New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-23

tary -attache.
The Government Commissary. Major Carriere
protested against this question. saying that u
referred to affairs OF state. and should not De
answered except behind closed doors.
NJ. Labori pointed out that he had not named
anybody. and Lieutenant Colonel Rollin replied
that he had no knowledge In regard to the trans
lation of the document In question
At this. NJ. Labori called the attention OF the
witness to the cautious nature of his reply and
asked him how the document came into the pos
session OF General Mercier. General Mercier
thought the witness not justified In answer
ing But. in reply to further queries. Mercier
declared that he took the full responsibility for
the translation submitted to the Court.
Thereupon NJ. Labori pointed out that when
the document was produced General MERCER was
no longer Minister OF War and what right. then,
had he 10 have In his possession a document
which was q State secret?
GENERAL MERCER SILENT.
General MERCER did not reply. Counsel then
asked what right had General MERCER to retain
possession OF all the documents in the secret
dossier. and General MERCER still kept silence.
Il am asking for the official responsibility
said NJ. Labor. and make note OF the fact
take all the measures which think proper"
This caused stir in the court, and when coun-
sci added that he would later ask Colonel
Jouaust to recall General Mercer, and would
put numerous questions to him. to which, how
ever he could foresee the General would refuse
to reply. the commotion in the courtroom was
prolonged.
Reverting next to Lieutenant Colonel Rollins
tba firpnp ial
given to the Spy Guenee. NJ. Labori read the
testimony of Guenee before the Court Of Casa
tion pointing out that after such testimony none
of the information which Guenee supplied In
1894 could be maintained against Dreyfus.
Replying to n question as to the character OF
Laioux and the confidence which could be
placed In his statements. General Gonse handed
in a report giving Lajoux the worst possible
character
Dreyfus then made a statement regarding
passage of Rollins testimony referring TO the
searches made in his Oreyfus's) house in 1894.
Everything" said the prisoner was seized
without exception
Colonel Jouaust-Some OF the pages were MISS
ing Of your notes taken at the lectures given by
tine Military College? That has been the subject
Of remark.
Dreyfus-No. Colonel. not IN 1904
NJ FERRETs SLUGGISH MIND.
NJ Ferret an ex-secretary Of the Ministry OF
War. who is alleged to have caught Dreyfus
irving into the work of some Of his fellow ofti-
cers during their absence. testified that toward
the end OF 1893, on returning from his luncheon.
az an hour when the officers were usually out.
he found Dreyfus in the Fourth Bureau, stand
ing with stranger, civilian, at the table.
n document which seemed to the
Witness IN he connected with the transportation
Of troops.
NJ Demange inquired: why did you not give
this testimony in 1S94?'
The witness said that he regretted that no
had overlooked It. Besides. 1t was not his busi-
ness 10 suspect his chiefs.
NJ Demange-The Court will form its own
opinion OF this five years silence.
NJ Labori-When~ did the witness first men
ton these facts?
Ferret do not remember. (Murmurs in the
court)
NJ L,abori-Try. It would be interesting to
have an explanation
Ferret-It was about year ago.
The prisoner protested against such state
ments. which, he said. were nothing but vile
collected by former Nunister'o.
War This caused sensation.
"I never went into my Office" continued Drey-
fus lat any other time than the hours OF duty
declare that it was impossible. or at least
most difficult for a civilian to enter the offices
Of the Ministry of War"
Dreyfus added that while his wife was at
in Normandy, in August or septem-
Der 1894 he happened to go TO his eilice at
noon. though the usual hour was o'clock.
Colonel Jouaust questioned Dreyfus relative TO
his hours of duty and the difficulty Of introduce
Ing a stranger into the Offices. after which Cen
eral Gonse asked for permission to speak in
order to complete his testimony. He said he re-
ceived a letter last evening from NJ. LIE Chate-
Her. Chief Engineer of the Department OF Roads
and Bridges and the General read letter In
which lie Chatelier said;
During six or seven years / had a permit for
the Ministry Of War. and went there at least
hundred times. | did not have TO show my per-
nit more than ten times. on another occasion /
was accompanied by friend who entered with
out any other formality than opening the gate
and sauting the sentry. Naughter)
General Gonse read another letter Of similar
purport and Dreyfus said: The rule was strict.
The letters only prove that certain persons did
not observe IT,"
NJ Demange said: 1T also proves that since
the Ministry of War was so easily entered 9TH
ers besides officers could easily procure infor-
nation"
DREYFUs'S FORMER CHIEF SPEAKS.
Lieutenant Colonel Berth, who was chief Of
Dreyfuss bureau In 1894 followed. He ira
versed the old ground Of Dreyfus's entry into the
department. testified to the prisoners great zeal
at first and said that this later was replaced by
IL, .ofA .aU
I'm face of this" said Berlin, Il gradually
ceased to consider him an assistant. He left an
amount Of uncompleted work Thus.
after devoting much time to initiating him into
the secrets of the concentration Of troops on the
Eastern railway system in time OF war, l did
not receive any service in exchange"
The witness added that the reports he gave
Dreyfus when he left were such that he could
H.. IaLL -. 49,. =.