The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-23
MERCER is MISERABLE,
A Confession of Grave Violation of the
Law Forced From Him He May
Soon Occupy Cell Near Dreyfus.
The Hand of the Master Direct
ed Yesterdays Proceedings.

Rennes, Aug. 22-Today was Maitre
Dreyfus is standing trial on charge of
treason. He was the central figure of
the scene. AS the Dreyfqs drama I'M
rolled before crowded court this fore
noon his tall, viking like form, draped
in long, black gown, bordered with
ermine, sitting in front of the foot
lights, was the magnet which, from the
moment the curtain was rung up until
it fell at noon, drew all regards, not
merely from curiosity, but the steady
gaze of admiration. His mere presence
brought brightness into the court room
and fresh light into the proceedings.
Labor did what people expected. He
galvanized the dormant defence into an
active, living thing. Maitre Demange
was concillatory. He has always
seemed to fear to tread on the military
corn. Labor is a gladiator, and always
speaks to touch his foe to the quick
Let there be the slightest opening in his
opponents defence and he thrusts
home.
Today when Maitre Demange found
nothing to ask witness, Maitre La
boris quick eye had discovered weak
spots, and he came forward with
searching questions.
He opened today with an eloquent
speech, and the audience could have
listened for an hour as his rich, melo-
dious voice, modulated tones and then
imprisoned outbursts, accompanied by
energetic and speaking gestures, filled
the court room.
Gems. Roget, Billot, MERCER and
RlfgdQffT6 "a or har i%ap
nesses, gave one another a glance apd
put their heads together to exchange
obviously disagreeable impressions, as
Labor piled the smaller military fry,
who occupied the witness stand success
lively today, with disappearing ques-
tons. Labor cornered Gen. MERCER on
the Schneider letter, which the latter
had used in evidence and which Col.
Schneider mad repudiated as a forgery
The general was surprised when Labor
suddenly demanded that MERCER be re-
called. Evidently he hoped the tribu-
nal would support him in refusing to
explain how he got a copy of a letter
which was OF later date than his in
cumbency at the ministry of war.
But Labor was not to be denied He
insisted that MERCER should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitating,
MERCER declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching to his
possession Of the document This as
Labor intended it should be, was
demonstration of communication by the
general staff of part, at least of the
secret dossier to an ordinary soldier,
such as MERCER became Immediately
after leaving the ministry of war.
Whep Labor had attained his object
and forced confession of grave viola
ton of law on the part of Gen. MERCER,
he gave a smile of grim satisfaction,
and then added Significantly: II shall
nave other questions to put to Gen.
Mercier."
The scene was highly dramatic and
made a profound impression upon all
the spectators.
Gen. Mercier must now be spending
a very miserable evening, for, as the |
result of this admission and with the
additional charge of communicating
secret documents to the court mar
tial of 1894, he is liable to arrest at any
moment. Indeed some people think it |
not impossible that he will be lying in
the military prison adjoining the cell of
Capt. Dreyfus before the week Is out |
Another series Of questions put by
Maitre Labor concerned Lajoux, a spy
formerly in the service of the French |
war office, but packed off to South Am
erica, according to various military
d
Ter.
Labori asked how it was, If that were
So that Lajoux was still receiving |
payments.
Commandant Rollin, completely TAX
en- apack, replied that a cessation of |
payments was under consideration.
The impression conveyed by Laboris !
questions and the replies given was |
that Lajoux was being paid by the war |
office to keep out of the way in the in |
terests of EsterhA1y, whom Lajoux, in |
a letter read in court offering revela- |
tons in the Dreyfus affair, indicated |
as the real traitor. NJ. Labori's cross |
examination in this matter, therefore, |
was distinct advantage to the ac-
cused
Labori announced that he intended to |
recall several witnesses.
M. Labor announced that he intend |
ed to recall several witnesses who had |
made dispositions during his absence. |
This means MERCER, Roget and others |
who will be put to the test of severe
cross examination. To his friends M. |
Labor has expressed himself confident /
Of being able to tear to pieces the evil |
dence these generals have given so con |
fidently before a sympathetic tribunal |
Capt Dreyfus today pursued the at |
titude he took up yesterday and repi- |
ed to the statements of hostile witness |
es with arguments and the presenta- |
ton of counter facts, only once giving |
way to his feelings and offering a CRY
Of protest This was at the conclusion |
of Col. Bertin's deposition, when, with |
broken voice, the accused declared his !
love of France and the army.
Yes he cried II love France and !
love my county but it is with senti- !