The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-13
WAS DISCREDl1 | !
Testimony Of Merclcr Proved Wax
and Without Effect.
SENSATIONS WERE EXPECTED.
Overwhelming Proofs Which He Prom.
Used Did Not Matcrlallze.
EVIDENCE WAS, HOWEVER, DRAMATIC.
No Light Was Thrown Upsa tue Case y
the Witnesses.
MERCER WAS KISSED BY raE SPECTATORS
EVIDENCE WAS, HOWEVER, DRAMATIC.
aERclERwAs KISSED BY TIE SPECTATORS
Said the onIy Motive for Dreyfus'
Treason Was that He Had No
Feeling of Patriotism.

Rennes. August l2--Today's scenes in
fus were ms dramatic as those OF Monday
| when the prisoner was arraigned. NJ.
related his connection with the court.
after which General Mercier was placed
on the stand. The lattor's testimony pro-
voked a stirring scene. General MERCER
had spoken nearly four hours in ruthless
denunciation OF Dreyfus. who had listen
ed unmoved until Mercier concluded by
saying that II he had not been convinced
of the guilt OF Dreyfus and II the lattcr's
conviction had not been fortified since
1894 he would admit he had been mistaken.
Dreyfus jumped to his feet as though the
word had galvanized into him life, and
shouted in voice which resouuded
through the hall like trumpet note;
THAT Is what you ought to say"
The audience burst into wild cheer.
whereupon the ushers called for silence.
But when Mercler replied that he would
admit Dreyfus was innocent II there was
any doubt, the prisoner shouted why
don't you say that. say that Is your duty"
Then another outburst of applause,
AS Mercier was leaving the court room
the audience rose en- masse and Missed
and cursed him, those Mt the back of the
.l.,t..
order to better see him. The audience
showed strong disPasts'ai to maltr~Ht
the former minister of war. The anti
Dreyfusites have cried wolf too often. At
the outset of General Mercier's testimony,
no prepared the court for war scare
by declaring the emperor OF Germany per-
sonally took an active part In organizing
espionage, and then later when he defend
cd his action In communicating the secret
dossier to the court martial of 1894, he
said: Il no longer have reason to keep
silent and am going to accomplish what
j consider my duty. In 1894 the diplo-
matte situation was perilous. NJ. Hano-
taux dhen minister of foreign affairs) had
indicated that NJ. CasmIr- Perier had
spoken before the criminal chamber about
the unusual step then taken by Count
Won Munster. He also exposed the some
what unusual way by which he could
double himself into an official parsonage
and private parsonage. later giving Count
Won Munster information which was at
first refused him.
But NJ. Casimir- Perler amended his dis
position, saying he had not said the same
day NJ. Dupuy and myself remained from
in the evening until 1890 in his pri-
vate office at the Elysee awaiting the re-
suit of telegraphic communications be-
tween the emperor of Germany and Count
Won Munster We remained four hours
and half waiting to see II anything would
result from this exchange of kilograms"
Here NJ. CasimIr- Perler shook his hand
and head in cmphatlcal denial Of General
Mercier's statement
The latter continued II had been in
formed in tho afternoon that the situation
was very grave Count Won Munster handed
an offer from his sovereign to ask for his
passports II his demands were not con-
ceded. was prepared to give the order
for mobilization. You see we were within
an ace OF war II was only at 1890 that
NJ. Casimir- Perler notified me that Count
Won Munster had accepted the insertion Of
1 somewhat vague note declaring the am
bassador was not involved
M. Casimir-P erler here again made
-epudiating gesture. General MercIer con-
inued to explain that this was the reason
or his action regarding the secret dossier.
II Dreyfus is guilty he possesses SUI
,erhuman nerve for he listened to Gem
rial Mercier's pitiless arraignment this
with rightly Of features. He
ould not have suspected the volcano with
a Dreyfus. which burst forth when hui
nan flesh and blood could stand It no
onger. The only sign OF the nrs within
,as his heavins bosom and the parching
I his lips and palate. which be occas-
onally moistened with his tongue.