The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-13

concerning Germany on the subject OF
Captain Lebrun- Renaud's statement
that Dreyfus had confessed to him."
= The witness said emphatically he
never had from Captain Lebrun-R
maud any communication relative to
the confession.
Demange then introduced the letter
in question which the nti-Dreyfusards
asserted Dreyfus wrote to President
Casimir- Perier and in which it was
claimed he spoke of engagements en-
tered into by Casimir- -Perfer respecting
him. The witness emphatically replied
he had never entered into any such en-
gagement as alleged and he asked that
the letter should be produced in court
and that the whole matter be cleared
up.
Jousaust then asked Dreyfus If he had
anything to say. Thereupon the pris-
oner arose and accompanying his ut
terances with gestures of his right
hand, said:
My words have certainly been dis
torted. for I have no recollection of
such letter. The words the former
president of the republic has just ut
tered the exact. I have never even in my
mind supposed there was any engage
ment undertaken by him NJ. Dpmange
told me at the time of the trial in con-
veying through M. Waldeck -Rosseau
my request for public trial. that this
public trial would only be on condition
that the question of the origin of the
documents remained secret, | gave my
word of honr not to raise this question
and in that l bow before the superior
interests of my country In my mind
it was with the war department and
not with the president of the republic
that word of honor was given. l never
had an idea that an engagement was
made between the president and my
self. Never, never"
Jousaust-Then you declare false
these letters in which it is said the
president of the republic entered into
certain engagements with you?
Dreyfus-In any case the sense has
leen completely distorted.
Casimir- Perier gave his evidence with
blanched face, but in the determined
tone of a man who maintains every
word uttered This evluently inspired
confidence in his statement by members
of the court martial, who listened to
him respectfully.
General Mercier then entered the
court room and was conducted to the
witness stand by soldier He lifted
his right hand before the crucifiX and
swore to tell the whole truth. He ap
peared to be in broken health. He
spoke with a hoarse voice. coughed fire.
quently and asked to be allowed to be
Stdltu 'ItHtIdl MtltI.l was dblibu III
the undress uniform of a general; a
black tunic and red trousers.
Mercier on the Stand.
His testimony lasted from $40 O'Clock
until noon. He leaned forward while
speaking his hand sometimes resting
on the rail, but more often he was
nervously twitching his fingers and
twisting a pair of white gloves which
he doffed on entering the court. He
accompanied his remarks with con-
tinual nodding of the head. To a
stranger his appearance and bearing
produced far FROM ii favorable effect.
He gave she impression of stiffness;
his forehead was wrinkled. his eye
brows were contracted and his eyes
peered through Sits between puffy eye
lids. His cheeks were sallow and he
spoke almost inaudibly.
General MERCER wore on his breast
the decoration of grand officer of the
Legion of Honor. While he was under
examination General Mercier asked
Colonel Jousaust to allow him to pre-
sent a. document showing how an es-
pionage system was organized in
France by Colonel Schwartskoppen, the
former German military attache at
Paris. The document referred to the
fortifications Of the Meuse.
General Mercier then entered into an
II
koppen was at the head Of the Ger
man espionage in France and after
ward had the favored letter contain
ing the words "Cette canaille de
D." read.
In the meanwhile Dreyfus watched
Mercier through his eye glasses, but
apparently quite unmoved. The wit
ness who displayed the deepest inter-
est was NJ. Casimir-Perier, seated in
front of a row of private seats. He
leaned forward with his hands on his
knees, except when very excited, when
he lifted his hands up in an express
sive gesture of disgust or impatience.
NJ Mercier, who had his back turned to
the former president, saw nothing of
this, but after he had completed his
testimony and had reiterated all the
charges contained in NJ. d'Ormesche-
velle's bill of Indictment. Mercier pre-
sented document to be read by the
clerk. which proved to be the alleged
Dreyfus letter concerning the alleged
engagement entered into with NJ. cas-
imir- Perier, which the latter had so
hotly denounced The last breath had
barely left the clerks lips when NJ.
Casimir-Perier jumped up and shout
ed:
Casmir-Perier Excited.
THAT is the letter l read in the
newspapers"
General MERCER, startled, turned
around and muttered excuses, saying
he did not believe a president of the
republic would enter into such an en-
gagement.
To this NJ Casimir-Perie retorted
in tones of bitterest sarcasm: Thank
you, general for this testimonial"
At the end of his evidence General
.Mercier said he believed the only mo-
tive of Dreyfus' treason was that Drey
fus had no feeling of patriotism. This
cruel utterance brought forth Kisses
from the audience. whose blood had
been sent up to fever heat by the
witness savage attacks on DreYfus.
General Mercier needing the Kisses.
terminated with remarking:
IF the least doubt crossed my mind,
gentlemen, | would be the first to de-
clare it to you. and say before you, to
Captain Dreyfus: 1 am mistaken. but
in good faith
Then Dreyfus electrified his hearers.
He jumped to his feet as though the
words had galvanized him into new life.
and shouted with a voice which rang
thrOughOut the hall like a trumnet