Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-13

the republic that the word of honor
was given. 1 never had an idea that
an cnSaseTnent was made between tho
President and myself. Never! Never,
Never!
Jouaust: Then you declare false
tneSe letters, in which 1t Is said the
PRESIDENT of the republic entered into
certain ENGAGEMENTS with you?"
Dreyfus replied: I'm any case tho
sense has been completely DESTROYED
| NJ. Casimir-Perier gave his evidence
with banched face. but in tho de-
termined tone OF man who main
tains every word uttered. which in
spired confidence in his words.
! The members of the commemorative,
listened to him respectfully.
MERCER APPEARS.
When his testimony was ondad NJ
| Casimir-Perier was conducted back to
his seat by IL non-commissioned officer
ana all eyes were directed towards a
| door to the right. There was n mo
ment OF painful suspense. and then
room. and was conducted 70 Tho witness
stand by soldier. He lifted his right
hand before the crucifix and swore IN
zen the whoie truth. The witness APP
Pearcd to be In broken health. He
spoke in hoarsc voice. couphed fro
puehtly. and asked to be allowed to be
seated. ~
Merc!er was attircd in the undrcse
uniform of a General, black tunic and
red trousers.
THE EFFECT PRODUCED.
on Il stranger his appearance and
bearing produced far from favorable
effect. He gave the impression of shift
mess, his forehead was wrinlllnd his
eyebrows were contracted, and his ewes
Pcereu through Sits between his puff
eyelidS. His checks were sallow and he
| spoke almost inaudibly and in n weak
nlOnDtnnOllS ,..l1i
soporonc effect upon those who were
hot able to distinguish his words. but
were within hearing OF his voice This
hohoioSue, with hardly Il break except
Mhen me clerk read the various docu-
ihents Mercier presented TO the court
lasted nearly four hours, with ten
minutes suspension at IL o'clock. when
tncrc was a general feeling that the
1 WIthcss was going to prove. the
oreEiuSardS predicted. an utter tiasco
General MERCER wore on his breast
inc decoration of Grand officer of the
Legion OF Honor
GERMAN OFFICER ACCUSED.
While he was under examination
General MERCER asked Colonel Jouaust
10 allow him to present document
showing how an espionage system was
organized in France by Colonel
Schwarzekoppen. the former German
military attachc nj Paris. The docu-
ment referred to the fortificat tons of
the Mouse.
General MERCER then entered into an
explanation tending to prove Schwar-
2ckoppcn was at the head of the Ger
mai espionage system in France. and
afterwards had the famous letter con-
tanning the words "Cette canaillc de
d. read
WATCHED BY DREYFUs.
In the meanwhile Dreyfus watched
MERCER through his eyeglasses but
apparently quite unmovcd The wit
ness VINO displayed the deepest interest
was NJ. Casimer- Perier. Seated in front
OF row of private seats, he leaned
forward with his hands on his knees
except when very excited when he lift
ed his hands in an expressive gesture of
disgust or Impotence.
ALLEGED DREYFUS LETTER.
MERCER. who mad his back turned to
the former President. saw nothing of
/ this. but after he had completed his
! testimony ana had reiterated all the
/ charges contained in NJ. d'Ormesche-
villc's bin of Indictment. MERCER pre-
scented document to be read by the
clerk. which proved to he the alleged
Drcytus letter concerning the alleged
engagement entered into with NJ. CAST
ncr-P erier which the latter had so
! holly denounced. The last word had
barely left the clerks lips when NJ
/ Cashier Perier jumped up and shout
| ed:
That's the letter read in the news
| papers,
\ STAMMERED REPLY.
! General MERCER then stammered:
| Il would come and say: 'Captain
! Dreyfus, / was mistaken in good faith
and | come with the same good faith
to admi, it. and will do all in human
! power 10 repair the frightful error"
Tho prisoner then shouted:
Why don't you. then. That is your
duty"
Al this there was another outburst OF
applause.
General MERCER. after n pause. when
the excitement had partially Gained.
said:
Well. no. My convictions since 1924
have not suffered the slightest weak
cning Ii Isl fortified by the deepest
study of the dossier. and also by the
inanty of the means rcsoried TO for the
purpose of proving the innocence of the
condemned man of 1884. in spite of the
evidence accumulated. and in spite of
the millions of money expended"
Colonel Jouaust then said:
Have YOU fnished?"
General MERCER replied:
Yes"
Colonel Jouaust then announced that
The sessions OF the court-mariiaI
would he resumed Monday morning
y SENSATION.
said:
After tho deposition OF General Mer-
cicr shall ask the court 10 hear me.
and would prefer it to be in con-
formation with him"
This announcement caused scnsa-
ton.
straiion against General MERCER.
one pew Sp1 ppr man n >O,,rt ,y,-