The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-13
DREYFUS' RETORT TO HERCIER
Continued from First Page)

/ vii ~ III VI H''-''
CONTINUED from First Pa ge) .
PLANTATION tending 10 prove Col schwarz-
/ koppeu was at the head Of t-e German
espionage system IN France. and after
1 ward had The famous letter containing
the words. zee canlile de d. read.
In the meanwhile Dreyfus watched Gen
MERCER through his eyegiass, uut nppaf-
entity quite unmoveL The wiIess who
displayed tho deeI ess interest was n. Cas-
im.r-Perier Seated in front Of a row o
private seats he } Hned forward, with his
hands on his kntfs except when very
excited when he tf,ed his hands In 40
expressive gesture Of disgust or Impa-
tience
Tilt with CHsinir-Perier.
MERCER who had his back turned TO the
former President, saw nothing of this but
after he had CONNECTED his testimony and
had reit,rat all the charges contained
in " Dc 'rmeschevillc's bill Of Indictment.
MERCER % esented document to be read
by the ciel k which proved 70 be the all
leged DreyfIs letter concerning the alleged
engagement entered into with NJ. Casimir-
Perier which. the latter had so hotly de-
nounced. The last word had barely LEFT
the clerks i'm when NJ. Casimir-Perier
jumped up and shouted:
That's the lee-er l read in the newspa-
pers."
Gen. MERCER stan led turned round and
muttered excuses. aging nc did not be-
lieve a President OF the republic would
enter into such an engagement.
To this VI. Casimir-Perier retorted In
tone of the bitterest satcasm
Thank you, general, for this testimo-
NAL"
Dreyfus Beproves Him.
At the end of his evidence Gen. MERCER
said he believed mai the only motive Of
Dreyfus' treason was That Dreyfus had no
leelIng Of patriotism.
This cruel utterance brought forth Kisses
from the audience. whose blood had been
sent up TO fever heat by the witness say
age attacks on Dreyfus
Gen MERCER, not needing The Kisses. ter
minated with remarking "If the least
doubt crossed my mind, gentlemen, ]
would be the hrsJ TO declare it 10 YOU and
say before you; Dreyfus l am mistaken,
but in good faith
Then Dreyfus electrihed his hearers. He
jumped 10 bis feet, as though The words
had galvanized MIN into new Ifc, and
shouted with a voice which resounded
through the hail like a trumpet note:
That is what you ought to say"
The audience burst into a wild cheer,
whereupon the ushers called for silence.
Gen. Mercer then hammered: Il would
come and say: Capt. Dreyfus I was M s.
taken in good faith ara l come with the
same good faith to admit it. and l will
do all in human power to repair the fright
full error
The prisoner then shou1ed: why don't
you then. That is your 1ty.'
At this there was anot her Outburst of
applause
Convictions Were he Same.
Gen. MERCER, after pause when the
excitement had partially ca lmed said;
well no. My convictions since 1894
have not suffered the slis htest weaken
ing. They are fortified by the deepest
study OF the dossier and a lso by the in
anity of the means resorted TO for the
purpose of proving the inn tOcence Of the
condemned man of 1884, in pite of the evil
dence accumulated and I'M spite of the
! millions OF money expended"
Col. Jouaust then said: Have you fin
ished?'
Gen. MERCER replied: yes"
Col. Jouaust then aruounced that the
| sessions of the courtmarJial would be re-
sumed Monday morning.
Wants to Confront Him.
NJ. Casimir- Perier ihereupon rose and
| SAID: After the deposition of Gen. Mer-
cier I shall ask the court TO hear me,
and l would prefer it to be in confrOnta-
| ton with him."
4 This announcement caused, a sensation.
Then followed the thrilling demonstra-
ton against Gen. Mercer.
one newspaper man in court was ar
rested for calling Cen MERCER, as he
passed by him, a murderer. But later on
/ the man was released.
Dreyfus was hurried out by gendarmes,
! who Immediately cleared the court room.
Gen. MERCER. when he had finished his
testimony, according to the general opin-
ion had said really nothing and had prov
ed nothing. The overwhelming proofs ne
was to have thrown down before the mem
bers of the courtmartial like a bombshell
failed to appear, and he left the court dis
| credited.