Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-06
1t Mill Begin at Half-PaSt 6 or
7 O'CItCk A. N.
MERCER AND PICaUART ARRIVE.
Former Has an Anxious, Careworn
Look-AuthorIties Concerned About
the maintenance of Order-Arti-
Dreyfusitcs Invade the Town.

RENNES, August 5.-Rennes mas awak-
ened from its normal condition of sleepi-
ness, and with the arrival of hundreds Of
journalists from all parts Of the world
and witnesses and other actors in the
Dreyfus drama the town is fully as
Stunning an animated experience The ter
races In front of the cafes are full of
people, warmly discussing the coming
trial, which will open on Monday morn
ing at ESQ or o'clock
General Mercier, who was Minister Of
War when Dreyfus was condemned. ar
rived from Paris this afternoon. HIS
face bore an anxious, care-worn LOOK.
a large number Of persons had gathered
on the platform at the railway station
10 witness his arrival, but no noteworthy
incident occurred
HERO PICQUART.
The leading event of the day was the
arrival Of the hero OF the Dreyfus af-
fair, Lieutenant-C Colonel George Picquart.
His train arrived at o'clock this eve
ming, an hour late, and only a few peo-
pie were present at the station, except
detectives and police officials. As Colo
mel Picquart entered the carriage which
Maitre Labor, counsel for Captain DTey-
fus, had waiting for him in the station
yard some of the spectators shouted,
"Vive Picquart," and "Vive Dreyfus."
These shouts elected counter-cries Of
"A bas Picquart" from the few anti
Dreyfusites present
But the bark Of the latter was worse
than their bite, for not the slightest at
tempt was made to carry out the threats
which Colonel Picquart utterly ignored.
AUTHORITIES ANXIOUS.
The authorities are apparently becOm-
ing anxious regarding the maintenance Of
tranquility in Rennes during the trial,
owing TO the invasion of the town by a
crowd Of anti-Dreyfusard agitatOrs, and
heroic police measures were taken this
evening to insure peace during couple
of opposition meetings, which were quite
private. A small number of people as
sembled I'm the neighborhood Of the meet
ings, which were held, and this led
the authorities 10 mobilize in the
locality a force of policemen on foot.
mounted genadrmes and swarm Of de-
tectives. who closed the streets in the
vicinity. although there was not the
slightest sign Of disorder.
FEW TICKETS FOR THE PRESS.
Cards Of admission TO the trial were
issued this afternoon to representatives
of the press. every two foreign cores
pondents, without exception, receiving
one card between them. which means
that the leading papers Of the world out
side of France will be able 10 be repre-
scented only every other day.
Captain Dreyfus will be conducted 10
the new courtroom in the Lycee Cor
lege. which faces the military prison,
across the broad avenue de la Care,
every morning. and will return in the
evening, between two rows Of gendarmes.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE TRIAL.
Workmen have been busy to-day htung
up the Sale des Fetes FESTIVAL HalD III
the Lycee for the trial, and the installa-
ton OF benches, desks, &c, is already
practically completed. \ large crucihN
has been brought from the military
chapel and hung behind the seats of the
Judges. which are placed on the stage
As the Sale des Fetes is really thea-
ire. the proscenium has been left I'M
touched. and will form a frame for the
ccenee Of the trial