. lhe highest esteem. After this Gen.
quot referred to Col Picquarts propo-
Stlon to entrap Esterhazy, whom he sus-
pggied' but Gen. Bllot forbade this He
auued that Col Picquart always acted
"lhout authorization. The general jusu-
teu ms treatment of Col. Picquart, whom
~ Add sent Oh a delicate and dangerous
llisslon 10 the far East He said this
was not done in hopes that Picquart would
sy ms heroism 10 atone for previous in
discretions
zen. Billot admitted that at times he
mao entertained strong doubt of Dreyfus'
nv but declared that the proofs of his
innocence had never been conclusive. As
~uIlister Of war his duty had been to
project the country from treason.
Dreyfus Answers Cnvaignac.
NJ Cavaignac, former minister of war,
was me next witness He said among the
principal points upon which he based his
-"IlF4tu ons was the confession to Capt.
-, pt UNI henault, IN support Of which con-
,eHuoh ne quoted passage from an al
.sed letter Of Dreyfus' but which in real
NY was part Of Gen. Comes report OF the
minister Of war on Col. Du Patty de CLANS
i'p'ft Of the alleged confession
ne witness said he also found addi-
,'Dial proofs Of the prisoners guilt IN the
teHHleai character Of the bordereau and
,'"usht the bordereau alone established
,t' Ih't mat treason had emanated from