The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-25
TIE DREYRIS TRIAL
Marked by Most Exciting Scenes
s-~: in the Proceedings. -
GEN. MEROIER IN A BAD LIGHT.
Disposition of the President of tho
Court Martial to Favor witnesses
Hostile to the Accused Omcer Makes
M. Labori Indignant. q

|
Hostile to the Accused Oficer Makes
M. Labori Indignant.
Rennes, Aug. 25.--The session Of the
Dreyfus court martial yesterday was
marked by one of the most exciting
scenes of the trial. The proceedings
opened with skirmish entirely favor
able to the defense over Colonel Maui
rel, president of the court martial of
1894, who admitted reading one of the
secret documents to the court which
had not been seen by the defense. He
protested that only one document was
loked at, alleging that this sufficed to
enable him to form conviction that
| could not be shaken.
This protest made matters worse,
because, as M. Laborl pointed out. II
he persued one it was his bounded
duty to peruse all. Colonel Jouaust
upheld Colonel Maurel In his refusal to
indicate the nature of the document he
read but M. Labori announced that lie
would summon Captain Freystatter,
another member of the tribunal Of 1894.
and get his version of what then passed
behind the backs of the counsel for
the defense. Colonel Maurel felt his
position keenly, and continually hesi-
tated before replying to Labori's ques-
tions.
All this, however, was only prelimi-
nary to a fierce battle that ensued be-
: tween Labori and General Mercier, the
latter receiving reinforcements from
General Roget, General Gonse and Gen.
eral De Boisdeffre. as well as invalu-
able assistance from Colonel Jouaust
himself. M. Labori took General Mer-
cier over the whole ground of his pre-
vious deposition. This led to several
sharp passages at arms between the
advocate and Colonel Jouaust, who up
held Mercier in refusing to reply to
several questions which in the gem
eral opinion Of those in the court room,
were distinctly pertinent. Whenever
General Mercier was cornered he de-
clined to answer and Colonel Jouaust
invariably supported him. NJ Labori
protested most energetically. His
words and manner breathed the deep
est indignation, but the president Of
the court martial was infexible
The Intervention of Generals Gonse.
Roget and De Boisdeffre and Major
Lauth. who in rapid succession mount
ed the stage or rose in their seats and
interposed remarks, was very exciting,
and carried the spectators along on a
wave of breathless interest. One after
the other these officers, who were In
full uniform, would jump up and cry
81 demand to b, heard" and without
further waiting, ascend the steps of
the platform and begin statement in
support of brother officer. Sometimes
four officers were on the stage at the
same moment. 1t was marvellous dis
play of military clannishness. At one
time a perfect babel Of voices reigned
for several minutes until Colonel Jou-
aust interviewed and restored order.
NJ Iabori's cross-examination was
successful so far as it went. but COL
onel Jouaust prevented him pressing
his advantages to the utmost In fact
Jouausts hostile attitude toward the
counsel for the defense then and during
the cross examination of the witness
NJ De Grandmalson evoked the sever
est criticism on the part of the public
present and bodies i'll for Dreyfus. Not
only Colonel Jouaust, but the other
judges, displayed considerable Inn
patience during Laboris scathing
cross-examination. shifting restlessly
in their seats and drumming the table
with the tips Of their fingers.
General Mercier faced Labori's fire
with callous demeanor, standing on the
platform. his hands behind his back
and his face only half turned toward
his questioner. Once or twice a savage
look In the eyes, an elevation In the
tone and swayins to and fro Of the !
body revealed the inner fires Of re.
sentiment
General Roget faced the court with
an air of unblushing effrontery. His
handsome, but unsympathetic features
expressed the btterest scorn. as he
spun round on his heel and with arms
crossed faced Labori or the audience
or the judges. His impertlnent be-
havior was strikingly illustrated when
he interrupted M. Laborl's examination
of General Chamoin, which had result
ed in Laboris scoring heavily against
Mercier, with the exclamation: "This
is waste of time"
As matter of fact the examination
Of Chamoin showed Mercier in very
bad light, as it brought out that he had
pl Nutoly W SAuAAolhs
On the first day Of the secret sessions.
a report on the Panizzardi dispatch for
insertion in the secret dossier General
Chamoin admitted that he did wrong
in accepting the report, but pleaded
ignorance in judicial matters.
M. Labori brought General Mercier
to the bar in reference to this Mercier
that the reports emanated I
from Du Patty de Clam, but claimed
hat he himself did not understand its
contents, though he thought 1t would
be interesting and perhaps useful to
Chamon. This explanation was re-
yarded as very lame. and, combined
with other shady actions. would damn
Mercier as witness in the eyes of any
impartial tribunal.
General MERCER protested against
he lawyers manner, saying he was
lOt the accused.
what do you want of me?" de-
nanded Labcri in anger
Yes, and what do you want of me?"
'etorted MERCER blazing with wrath.
1t was an exciting moment, and tho
audience jumped to its feet.
Labori asked Mercier If he ordered
he secret dossier to be presented at
he first court martial.
Yes" replied Mercier, Il take tho
'ntire responsibility.
A new witness in the trial was called
yesterday, at the request of NJ. Labori
famed George Leloir. l.eloir said he
Inew the BodsOns at whose house
)reyfus, according to the testimony of
De Beaurepaire witness yesterday,
dotted with a German officer M and