Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-24
THE DREYFUS DRAMA
Maitre Labor the Central Figure
in the Court at Rennes.
N. LABORI CORNERS GEN. MERCER.
Highly Dramatic Scene Over the SchneI-
der Letter-Facts Brought Out Con-
corning La Joux. tho spy-Capt
Dreyfus' Attitude.

hennes, Aug @.- Yesterday wa
Maitre Labori's day at the Lycee
where Capt. Dreyfus is standing tria
Z on the charge Of treason. Labori wa.
the central figure Of the scene. A.
the Dreyfus drama unrolled before
crowded court In the forenoon, his tall
viking-like form, draped in long
black gown, bordered with ermine, sit
ting In front of the footlights was the
magnet which, from the moment the
curtain was run open until 1t fell at
noon, drew all regards not merely
Chances OF curiosity, but the steady
gaze OF admiration. His mere presence
brought brightness into the court room
and fresh light into the proceedings
Gems Roget, Bllott, MERCER and
boisdeffre, with the other military
witnesses, gave one another anxious
Chances and put their heads together
70 exchange obviously disagreeable i'm
presslons as Labor piled the smaller
military fry, who occupied the witness
stand successfully yesterday with dis
concerning questions.
Labor cornered MERCER on the
SCHNEIDER letter, which the latter had
used in evidence and which COL Schnei-
der had repudiated as Il forgery. The
general was surprised when Labor
suddenly demanded that NJ. MERCER
DC recalled, Evidently he hoped the
tribunal would support him in refusing
70 explain how he got copy of let.
ter which was of later date than his
lncumbency at the ministry of war.
but Labor was not to be denied. He
insisted that MERCER should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitatinp
MERCER declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching to his
possession Of the document This, as
Labor intended 1t should be, was a de-
OF communication BY the
general staff of part at least of the Sc
cret dossier to an ordinary soldier,
such as MERCER became immediately
on leaving the ministry of war When
Labor had attained his object and
forced confession of grave violation
Of law on the part of Gen. MERCER he
gave a smile Of grave satisfaction and
then added, significantly. 81 shall
nave other questions to put to Gen.
Mercier." The scene was highly
iramatic and made a profound impress
non upon all the spectators.
Gen, MERCER must now be spending !
very miserable time, for as the result G
u this admission, and with the add. 9
.ional charge of communicating secret !
documents to the court-martial of 1894 I
10 is liable to arrest at any moment S
indeed, some people think it not i'm
possible that he will be lying in the y
military prison adjoining the cell Of o
apt. Dreyfus before the week is ont ii
Another series of questionsput by M. $
1abori concerning La Joux, a spy for. v v
nerly in the service of the French war 3,
flee, but packed off to South America e,
ccording to various military witnesses "
ecause he proved swindler. Labor :,
sked how it was If that were SO that NJ !,
"a Joux was still receiving monthly d,
ayments. Commandant Follin, com.
letely taken aback, replied that a ces- p,
alton OF payments was under consid- A. A.
ration. NJ
The impression conveyed by Labori's 70
uestions and the replies given was W
lst La Joux was being paid by the
Or Office to keep out Of the way in the
'terest of Esterhazy, whom La Joux "a
letter read in court offering reyela. IN
'ns In the Dreyfus affair, indicated .,
the real traitor. M. Labori's cross We
in this matter, therefore,
ss distinct advantage to the accused. Sc
N. Labor announced that ha inland. CT