The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-11
Tomorrow the Most Important Day
Of Dreyfus Trial.
GEN. MERCER TO TESTIFY
STRONGEST WITNESS AGAINST
THE PRISONER.
1t Is Upon His Evidence That Anti
Dreyfusites Expect to Secure Con-
viction-Counsel of Defense De-
clare Their Intention to Tear His
Testimony to Pieces.

Rennes, Aug. 10.-The members of
the Dreyfus court-martial today took
the testimony of MN. Chamoin and Pa
loologue. The former was examined
from $50 to $3.50 and the latter was on
the stand from $50 to Has a. m, when
the court adjourned until tomorrow,
when it Will conclude the examination
of the secret dossier.
Colonel Jouaust, president of the
court martial, on leaving the court to-
day, said Il public session would take
place Saturday.
The police adopted the same methods
of precaution as yesterday, and there
was only the smallest gathering of
spectators. Captain Dreyfus was al
lowed to walk TO and fro from the Ly-
Gee without his usual escort of four or
SIX gendarmeS- Only Il captain of gen.
darmes was with him. and this officer
walked few steps behind the prisoner.
Maitre Demange, the principal coun-
sci for Captain DreyfuS, in an interview
after today's session with a representa-
tive of the Associated Press expressed
himself as very well contented with the
way in which matters are proceeding,
and, judging from his manner. one may
say that the defenders of the accused
have not yet met anything very sur
sier.
Dreyfus' Counsel Satisfied.
Naturally, NJ Demange declined to
give any particulars respecting the
contents of the dossier, but he declared
that he and his colleague. NJ. Labor,
were satisfied of the conscientious de-
sire of the members of the court TO
thresh the whole matter out and to
have full light turned upon the accusa-
lions against their client.
This will take some time. and the
end of the month will be reached before
judgment can be given Meanwhile. the
strain is telling on Dreyfus, who is
showing physical distress.
Saturdays public session will be a
veritable field day, probably the most
exciting day of the whole trial, as Gen
eral MERCER and NJ. Casimir-Perier
have been cited to give their testimony
then.
The first witness will be Lieutenant
Colonel de la Roche Vernot French
military attache in Berlin at the time
of the arrest of Dreyfus. His evidence,
it IS expected. will be soon disposed of,
and then General MERCER viii be
called.
Dramatic Scene Expected.
A dramatic scene is anticipated by
the anti-Dreyfusites, who rely upon
him to throw bomDShell ana conlouhd
the accused once for ali. His words:
Il have complete proofs of the guilt of
Dreyfus," are remembered. and both
sides are waiting for him TO prove his
statement.
The Dreyfusites believe that his tes-
timony will be torn to pieces by NM.
Labor and Demange, and that he Will
leave the court utterly discredited.
Captain Dreyfus will have the right
to question him, and it is expected that
the latter's REORGANIZATION of Mer-
cier will prove the climax of the whole
proceedings.
Former President Cassimer-Perir will
follow, if possible. the same day, but
it is doubtful whether his examination
will be concluded before court adjourns
until Monday.
There will be no session on Tuesday,
that being Assumption day.