The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-12
IN OPEN SESSION
Public Trial of Dreyfus Is Re-
sumed Today.
Prisoner Admits Authenticity
of a Document
FOUND IN HIS VEST.
Authorities at Paris Discover
Another Plot.
Make Many Arrests, Including
Paul DerOulede.
FOUND IN HIS VEST.

Rennes. Aug. 12.-The red and white
facade of the Lycee was bathed IN sun
shine at 6 o'clock this morning when
CAPT Dreyfus crossed the Avenue De
la Care and entered the building for the
second public session of his trial by
court martial. The same stringent po-
lice precautions were taken; but barely
20 persons had gathered to witness his
crossing.
Col. JOuaust, president of the court
martial and the other judges began ar
irving shortly after 6 o'clock They
were followed by Generals Billot and
Mercier, in uniform. The latter drove
up in an open carriage; and the small
crowd which had gathered by this time
greeted him with cries of''Vive larmee'
and ''Vive Mercier."
On aHghting at the door of the L.ycee
Gen. Mercier looked very anxious put
Immediately assumed a smiling demea-
nor. He spoke a few words to the ofn-
GERS at the gate and laughed, but ms
laugh sounded false and his face as he
ascended the half dozen steps and DIS
appeared within the Lycee took on an
expression of anxiety.
NJ Casimir-Perier arrived on foot
shortly afterwards.
The crowd saluted him. Then came
Col Picquart who was greeted with
shouts OF ''Vive Picquart," which he
smilingly acknowledged.
lne session opened at O-0u VIII pre-
cisely the same formalities as on Mon
day. Captain Dreyfus entered with the
same quick, jerky step His features
were pale and rigid. He took seat
upon the platform; and the reading to
the court Of DR.. RansOm's report rela-
tive to the finding of a document in the
lining of Dreyfus' waistcoat was then
begun
A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT.
The opening of the proceedings was
attended by a sensational incident. On
Dreyfus being shown by Col JOuaust
the document found in the lining of his
waistcoat by a penitentiary officer, he
admitted keeping it as a souvenir copy
of the bOrdereau. He owned to this
calmly and without any trembling of
the voice. Then he listened calmly to
the reading of Dr. Ransom's report by
Major Cassiere, the prosecutor whicn
occupied about ten minutes.
NJ De La ROche-Vernet, one of the
secretaries of the French EN- mbaSsy at
Berlin was then called. He is a man
about 50 years of age, with a heavy
brown mustache and was smartly
dressed. He testified regarding the
translation of the Panizzardi dispatch
MERCER IS KISSED.
A stirring scene closed today's session
of the Dreyfus trial. Gen Mercier had
spoken nearly four hours in ruthless
denunciatiOn of Dreyfus, who had lis
tened unmOved until Mercier concluded
by saying that if he had not been con-
WINGED of the guilt of Dreyfus and if the
5
fed since 1894, he would admit he had
been mistaken
Dreyfus jumped to his feet as though
the words had galvanized him into life
and shouted in a voice which resounded
through the hall like a trumpet note:
You have lied, scOundrel.'
The audience burst into wild cheer,
Whereupon the ushers called for silence.
But when Mercier replied that he would
admit Dreyfus was innocent if there
was any doubt, the prisoner shouted
again: why don't you then2"
AT this there was another Outburst of
applause
maticany demanded to be confronted
of his statements.
Col Jouaust ordered the court to be
adjourned until Monday at $50 a. m
turned to leave the court the audience
him, those at the back of the court
standing on chairs and benches in or
der to better hound him down.
The gendarmes placed themselves be-
tween the general and the audience
maltreat the former minister of war.
Gen Mercier hurried out of the
court room through a side door, amid
fierce denunciations from the audience.
Upon emerging into the street the
'Nive Parme." "Ah,'' cried a spectator
the inhuman monster speak they would