The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-15

mix me as deeply as possible in this
affair. But I have remained aloof l
affirm, during the progress of the in
vestigation.''
The former then complained of the
incorrect behavior of his subordinate
toward the the Chief Of State. LAS an
instance" said NJ Casimir- Perier,
General MERCER undertook to shorten
the term of service of $4,000 men
without consulting the Chief of State,
thus lacking the respect he should
show the Chief of State.''
M. Casimir- Perier next protested
against the assertion made by General
by the Chief of State in this affair,
whereupon the General interjected that
he had spoken of the attitude assumed
by M. Casimir-Perier because he had
sworn to tell the whole truth.
M. Demange asked General MERCER
if he had explained to the Cabinet how
he reconciled the relations of cause and
effect and the patriotic emotion
aroused by the treason which the COM
munication of the secret documents to
the court martial.
The General repeated his statement
of Saturday as his hypothesis of the
situation
M. Demange asked M. Casimir- Perier
if on the 9th. an understanding had
been reached between France and Ger
many on the subject of Dreyfus.
M. Casimir-Perier replied that before
his interview with the Minister on the
9th the question of Dreyfus had never
been raised between them and Ger
many
M. Demange asked General MERCER
why he had not included in the dossier
of 1894 the doubtful translation of the
telegram of Agent ''B.' to his Govern
ment under the date of November I'd.
In reply General MERCER said not
one of the translations of the telegram
was communicated to the Judges, be-
cause there still existed doubts in his
mind. M. Demange remarked that the
text was communicated to Sandherr,
and that the doubts were impossible
M. Demange asked NJ Paleologue of
the Foreign Office be recalled in order
to state that only single version of
the telegram was given him and he
understood General Mercier's uncer-
tainty was aroused by the receipt of
a semi official draft of the telegram.
At this point Major Carriere. the
representative of the Government,
asked that it be clearly shown that
two versions of the telegram were
given, one official and one semi official
NJ Demange said that in commune
eating the official text on November I'd
Colonel Sandherr emphasized it's Off
cial character.
Consul next asked General MERCER
why the explanations of the secret dos
sier were not included in the dossier
relating to the revision.
The General replied that he consid-
cred these explanations were given for
his personal use. and that was why he
destroyed the document.
At this M. Demange expressed a
sense of establishment, and asked Cen
era1 MERCER if he did not have reasons
for suppressing the document.
The witness repudiated the sugges-
ton.
Dreyfus at this point rose from his
seat and asked leave to explain in re-
gard to the assertion that he had traced
on card the itinerary journey of GER
lain OF the general staff. Fhe itinerary
and journey, he stated. were purely fic-
titieus.
NJ. Casimir-Perier then said he de-
sired to reiterate that he had never
promised anything to Dreyfus, adding
that it was with NJ. Waldeck-Rosseau
alone that he had spoken in regard to
the condemned man. Therefore NJ.
Casimir- Perier reiterated his protests
at the letters of Dreyfus referring to
negotiations.
This caused M. Demange to explain
how Dreyfus came to say that Casimir
Perier had promised him a public trial.
After Demange had asked M Waldeck-
Rosseau to intervene with NJ. Casimir-
Perier Ch&n President of Franco to OBJ
tam publicity, NJ Waldeck- Rousseau
reported that the President appeared
favorable to the suggestion, and coun-
sci, therefore he might communicate
the fact to Dreyfus. NJ. Demange add
ed that it must be remembered that
Dreyfus wrote the letter four years
after the occurrence, and his recollec-
ton naturally lacked precision.
M. Demange expressed regret at the
fact that the letter had been published,
and apologized to M. Casimir- Perier,
preston of regret and explanation.
General Billot, former Minister of
War, was the next witness He was in
uniform. sat with crossed legs and gave
his evidence in a conversational man
ner. He said he would be II years old
tomorrow. Like everybody else, he
added that he had some knowledge of
the Dreyfus affair before taking the
War portfolio.
In the early days of his administra-
ton, the witness continued, M. Scheur-
err Kestner Ga former Vice President OF
the Senate) asked him whether he ought
not to investigate the Dreyfus affair.
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner, the General
pointed out, had made similar repre-
sensations to NJ. Defreycinet, and got
the same reply from both that neither
of them were very conversant with the
affair."
General Billot dwelt at length upon
the action taken by M. Scheurer- Kest-
ner. to whom he recommended pru-
dence
M. Scheurer- Kestner finally COM
municated to General Billot his con-
viction of the innocence of Dreyfus,
but the General found the evidence in
sufficient and asked him to investigate
the matter further.
The General dealt with the role of
Colonel Picquart, who, he said, he
holds in the highest esteem.
He is intelligent" said General
Billot, land gave me valuable informa-
ton about the organization of a neigh
boring army and it's artillery. This in
formation showed the necessity of con-
tinuing the reforms in our artillery