New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-25

reau There were therefore, only suspicious but
1t was urgently necessary not to lose time In
arresting him, In order to stop the reasonable
practices.
NJ Labor here asked Colonel Jouaust to Sc
cure the testimony of NJ. Papiland. Editor OF
the "Llbre Parole" in regard to the DIX
letter. in which the name OF Dreyfus was dis
closed that Of the officer arrested for espion-
age AS Colonel Jouaust hesitated. NJ. Labor
insisted upon the necessity for an examination
of the latter. "n order to reach the truth l am
seeking for
THE whole responsibility for this case NJ.
Labor added. II believe. really rests upon the
late Lieutenant Colonel Henry and Colonel .Du
Patty de Clam"
Resuming his examination OF General MERCER,
NJ Labor asked him several questions as to
why he at first ascribed the date of the bor-
dereau to the month Of April. General MERCER
said that in 1904 he was only acquainted with
the general reasons which existed for believing
Dreyfus guilty and had not paid much atten-
ton to the details. The General refused to reply
to many of the questions For instance he de-
clined 10 say whether he had examined the
proofs advanced against Dreyfus
M. Labori-In short you considered 1t In the
nature of a. sensational move to have Dreyfus
prosecuted and sentenced. Did you examine
previously the charges against Dreyfus?
General Mercier--I only examined the nature
of the documents betrayed.
HOT FIRE FROM LABORI.
NJ. Labori-Was It not necessary for that pur-
pose to fix the date of the bordereau?
General Mercer-I do not think so. Further
declare that Maitre Llbori Is discussing the
whole trial Of 1894. That may have some inter
est from an historical point of view. But since
the Court of Cessation quashed the judgment.
IL seems to me that it is not for us now to revert
TO the various features Of that trial.
NJ. Labori pointed out the contradictions in
the testimony OF the officers Of the Headquarters
staff regarding the importance and nature OF
the contents Of the bordereau. and asked Cen
eral MERCER where Dreyfus could have obtained
particulars about the pneumatic brake.
The General hotly objected to being asked to
repeat his testimony. and NJ Labor, equally
warmly. said: 81 am only asking for definite
statements"
General MERCER then said he thought that
Dreyfus might have had cognizance OF the brake
at Bourges adding: I'm any case. he had bet
ter chance to obtain such knowledge than Ester
hay could possibly have had"
NJ Labor retorted: General MERCER says
'Dreyfus might have had cognzance' | desire
TO emphasize that expression We shall now
nrove that Dreyfus could not have had cog
nizance Of the brake" He proceeded to demon
strate how vigorously the secret OF the con-
struction OF the brake was guarded. and asked
WHY. in 1894. the charges regarding the Robin
melinite shells we're not dwelt upon.
General MERCER replied THAT arises from
tho sin,nle fact that II was not known until 1896
or 1897 that information on the subject was
being divulged The existence OF treachery In
regard TO the distribution of heavy artillery
among the army corps was unknown until
1895"
The messages at arms between NJ. Labori and
General MERCER were followed with the keenest
interest The men we're mutually suspicious Of
each other and there was considerable acer-
bity. Colonel Jouaust at times. finding difficulty
in preventing the discussion from wandering
outside legal paths
THE PRISONERS ALLEGED CONFESSION.
Continuing, II. Labor asked why General
Mercier did not have a report prepared regard
ing the confessions Dreyfus IS alleged TO have
made to Captain Lebrun- Renaut.
General Mercier--The question Of the confess
sions was OF no Importance, as a revision Of the
case seemed impossible.
NJ Labori--what does General MERCER think
Of Esterhazy, and the part ne played?
General Mercer-I do not know Esterhazy
and do not think about him at all.
NJ Labori-Did he know you at his trial in
1898?
General Mercier-No.
Colonel Jouaust-General Mercier not
Minister OF War then.
10 nj
MERCER declares he knows nothing OF the trial
OF 1898.
General Mercier--I know nothing OF IT,
leave that to the court martial which tried
Esterhazy. l have only to answer in court
for my acts and refuse you the right 70 ques
ton me about my THOUGHTS. (Sensation)
Colonel Jouaust addressing NJ. LaborD-You
are reverting to the testimony Of General Mer
cer?
NJ Labori-My object in interrogatng the
witness is to revert to his testimony.
General Mercier-I protest against the word
''interrogate" for I am not q prisoner. I'm
terrogatory in French law, generally applies to
the examination Of an accused person by a
maRistrate.)
NJ. Labori-It Is not a question OF interrog-
atory i used the word in the most respectful
sense. VIII General MERCER say what he means
by the charge preferred against the partisans OF
Dreyfus of having spent thirty-fve million
francs? What was this sum used for? The
amount is simply ridiculous.
General Mercier-I might just as we'll ask
you.
NJ. Labori-Do you mean to suggest that It
was spent in advertisements and In buying
consciences?
HAD NO FACTS TO GIVE.
General Mercier--I say nothing whatever.
Counsel next wished TO know why the Dor
dereau communicated to the court martial
Of 1894, when II was considered impossible to
show the other documents Of the secret dos
ser General MERCER replied: Because the
bordereau not dated. not signed, and It's
place Of origin could be concealed"