The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-22

l sisted asking W1oSG UuSlH6SS II WdSs
Finally NJ Labor asked Colonel
Jouaust to request General MERCER to
explain. The General rose and said he
declined to answer. NJ Labor insisted
emphatically, but MERCER still refused to
answer and Major Carriere, the Govern
ment Commissary, supported him, on the
ground that the examination was enter
ing upon a matter which ought not, in
| the interest of the country, to be discuss
| ed publicly.
M. Labor then declared in a loud voice
that he would reserve to himself the right
| to take the necessary measures to obtain
| the desired information. The next point
was made by Dreyfus, in his reply to
Major Rollin. The latter had remarked
that all the prisoners papers were seized
when his rooms were searched in 1894 and
Colonel Jouatst said that certain papers
from his text book, the School of War
were found missing. To this the prisoner
retorted:-
.Not in 1894, my Colonel"
This caused some sensation, as the OBJ
yious Interpretation was that the pages
were torn out at the War Office, and that
then the fact was used against him as an
insinuation that he had communicated
the missing pages to foreign agents.
| A porter of the War Office, named Fer
ret next testified to seeing Dreyfus pry-
ing into other officers work during their
absence and the prisoner replied, excited
| " that Ferret's statements were
corrections by a former Minister Of War.
which caused a sensation. Then in
cooler manner. the prisoner made state
ment explaining the difficulties IN the
waV of a civilian such as Ferret, enter
ing the offices of the General Staff
General Gonse. thereupon, presented
two letters to the effect that the writer's,
botn Of whom were civilians, optainea
easv admittance TO the Offices
| Here nrsyfus retorted smartly that the
regulations were most strict in this re-
znect and that, therefore, some persons
were guilty of gross breach of discipline
and NJ. Deinange scored by adding tnat Il
entry in these offices was so easy, why,
anybody could procure the information
Dreyfus was alleged to have obtained so
surreptitiously.
Ideutenant-Colonel Bertin, who was the
head of Dreyfus' Office in 1894, the next
witness, showed himself to be a most
viruIent enemy of the prisoner he hao
evidently learned his testimony by heart,
and declared it in strident, aggressive
tone. which grated upon the ears or the
audience Some of his remarks, particu-
larly his declaration that he was con-
vinced of Dreyfus' guilt by NJ. Bertilions
chart and his introduction of Esterhazy
statements as evidence against Dreyfus'
elected general smiles in court
Lieutenant Colonel Bertin's testimony
was concluded with a passage at arms
between him and M. Labori The latter
declared that Berth himself, by remarks
which he had make upon a certain occa-
sion. convinced the lawyer of the inno-
cence of Dreyfus.
Counsel then recalled other words used
by Bertin to, the effect that NJ. Demange
was counsel for the German Embassy be-
cause he had defended others accused of
espionage.
The witness admitted the correctness OF
NJ Labors quotation whereupon M.
Demange jumped up and protested against
lieutenant Colonel Bertins statement
sharp words were exchanged until Col
onel Jouaust intervened and refused to
allow any further discussion outside the
case.
Several minor witnesses followed.
Lieutenant Colonel Jeannel repeated evil.
dence which he had given before the
Court of Cessation. He was very hard on
Dreyfus. but while testifying he scarcely
once looked the prisoner in the face
The last witness of the day, Captain
Maistre read a letter from an officer, now
at Nantes, affirming that while he was
on the Generals Staff as probationer, at
the same time as Dreyfus, the latter told
the officer of his visit to AIsaee-Lorraine
and recounted how he had followed the
German Army manoeuvres on foot and on
horseback.
This was intended to show Dreyfus was
not telling the truth when he denied hav-
ing been present at any time at the man
oeuvres at Alsace-Lorraine
Another part of Captain Maistre's evil
dence proved to be in favor of Dreyfus.
In contradiction of other witnesses who
declared Dreyfus frequently stayed late
at the office prying into other officers
duties, Captain Maistre declared today
that Dreyfus was disinclined to work and
often left the offices before the regular
time.
The prisoner, in the tone Of calm mod
Grafton which, today again distinguished
his utterances, replied to Captain Mais-
tres allegations and added with refer
ence to NJ Beaurepaires accusations,
that the latter's immortality would
long be demonstrated before the court
martial The court then rose for the day.
Maitre Labori was Immediately sur
rounded by friends, nearly every ore IN
court wishing to shake hands with him.
He was cheerful and smiling, and had
few well chosen words for everyone.
Madame Labori shared in the admira-
tion expressed for her husband.
The brilliant lawyer returned home In
carriage as he had come with an es-
eort of two mounted gendarmes Police
men. gendarmes and detectives were also
distributed along the road. as precau-
tion against a fresh outrage.
Apart from the salutations from his
nersonaI friends, there was no demonstra-
tiau while M. Labori was either going TO
or coming from the Lycee:
Following are the proceedings IN detail.
The President of the Court, Colonel
Jouaust. ON taking his seat. turned TO
Maitre Labor, and, amid impressive
silence. read an address as follows:-
s.AlIow me, Maitre Labori, to express to
YOU the unanimous sentiments Of the
court martial at the odious attempt to
which you nearly fell a victim. This un-
speakable act has excited everywhere,
especially among the members of the
court martial, the keenest Indignation.