Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-23
LABORPS DAY.
Not Only Receives Ovation on
Reappearing in Court
But Scores Many Points for His
Client, Captain Dreyfus.
Gen. Merci"r cornered and May Soon Occupy
a Prison Cell.

Rennes, Aug. 22.-Today was Maitre
Laboris day at the Lycee, where Capt.
Alfred Dreyfus is standing trial on
charge Of treason. He was the CEN
trail figure of the scene. AS the Drey-
fus drama unroled before a crowded
court, this forenoon, his tall, Viking
like form draped in long, black gown.
bordered with ermine, sitting in front
OF the foot lights, was the magnet,
which, from the moment the curtain
was rung up until it fell at noon, drew
all eyes, not merely glances of Curl
osity, but the steady gaze of admira-
ton. His mere presence brought
brightness into the court room and
light into the proceedings.
Labor did what people had expected.
He galvanized the dormant defence in
to an active, living thing. Maitre De-
mango was conciliatory. He has al
ways seemed to fear to tread on the
military corn. Labor is gladiator
and always speaks to touch his foe to
the quick. Let there be the slightest
opening in his opponents defence and
he thrusts home. Today, when Mai
tire Demange found nothing to ask
witness, Maitre Laboris quick eye had
forward with searching questions.
He opened with an eloquent speech;
and the audience could have listened
for hours as his rich, melodious voice
modulated tones and then impassioned
outbursts, accompanied by energetic
and speaking gestures, filled the court
room.
Generals Roget Billot. MERCER and
p..gz l.T. IN
witnesses. gave one another glances
and put their heads together to ex-
change obviously disagreeable impress
sions. as Labor piled the smaller mill
tary fry, who occupied the witness
stand, today, with disconcerting ques-
tions.
Labor cornered Gen. MERCER on the
Schneider letter. which the latter had
used in evidence and which Col.
Schneider had repudiated as a forgery.
The general was surprised when Labori
suddenly demanded-th MERCER be re-
called
Evidently he hoped the tribunal
would support his in refusing to ex-
plain how he got a copy Of letter
whichTwas of a later date than his in
cumbency at the ministry of war.
But Labori was not to be denied. He
insisted that MERCER should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitating,
MERCER declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching to his
possession of the document. This, as
Labor intended it should be, was a
demonstration of communication by
the general staff of part, at least, of
the secret dossier to an ordinary SOL
der, such as MERCER became immedi-
ately after leaving the ministry of war.
When Labor had attained his object
and forced confession of grave vio-
lation of law on the part of Gen. Mer-
cier, he gave a smile of great satisfac-
ton and then added: II shall have
other questions to put to Gen. Mer-
cier.''
Gen MERCER made a pitiable exhibit
ton. NJ. Labori in a passion fairly
Numbered his questions.
What can be the value of docu-
mentS." said he. which we cannot see
and cannot discuss; documents for
which it is impossible to know who
takes the responsibility? l appeal to
you. Nj. lie President. to be good
enough to ask Gen. MERCER how this
document came into his possession"
MERCER. driven into corner, feebly
evaded the question.
M. lie President" continued Labor,
Il insist that a reply be given. Gen.
MERCER has sworn to speak the whole
truth. | must insist that questions re-
specially rendered by the defence be
answered by him. The courtmartial.
unlike the court of cessation, has to
deal with the whole range of the af-
fair: and it is necessary that complete
light be thrown upon it. l insist that
Gen. MERCER answer me. for it is my
right"
After Merciers shuflling collapse. M.
Labori sank back into his arm chair.
great beads of perspiration standing
on his forehead, but his countenance
radiant at the impression he had
made.
Gen. MERCER must now be spending
a very miserable evening. for as the
result Of this admission and with the
additional charge of communicating
secret documents to the Courtmartial
of 1894, he is liable to arrest at any
time. Indeed, some people think it not
(Contipupd IN mayo