The Iola register., 1899-08-25
THE DREYFUS DRAMA
Maitre Labori the Central Figure
in the Court at Rennes.
M. LABORI CORNERS GEN. MERCER.
A Highly Dramatic Scene over the schnei-
der Letter-Facts Brought Out Con-
cerning La Joux, the Spy-Capt.
Dreyfus' Attitude.

Dreyfus Attitude.
Rennes, Aug. Yesterday was
Maitre Labori's day at the Lycee,
where Capt. Dreyfus is standing trial
on the charge of treason. Labori was
the central figure of the scene. As
the Dreyfus drama unrollcd before "A
crowded court in the forenoon, his tall
Viking-like form, draped in long
black gown, bordered with erninc, sit
ting in front of the footlights was the
magnet which, from the moment the
curtain was run open until 1T fell at
noon, drew all regards, not merely
glances of curiosity, but the steady
gaze of admiration. His mere presence
brought brightness into the court room
and fresh light into the proceedings.
Gems Roget, Billott, Mercier and
Boisdeffre, with the other military
witnesses, gave one another anxious
glances and put their heads together
to exchange obviously disagreeable inn
pressions as Labori piled the smaller
military fry, who occupied the witness
stand successfully yesterday with dis
concerting questions.
Labori cornered Mercier on the
SCHNEIDER letter, which the latter had
used in evidence and which Col. Schnei-
der had repudiated as forgery. The
general was surprised when Labor
suddenly demanded that NJ. Mercier
be recalled. Evidently he hoped the
tribunal would support him in refusing
to explain how he got copy of let
ter which was of later date than his
incumbency at the ministry of war.
But Labori was not to be denied. He
insisted that Mercier should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitating,
Mercier declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching to his
possession of the document. This, as
Labori intended it should be, was de-
monstration of communication by the
general staff of part at least of the Sc
cret dossier to an ordinary soldier,
such as Mercier became Immediately
on leaving the ministry of war. When
Labori had attained his object and
forced confession of grave violation
of law on the part of Gen. Mercier, he
gave a smile of grave satisfaction and
then added, significantly: Il shall
Mercier." The scene was highly
dramatic and made profound impress
sion upon all the spectators.
Gen. Mercier must now be spending
very miserable time, for aS the result
of this admission, and with the addi'
tional charge of communicating secret
documents to the court-martial of 1894
he is liable to arrest at any moment
Indeed, some people think it not i'm
posi- BILE that he will be lying in the
military prison adjoining the cell ot
Capt. Dreyfus before the week is out
Another series of questions put by NJ
Labori concerning La JouN, "A spy for
merly IN the service of the French wal
office, but packed off to South America
according to various military witnesses
because he proved swindler. Labor
asked how it was, if that were so, tha'
La Joux was still receiving monthly
payments. Commandant Follin, com
pletely taken abacli, replied thai a ces
sation of payments was under consid
Grafton.
The impression conveyed by Labori
questions and the replies given wa
that La Joux was being paid by tn,
war Office to keep out of the way in tn,
interest of Esterhazy, whom La JouX
in n letter read in court Offering revela
tions in the Dreyfus affair, indicate,
Ms the real traitor. NJ. Labori's cross
examination in this matter, therefore
was distinct advantage to the accused
NJ. Labori announced that he intend
ed to recall several witnesses who ha,
made dispositions during his absence
This means that MERCER, Roget an,
others, win be put To the test of a Sc
we're cross-eXamination. TO his friends
NJ. Labori has expressed himself conf
dent of bAing able to tear to piece
the evidence these generals have give
so confidently before sympatheti
tribunal.
Capt. Dreyfus yesterday pursued tn
attitude he took Monday and replie
to the statements of hostile witnesse
with arguments and the presentation
of counter facts only once giving wa
TO his feelings and Offering cry c
protest. This win be at the conclusio
of Col Bertin's deposition, when, wit
broken voice, the accused declared hi
love of France and the army. Yes,
he cried, 81 love France and love m
country, but it is with sentiments di
ferent from those animating them wh
come here to-day to testify agains
me ~
Nine Soldiers Drowned.
Manila Aug. 22.-While recon
noitering party of the Twenty-fourt
infantry under Capt. Crane was crossin
the Moriquina river on a raft yestei
day the hawser broke. The current
very swift at that point, causing tn
raft to capsize drowning nine enliste
men.
Daughters of Liberty.
Tifin, o., Aug. 22..-The nationi
council of the Daughters of Libert
convened in annual session here las
night with 200 delegates present an
w. L. Hayward, of Newark, N, D., nj