The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-23
GENERAL MERCER CORNERED
BY the Distinguished Counsel in
Regard to Forged Letter Of
Colonel Schneider.
A HIGHLY DRAMATIC SCENE.
Many Witnesses Tripped up by
the Pcrsplcacity OF NJ. Labori.
Damaging Admissions.


RENNEs, August 22.-To-day was
MaItrc Laborrs day at the Lycee,
where Captain Alfred Dreyfus Is stand
Ing trial on the charge Of treason. La
porl was the central figure of the scene.
As the Dreyfus drama unroIled before
a crowded court room this forenoon. his
tall. vIklng-Ilke form, draped in a long
black gown, bordered with ermlne,
sitting in front OF the footllghts, was
the magnet which from the moment the
curtain was rung up until 1t fell at noon
drew all regards, not merely glances Of
curiosity, but the steady gaze Of admir-
alton. His mere presence brought
brightness into the court room and
fresh light into the proceedings.
Lnborl did what people expected, He
galvanized the dormant defense into
an active. living thing. NJ. Demange is
eOnc!llatory. He has always seemed to
tear to tread on the military corn. La
bor! 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. Demnnge found
nothing to ask a witness, NJ. Labori's
quick eye discovered weak spots, and
he came forward with searching ques-
uous. He opened to-day with an elo-
Queut speech, and the audience could
have listened for an hour to his rich,
melodIous voice, modulated tones and
then impassioned outbursts, accompan-
led by energetic and speaking gestures.
Generals Roget, Blllot, Mercier and
de BoIsdefrre, with the other military
witnesses. gave one another quick
gances, and put their heads together to
exchange obviously dlsagreeable Inn
pressIons as Labori piled the smaller
military fry, who occupied the witness
stand successlvely to-day, with dIscon-
certing questions.
NTcrcicr COrncred.
Laborl cornered General MercIer on
the Schneider letter. which the latter
had used in evidence. and which Colonel
Schneider had repudlated as u forgery,
The general was surprised when La-
borl suddenly demanded TINT General
Mercler be recalled, Evidently he
hoped the tribunal would support him
In refusing to explain how he got
copy ot a letter, which was Of later
date than his lncumbency at the min
istry Of war.
But Laborl was not to be denied. He
Insisted that Mercier should give somC
explanation. Then, after hesltatlns
Mercler declared he would assume al
the responsibility attaching to his pos
session Of the document This, n'
Laboi intended It should be, was
demonstration Of communication by tht
general stan, OF at least OF the seerei
doss!er. to an ordinary stan soldier
such as Mcrcler became Immediately OF
leaving the ministry Of war. Wher
Labori had attained his object anC
forced a concession OF grave violation
Of law on the part OF General Mercler
he gave n smile OF grim satisfaction
and then added, significantly: 81 shal
have other questions to put to Genera
Narcler." The scene was highly dra
matte, and made u profund impression
upon all the spectators.
In a Bad Box.
General Mercler must be now spend
Ing a very miserable evening, for n
the result OF this admission. and Will
the additional charge of communication
secret documents to the court martin
Of 1894, he is liable to arrest at an!
moment. Indeed. some people think
not Impossible that he will be lying Il
the military prison adjoining the Gel
OF Captain Dreyfus before the weeI
IS out.
Another series OF questions put by NJ
I.abori concerned Lnjoux. Spy for
mcrly In the service OF the French wa
oGcc, but packed on to South America
according to military witnesses becaus
he proved swIndler
Laborl asked how 1t was, II thn
were 30. that Lajoux was SIN receiv
Ing monthly payments.
Commandnnt Rollins. completely tn
ken aback, replied that a cessation q
payments was under consideration.
The Impression conveyed by LaborI
questions and the replies given was this
lnIoux was being paid by the war OF
Zee to keep out OF the way In the II
terfst Of EsterhaEy, whom lajoux,
n letter read in court. offering rcvelC
TONS in the Dreyfus affair indicate
AZ tho real traitor. NJ. Lapori's croi
crmlnntion In this matter therefor
WaH distinct advantage to the n'
turnl.
u. Labor announced that he lntenC
Cd to pcall several witnesses who hn
made dcpositions during his absenc
This means that Mcrcicr. Roget an
others will be put to the test OF scvei
Cross examination.
To his friends. n, Labori has %
areEscd himself confident OF being alb