New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-23
MAITRE LAB0RI'S DAY.
THE WOUNDED COUNSELLOR
BEFORE THE RENNES
COURT.
HIS POWERFUL AID TO DREYFUS
QUICKLY SHOWN-MERCIER IN
CORNER-THE SPY LAJOUX.

day at the Lycee where Captain Alfred Dreyfus
is standing trial charge Of treason He
the central figure OF the scene. As the
Dreyfus drama unrolled before crowded
court this forenoon his tall form. draped In a
long black gown. bordered with ermine. sitting
in front Of the tootlights. was the magnet which
from the moment the curtain was rung up until
II fell at noon drew all eyes, not merely glances
Of curiosity but the steady gaze OF admiration.
His mere presence brought brightness into the
courtroom. and fresh light into the proceedings.
GALVANIZED A DORMANT DEFENCE.
Labori did what people had expected. He gall
vanized the dormant defence into an active. liv-
ing thing Maltre Demange was conciliatory.
He has always seemed 10 fear 70 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 de-
fence, and he thrusts home. To-day, when
Maitre Demange found nothing to ask wit
ness. Maitre Laboris quick eye had discovered
weak spots and he came forward with search
ing questions. He opened to-day with an elo-
quent speech. and the audience could have
listened for an hour as his rich melodious voice.
modulated tones and then impassoned out
bursts. accompanied by energetic and speaking
gestures filed the courtroom.
Generals Roget Billot Mercier and De Bois-
deffre with the other military witnesses, gave
one another anxious glances and put their heads
together to exchange obviously disagreeable i'm
pressions as Labori piled the smaller military
fry who occupied the witness stand successfully
to-day with disconcerting questions. Labor cor
nered General Mercier on the Schneider letter,
which the latter had used in evidence and which
Colonel Seine der had repudiated as forgery.
The General surprised when Labor suc-
denly demanded that Mercer be recalled. Evi-
IDENTIFY he hoped the tribunal would support him
In refusing to explain how he got copy OF a
letter which was Of later date than his incuIn-
bency at the Ministry Of War
MERCER IN A TRAP.
Rut Iabort was not 10 be denied. He insisted
that Mercier should give some explanation
Then. afte- hesitating Mercier declared that ne
would assume all the responsibility attaching
10 his possession of the documents. This as
Labori intended It should be, was demonstra-
ton of communication by the General stan OF
part at least Of the secret dosser 70 an ordinary
soldier, such as Mercier became Immediately on
leaving the Ministry Of War.
When Labori had attained his object ana
forced a confession OF grave violation OF law on
the part Of General Mercier. he gave smile OF
grim satisfaction, and added significantly;
'.I shall have other questions to put TO Generai
Mercier"
The sene was highly dramatic, and made q
nrofound Impression upon all the spectators
General Mercier must now be spending a
miserable evening, for, as the result OF ms ao-
mission. and with the additional charge OF conn
nunicating secret documents 70 the court mar
tial Of 1894 ne is liable 10 arrest at any mo-
ment Indeed. some people think II rot impos-
sible that he will be lying in the military PRISON
adjoining the cell of Captain Dreyfus before
the week is out
ABSENCE OF LAJOUX SUSPICIOUS.
Another series Of questions put by Maitre
Labori concerned Lajoux. spy formerly IN the
service OF the French War Office, but packed
~, N South America according 10 various MILL
tary witnesses. because he proved swindIer.
NJ Iabori asked how II was II that were So tnat
Lajoux was still -eceiving monthly payments.
Commandant RoIn completely taken aback,
replied that a cessation OF payments was under
consideration.
The impression conveyed by u. Laborfs
questions and the replies given was that Lajoux
was being paid by the War Office TO keep out ot
the way in the interests OF Esierhazy' whom
Lajoux in a letter read in court offering revela-
tions in the Dreyfls affair indicated as the
real traitor NJ Labori's oss-examination In
this matter therefore, was a distinct advantage
+ 70 Dreyfus
NJ Labori announced that he intended 10 re-
call several witnesses who had made deposit
: tions during his absence. This means not alone
Mercier, but Roget and others. who will be put
TO the test Of a severe cross-examination. TO
his friends NJ. Labori has expressed himself
confident Of being able 10 tear TO pieces the
evidence these generals have given conf
IDENTIFY before a sympathetic tribunal
DREYFus MAINTAINS HIS CASE.
Captain Dreyfus to-day pursued the attitude
he took up yesterday. and replied 10 the state
ments Of hostile witnesses with arguments and
the presentation Cf counter facts. only once Civ
ing way to his feelings and Offering a cry OF
protest. This the conclusion OF Colonel
Bertin's deposition, when. with broken voice.
the accused officer declared his love OF France
/ and the Army
Yes" he cried II love France and love my
country; but 1t is with sentiments different from
those animating the men who come here to-day
TO testify against me-
NJ. Labori. II anything, was better after his
exertions than before them. The excitement
under which ne labored seemed 10 act stim-
ulant. although many friends noticing his
flushed face feared there might be relapse.
So FAR from this being the case, he was able to
go for a ride with his wife in autocar this
afternoon. and on his return he held quite
reception, afterward spending the time until
dinner in going over to-day's evidence and pre-
pairing for tomorrow.
The scurrilous tactics Of the anti u-Dreyfusard
newspapers may be illustrated by paragraph
appearing in their organ here this evening. de-
claring that the attack on Labor, which, II in
sinuates. did very little HARM was made solely
10 arouse the pity OF the people Of Rennes for
the lamentable lot OF an escaped convict from
Devils Island.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.