The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-25
HE HELD THEM DOWN
To Strictly Legal Evidence in the
Prosecution.
GEN. MERCER AGAIN REFUSES
To Answer Counsel's Questions, Fall
inc Back on Ills Rank for PrOtcc-
tlon-SeyeFaI Heated Eucoun-
tcrs with VI. LabOri-Prcsi-
dent of First Drcyfus
Court Tcstifics.

RENNES. Aug. 4.--To-days session Of
the Dreyfus court-martal was marked
by one OF the most exciting scenes OK the
trial The proceedings opened with a
skirmlsh entirely favorable TO the de-
fence over Colonel Maurel. 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 defence lie protested that only one
document was looked at, alleging that
this suficed 70 enable him to form a con-
vction that could not be shaken This
protest made matters worse. because. as
VI. Laborl pointed out if he pursued one
II was his bounden duty t9 pursue all.
Colonel JOuaust upheld Colonel Maurel i'm
his refusal 90 indicate The nature Of the
document he read. But NJ Labori an
nounced that he would summon Captain
Freystatter. another member Of the tri-
bunal of 1894 and get his version OF what
then passed behind the backs Of the cOun-
sci for the defence.
Colonel alaurel felt his position keenly.
and hesitated before replying TO NJ. la
boris questions. All this, however. was
ensued between Labori and General Mer-
cer. the latter receiving rein
forcements from Generals Roget Gonse
and De Boisdenre. as well as valuable
assistance from Colonel JOuaust himself
NJ Iabori took General MERCER over the
whole ground OF his previous deposition
This led 10 several sharp passages az
arms between the advocate and Colonel
Jouaust. who upheld Mercier I'm refusing
to reply 10 several questions which in
the general opinion of those in the court
room were distinctly pertinent
Whenever General Mercier was cornered
he declined 70 answer, and Colonel
Jouaust invariably supported him. NJ.
Labori protested most energetcally. His (
words and manner breathed the deepest /
Indignation. but the president of the court /
martial was inheXble.
MUCH EXCITEMENT
The intervention Of Generals Gonse, /
Roget and De BOisde1re and Mai Iauth. /
who I'm rapid succession mounted the 1
stand. or rose I'm their seats and inter
posed remarks. was very exciting. ana /
carried the spectators along on "a wave
OF breathles interest. one after the other
these officers who were to-day In fun /
uniform would jump up and cry. or de-
mand 10 be heard, and. without further
waiting. ascend the steps Of the platform
and begin "a statement in support of
brother officer. Sometimes four officers
were on the stage al the same moment.
II was marvellous display Of military
At one time "a perfect babel
OF voices regned FOR several minutes until
Colonel JOuaust interyened and restored
order
n. Labori's cross-examinatlon was
so far as it went but
Colonel Jouaust prevented him pressing
his advantage TO the utmost In fact
Jouausrs hostile attitude toward tho
counsel for the defence then and during
he cross-examination OF the witness. NJ
De Grandmaison. evoked the severest crit-
ism on the part of the public present.
and bodies ill for Dreyfus Not only COL
mel Jauaust. but the other Judges dis
played considerable impatience during /
-abOri's scathing crOss-eXamination,
hitting restlessly iu their seats. and
drumming the table with the tips Of their
fingers.
General MERCER faced Lahoris fire with
allOus demeanor. standing on the plat
orm. his hands behind his back and his
nee only half turned toward his Ques-
aoner once or twice a savage look In
he ryes an elevation in the tone and
swaying 10 and fro OF the body re-
General Roget faced the court with an
ir Of mblushing effrontery. His hands
nd features expressed the bitterest scorn
s he turned on his heel and with arms
rossed faced Labor. the audience or the
idges. lie is remarkably vain and is
lways striking attitudes for newspaper
rtists, quite "a number Of whom attend
ne sessions His impertlnent behavior
as strikingly illustrated to-day when he
terrupted NJ. Iabon's examination OF
eneral Chamoin. which had resulted I'm
{ Labon's scoring heavily against Mcr-
er with the exclamation: This eyaml.
alton is waste Of tine
MERCER SHOWED UP
As matter OF fact the examination 90
hamoin showed Mercier i'm a very bad
sht, as it brought out that he had pri-
itely communicated 10 ChamOin on the
st day OF the secret sessions a report
! the Panizzardi dispatch for insertion
the secret dossier General Chamoln I
United that he was wrong I'm accepting s
e report but pleaded ignorance IN judi
Al matters.
The report consisted Of three pages. OF L
nlch the second and third Chamoin de- z
ared, contained fantastic, and In fact
ise representations. |
W. Labori brought General Mercler 10
e bar I'm reference 10 this. Mercler ad- y
itted that he reports emanated from y
4 Patty de Clam but claimed that he !,
nself did not understand its contents. .
ough he thought II would be anterest =,
: and perhaps useful 10 Chamoin. This ,
planation was regarded as very lame :
d, combined with other shady actions a
'uld damn MERCER as a witness in the \
es OF any impartial tribunal \
The correspondent OF the Associated \,
ess saw Madame Labori this afternoon N
d conyersed with her regarding her A
Stands condition. She said he was n
'sressing rapidly though still suffering I,
lsiderable pain. "
The way he Is recovering" she ex. Il
imed. seems 10 me almost miracu. g.
s."
IN DETAIL.
Il the opening OF the proceedings this X
rning Colonel Jouaust ordered that tho d'
dence or Penot, friend OF the late ~
onel Sandherr. chief OF the Intelligence n
partment. be read by the court, which L..
5 done. III
his testimony, as given before the ", "