The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-09-13
LABORI AGAIN In COURT.
Wounded Counsel Renews Fight Fol
Dreytus With Remarkable Vigor'
WARMLY WELCOMED IN COURT.

Chief Lawyer For the Defence Signalize
His Recovery From His Wound b!
Vigorous Attack-ue Questions Gen
eral Mercier-Chief Accuser Refuses Il
Answer and Stands Convicted.
RsNEEs, France (By Cable. ).-Maltre La
boris return to court was like royal pro-
oession. The entire line Of the route o
Dreyfus's chief counsel, who has just re-
covered from the effects OF the assassin:
bullet, from Professor Basch's house on
the Rue Dantrain to the Lycee, a dis
tance Of mile, was lined with gendarmes
stationed fifty yards apart. The
populace, attracted by this unusual
precaution, made quite a showing
along the sidewalks. LaborI's party came
in two landaus,the first containing Labori,
Nine. Labori, Professor Basch and Jaures;
other police agents, while two more oil
Hennion's men on bicycles preceded tho
carriage, on the lookout for possible dan.
ger.
Labori received grand ovation on re-
turning to the court room. He had moth
ing OF the usual appearance OF an invalid.
On the contrary, he seemed to be In splen-
did health.
warmly by the hand. General Merciei
even smiled at him. The audience stood
up and applauded.
Complimentary speeches were exchanged
between the President OF the court and
Maitre Labori.
The Dreyfusards and the anti-Dreyfus-
ards are beginning to show greater cor
diality toward each other.
The evidence given was Of no value
whatsoever, although Captain Dreyfus ex-
hibIted great irritation when Captain lie.
moine tried to fix the charge OF treason
against the prisoner, on the ground that
he had. seen him at the German man9u-
vres in Mulhause, Alsace.
The Ave hours session was crowded full
OF dramatic situations and incidents. The
man who has become scarcely less con-
spicuous figure than the prisoner himself,
returned to the stage and the whole atno-
sphere OF the scene changed instantly. No.
body can understand the spectacle which
they watched with wondering eyes. Maitre
Labori, though wounded, Is giant OF
strength, energy and valor. He seemed
more than g man as be plunged Into the
fray. striking mighty blows, which speed.
fences, and now 1t Is known at last what
those defences are.
Labort compelled General Mercier tc
admit by his refusal to answer questions
that he was TN possession OF secrets OF the
French Department pertaining to the case
which he had received since he ceased te
be Minister Of War.
Colonel Bertin, who commanded Drey.
fuss department when the prisoner was
degraded, was forced to admit that he In
conversation with N. Laborl first suggested
to the attorney that the prisoner was In
nocent.
Laborl proposes to recall all the generals
who belonged to tbs French Army staff.
who testified while he was absent, and ore
the principal accusers OF Dreytus.
A feature Of the testimony during the
past two or three days which terribly hu.
inflated decent Frenchmen Is the revela.
tion OF the low social instincts OF the
French officers. They have not hesitated
to reveal private condolences which have
not the remotest bearing upon the ques.
hon Of treason. This has revolted many
of the audience, even those whose sympa.
thies are against Dreyfus.
One result OF NJ. Labori's fighting policy
was that only one-half Of the witnesses as.
signed for examination gave their testi.
hony. It Is difficult to see the end OF the
trial within three We .ks.