The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-23
Tables Turned on Witnesses I'm Sensa-
tionnI Scenes Thai Give Fresh
Hope to Prisoners Friends.
PRISON CELL FOR MERCER
WOULD NOT SURPRISE AFTER YES
TERDAY's FORCED ADMISSIONS.
Something About the Hired Forgers
of the Military Coterie-Mme.
Rejane at the Trial.

RENNES, Aug. 22.-To-day was Maitre
Labori's day at the Lycee. where Captain
Alfred Dreyfus is standing trial on charge
of treason. Labori was the central figure
of the session. AS the Dreyfus drama I'M
rolled before a crowded court this fore
noon his tall. viking-like form, draped in
a long black gown, bordered with ermine.
sitting in front Of the footlights, was the
magnet which, from the moment the cur
tain was run up until il fell at noon, drew
all attention, not merely glances of curios-
ity. but the steady gaze of admiration. His
mere presence brought brightness into the
courtroom and fresh light into the pro-
ceedings.
Labori did what people had expected. He
galvanized the dormant defense into an ac-
tive. living thing. NJ. Demange is concilia-
tory. He has always seemed to fear to
tread on the military corn. Labori is a
gladiator and always speaks to touch his
foe to the quick. Let there be the slightest
opening in his opponents defense and he
thrusts home. To-day when NJ. Demange
found nothing TO ask a witness NJ. Labori's
quick eye had discovered weak spots and
he came forward with searching questions.
He opened with an eloquent speech and
the audience could have listened for an hour
to his rich, melodious voice, modulated
tones and then impassioned outbursts, ac-
companied by energetic and speaking ges-
lures. Generals Roget. Blot, MERCER and
Boisdeffre. with the other military wit
nesses. gave one another anxious glances
and put their heads together to exchange
obviously disagreeable impressions as
Labori piled the smaller military fry. who
occupied the witness stand successfully to-
day. with disconcerting questions.
Labori cornered Mercier on the Schneider
letter, which the latter had used in evidence
ard which Colonel Schneider had repudia-
ted as a forgery. The general was surprised
hen Lsbori suddenly demanded that Mer-
cier be recalled. Evidently ne hoped the
tribunal would support him in refusing to
explain how he got a copy Of a letter which
was Of later date than his incumbency at
the Ministry of War.
But Labori was not to be denied. He
insisted that Mercier should give some ex-
PLANTATION. Then. after hesitating, Mercier
declared that he would assume all the re-
sponsibility attaching to his possession of
the document. This. as Labori intended 1t
should be. was a demonstration of COM
munication by the general staff of part at
least OF the secret dossier to an ordinary
soldier, such as Mercier became immedi-
ately on leaving the Ministry Of War.
When Labori had attained his object and
forced a confession of grave violation Of
law on the part of General Mercier, he gave
q smile OF grim satisfaction and then added
significantly: II shall nave other questions
to put to General Mercier."
The scene was highly dramatic and made
a profound impression upon all the spec
tators.
General 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 court-martial of 1894, he is liable to
arrest at n moment. Indeed, some people
think II not impossible that he will be
lying in the military prison adjoining the
cell OF Dreyfus before the week Is out.
Another series OF questions put by M.
Labori concerned Lajoux. a spy formerly In
the service OF the French War Office.
but packed Off TO South America. according
TO various military witnesses, because he
proved a swindler. Labori asked how IL
was. IL that We're so. that Lajoux was still
receiving monthly payments. Commandant
Rollin. completely taken aback, replied that
a cessation OF payments was under consid-
Grafton.
The impression conveyed by Labori's
questions and the replies given was that
Lajcux was being paid by the War Office
TO keep out of the way in the interests of
Esterhazy, whom Laioux. In a letter read
in court offering revelations in the Dreyfus
AFFAIRS. indicated as the real traitor. NJ.
Lsbori's cross-examination in this matter.
therefore. was a distinct advantage TO the
accused. NJ. Labori announced that he in
tended TO recall several witnesses who had
made dispositions during his absence. This
means that MERCER. Roget and others will
be put TO the test OF a severe cross-exam-
ination. To his friends NJ. Labori has ex-
pressed himself confident of being able to
tear 10 pieces the evidence these generals
have given so confidently before a sympa-
thetic tribunal.
Captain Dreyfus to-day pursued the at
tftude he took up yesterday and replied 10
the statements OF hostile witnesses with ar
guments and the presentation Of counter
facts. only once giving way TO his feel
fngs and Offering a cry of protest. This was
at the conclusion OF Colonel Bertin's deposit
tion. VIXEN. with broken voice. the accused
declared his love OF France and the army.
Yes" he cried. Il love France and love
my country. but II is with sentiments diff
ferent from those animating them who
come here to-day 10 testify against me-"
NJ. Labori. IL anything. was better after
his exertions than before them. The excite
ment under which he labored seemed 10
act a. a stimulant. although many friends
noticing his flushed face. feared there might
be q relapse So far from this being the
case, however. he vas able 70 20 for a
drive with his wife in an outo-carriage this