Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-08-18
THE DREYFUs TRIAL.


tered 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 relative to the finding of the
document in the lining of Dreyfus's
waistcoat was then begun. The open
ing Of the proceedings was attended
by sensational incident. On Drey-
fus being shown, by Col. Jonaust, the
document found on the inside of ms
waistcoat by the penitentiary officer,
he admitted keeping it as n souvenir
copy of the bordereau. He owned
to this calmly and without any tremb-
liEg of voice. Then lie listened calm
ly to the reading of Doctor Ransom's
report by Major Cassiere, the prosecu-
tor, which occupied about ten minutes.
De In Roche Vernet, one Of the sec-e-
taries OF the French embassy at Berlin,
was then called. He testified regard
ing the translation of the Panizzardi
dispatch.
A stirring scene closed the days ses-
sion. General MERCER had spoken for
nearly four hours in ruthless denun.
citation of DrevfuS. who had listened
saying If lie had not been convinced
OF the guilt Of Dreyfus and the latter's
conviction had not been certified since
| "a lie would admit he had been mis-.
taken. Dreyfus jumped to his feet rs
though the words had galvanized him
into life and shouted in voice which
resounded through the hall like a
trumpet note: "You have lied, scoun-
drel" The audience burst into n wild
cheer. whereupon the nshers called for
silence; but when MERCER replied he
would admit Dreyfns innocent If there
was any doubt. the prisoner replied:
"Why don't you, .then?" At this there
was another outburst OF applause.
Casimir-Perier then arose and dramat-
icaily demanded to ne con fronted with
MERCER, in order TO deny some Of his
statements. Col. 1ouaust ordered the
court adjourned till Monday morning
| for conformation and rs MERCER turn
ed to leave the court the audience
arose en- masse and Kissed and cursed
him. those ut the back of the court
standing on chairs and benches in or.
der to better hound him down. Ex-
president Casimir-Perier was called
and denied several statements made
by the prosecution. General MERCER.
minister of war in 1894. came next. and
made long monotonous address
against Drevfus. His talk was not
we'll received and was utterly devoid
Of evidence tending to show the guilt
of Dreyfus, although it was a bitter
attack upon the prisoner.
RENNEs, August l5.-Casimer- Perier
yesterday confronted MERCER before
the court-martial He declared Mer'
cier's story as to the imminence OF
war between France and Germany
| grossly exaggerated. He accused
| MERCER of lnsubordination in that he
moved 10000 troops to f'he frontier
without consulting the r. sident. lie
also undertook to shorts he term OF
| service of GO. 600 men wi,Ant consult
| ing him. Little developed during the
conformation to show the guilt or in.
nocence of the prisoner, the ex-presi'
dent mainly endeavoring to discredit
| Mercier's evidence Of the day before.
believed Dreyfus guilty, but gave no
strong reason. He said that General
Picquart Systematically, RS head OF the
| intelligence department, kept back all
new facts favorable to Dreyfns md
stified inquiry. Cavaignac also be-
lieved in the guilt of Dreyfus, because
his accusers were SO entirely in agree
ment in their testimony. Zurlinden
believed likewise.
RENNEs, August 1.-THE request OF
Demange, counsel for Dreyfus, for adj
iournment because Of Labori's absence
was denied. The feature of the day
was the reading of the Official report
of the treatment of Dreyfus on the
Isle du Diable. The deposition 81
Gnerin, former minister Of justice, was
read and the testimony Of Former
Minister ebon was taken. The wild
ow of Colonel Henry and Gen. Roget
were also witnesses and both against
the prisoner. The latter was particu.
larly bitter.
RENNEs, August 1s.-Yester''av was
a Dreyfus day. General Roget re-
sumed his position on the opening OF
the court, dealing with the theft OF
Esterhazy's letters from Nine. Pays.
Demange was evidently primed for
him and number of his shots made
the general squirm in his seat. Roget
was unable to conceal his annoyance
and anger when Dcmange scored him.
His fingers twitched nervously and lie
frequently turned for consultation to-
wards Generals Billot and Znrlinden,
who occupied seats behind him. lie
also threw rlances Of savage resent