The Worcester spy., 1899-08-13

Copyright, 1899, the Associated Press.)
Rennes, Aug. 12.-This has been a
tremendous day. NJ Casimir-P -Perier
gave to the court-martial history of
the Dreyfus case. He spoke in an EN-
phatic manner, with strong emotion
and often in a strong tone of indigna-
ton. He appeared to greater advan-
tage than 1 ever remember to have
seen him, and was honest and truth
full, though not free from pose, unless
when anger at the lies told about him
rendered him quite natural. M. Cash
mir -Perier declared that he would not
leave the court until the imputations
against him were cleared up.
He laid aside today his shepherd S
plaid suit, and wore a long frock coat
of true English cut, and light gray
trousers. His shirt collar was turned
down, as in his photograph, showing a
| strong neck. He has grown StouteI
since he resigned the presidency, and
| looks like an adept in athletic sports
| His eyes are staring and not at all OBJ
servant or expressive of his feelings
unless of anger; but he looks like mar
who had a grandfather who has filled
I
uncommonly well with his banker. Re-
| finement and delicacy are wanting. He
is not high-born gentleman, but the
| son and grandson of pre-eminently sue
cessful burgeois, of whom he is
proud. There is nothing commonplace
or insignificant about him, but there is
nothing that suggests a noble nature.
However, he has fine, straightforward
air. and looks like a man of proud and
II liant oh III T.,
offense. This pride reconeiles itself
with an abnormally thin skin. M. Cas-
imir- -Perier likes to stand we'll in the
opinion of the world
His tone was a little rude in answer
ing the formal questions as to his name,
age and profession When the presi-
dent of the court said: Tell what you
know of the Dreyfus affair."" NJ Cast
mir-Perier seemed unable to speak AS
matter Of fact, the blood rushes to his
heart whenever he is deeply moved,
paralyzing for a short time the organs
of speech.
Gen. Mercier was allowed to sit while
giving his deposition, if long -Winded,
flat explanations and remarks can be
called deposition. He is of quite
another type from M. Casimir- -Perier.
His full dress uniform failed to make
him look soldierly. He has the car
d L,
Esterhazy is like brigand; Mercier
like dishonest grocer who adulterates
his wares. His eyes are mere slits
surrounded with puffy flesh. They
peer suspiciously and reveal nothing
that is going on behind them. The in
stinct of preservation and the
small, mean passions that minister to
It, are alone expressed in his withered
countenance.
He Sn0lxa for ho1,ro ", n eao
ible voice Once the tap was turned,
the dribble or drivel went on. There
was hardly anything in his deposition
beyond the one capital admission that
he sent secret documents to Col Man
rel with not strict order, but an i'm
piled order, to show them to the other
judges of the 1894 court martial Apart
from this admission, his deposition, like
that of Gen. Roget before the court of
cessation, was full of inuendo or "ner.
hapses," and of ''if not impossible" OF
II may be- and such like verbal am
biguities
Who is he like?" 1 thought. '.Why
like Pecksniffi' His conceit and nride
are unbounde6 He spoke venomously
of M. Casimir-Perier.
Failing to demonstrate the guilt OF
Dreyfus, Gen. Mercier turned towards
the prisoner at the conclusion of the
dullest speech I ever heard. and. with
Pecksnifiian air, he beat time on his
knee as he said: IF l had the slightest
doubt OF the justice Of the 1894 sen
renee, would now say to the prisoner,
Captain, | have wronged youi'
Dreyfus for the first time hurst the
bounds Of his strict self control. The
blood rushed into his face and, starting
TO his feet he cried; But that is what
you ought to say" This brought down
the house and the bar, the press and
the public applauded Dreyfus stood
wllie the 'Bravos" were repeated,
quivsring with anger Then the cowed
look returned and he sat down rapidly
in square military position he thinks
respectful to the court
Gen. Mercier's disposition was In such
contrast to the graphic, powerful story
OF M. Casimir-P -Perier which had
throughout the ring of truth, that the
general was hooted as he left the stand.
He and M. Casimir- Perier will be con-
fronted Monday. pity him. Think Of a
sorry spawned horse only good for the
knacker, set 20 fight a lion.
Mondays proceedings will be 'sensa-
tional; today's were thrilling, a sign
that the tide Is on the turn Col. Jouaust.
the president of the court martial who
was so stiff with Dreyfus and ignored
his salutes, today returned them.
There were other depositiors OF great
importance, though they were not SEN
sational Their Importance lay in their
covering the anti-Dreyfusites with con-
fusion by mailing their lies to the coun-
ter. The evidence that DR. Ransom. who
is now In India, was said to be pre-
pared with, was stigmatized In a let
ter from him as futile inventions" He
did not witness the search mada Of the