The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-15

Rennes, Aug. 1.-THE Dreyfus court
martial reconvened at 740 o'clock this
morning. Maitre Demange, counsel for
Dreyfus, announced that though NJ.
Labori's wound was less serious than
at first supposed, it would be impos-
sible for him to take part in the pro-
cedings.
There was an eager struggle for seats
in court to-day, and $40 We're seated.
There Were the usual military hOnors.
Immediately after the prisoner arrived
the president announced that in conse-
quence of the applause and other en-
pressions of opinion on Saturday. he
had decided that if there was any
further interruption the court would
be cleared. During the adjournment of
the court. in consequence of the an
nouncement of the attempt on the life
of NJ. Labori. the audience engaged in
violent alterations over the incident
NJ. Mercier. editor of the Gaulois, ex-
pressed the opinion that all the news
papers ought to regard themselves as
responsible for the outrage, whereupon
NJ. Savarrne loudly protested, saying:
mo: it is you who should be held re-
sponsible for what has happened
The clamor finally became so violent
that gendarmes were forced to separate
the combatants and take away the
/ sticks of all those present, but calm
was finally restored and the session was
resumed, as already cabled.
General Billot's expressions of esteem
for Colonel Picquart and NJ. Scheurer-
| Kestner came as surprise. He only
| raised his voice when he explained that
| he sent the colonel to Tunis owing to
| his meddling in matters foreign to his
| duties, but he insisted on giving Col
| onel Picquart a mission of danger. and
| at the same time entrusted him with
| a post of honor.
| NJ Cavaignac gave his testimony in
| an oratorical manner with marked In
tonation. and in the way he might have
| delivered speech in the chamber Of
| deputies. He maintained his belief in
| the truth of the confessions OF Dreyfus,
| and contended that his ON Cavaig-
nac's) attitude throughout was that of
| a statesman.
UnfavorabIe Impression.
Dreyfus did not create a very favor
able impression when, at the conc.u-
sion of NJ Cavaignac's testimony, he
was asked if he had anything to say.
The prisoner replied in n d"clama:ory
fashion, with his hand on his heart,
that the court of cessation had already
disposed of NJ. Cavaignac's arguments.
The speech of NJ. Cavaigaac, however,
certainly appeared to make an impress
sion on his hearers.
During the short suspension of the
sitting of the court NJ. Jaurs, the So
cialist leader who was in court. re-
Paris had for their object to forestall
a St. Bartholomew massacre of the
Dreyfusites and that the attempted
murder of NJ. Labori at Rennes was
one of the scattered acts of the project
ed massacre. DreyfuS must undoubt-
edly have been profoundly moved in
the attack on his champion. who, for
all he knew. might be dead or dying,
| but he maintained the same impassi-
bility as hitherto and did not give in
court the slightest indication Of his
emotions.
The dispositions of General Zurlin-
| den, Chamoine and NJ. HanotauX were
| listened to closely, but the session was
utterly devoid of any exciting incident.
the mass of testimony being directed
against 'Dreyfus and the lack of tlercE-
ant criticism owing to the absence OF
the defense's right arm. naturally left
an impression unfavorable to ne pris-
oner.
General MERCER was acclaimed on
leaving the court and NJ. CaSimir- Per
ier was greeted with cheers and CCur-
ter cheers for the army. The ganG-
armes dispersed the most noisy dem
onstrators. but there was no serious
disorder.
General Mercier was recalled to the
witness stand at the opening of the
days proceedings.
General Mercier and eX-President
Casimir-Perier were the first on tn
stand in the Dreyfus trial. They were
followed by CaVaignaC and HanotauX.
former ministers Of foreign affairs.
after which court adjourned at noon
until Wednesday.
When the court martial resumed,
Mercier was confronted with Casimlr-
Perier. former president of France.
the mminence of war between Ger
many and France in 1894 was grossly
exaggerated, and complained Of the ac-
ton of the then minister of war (Mer-
cier) in moving 10000 troops to the
frontier without consulting him. AS 1t
was LobOri's task to take MERCER in
hand and Demanga, associate counsel
was quite unprepared for the task, the
few questions the latter put were plac-
tically of little effect, and Mercier ts-
capped cheaply. Moreover Demange
| was deeply affected by the attempt to
assassnate his colleague and was
quite unable to do himself justice. De-