The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-25
LABORTaIs MERcILEss.

LABORTsIS MERCILESS.
Counsel proceeded to demonstrate how
vigorously the secret Of the construction
of the brake was guarded, and asked
why, in 1894, the charges regarding the
Robin Melinite smells were not dwelt
upon.
Gen. Mercier-That arises on the simple
fact that it was not known until 1896
or 1887 that information on the subject
was being divulged. The existence of
treachery in regard to the distribution
of heavy artillery among the army corps
was unknown until 1895.
The assageS-at-arms between NJ. La
bori and Gen. MERCER were followed with
keen interest. Both men were wary and
mutually suspicious Of each other, and
there was considerable acerbity, Col.
Jouaust at times finding difficulty in pre-
venting the discussion from wandering
outside legal paths.
Continuing, NJ. Labori asked why Gen.
MERCER did not have a report prepared
regarding the confessions Dreyfus is al
legged to have made to Capt. Lebrun-
Renault
Mercier-The question of the confess
sions was Of no Importance, as a re-
vision Of the case seemed impossible.
NJ. Labori-What does Gen. MERCER
think of Esterhazy and the part he
played?
Gen. Merc1er-l 90 not know ESternaZy
and I do not think about him at all.
| NJ Labori-Did he know you at his trial
in 1898?
Gen Mercier-No.
Col. Jouaust-Gen. MERCER was not
minister of war then
NJ. Labori-This is, most interesting.
Gen. MERCER declares he knows nothing
of the trial Of 1898
| Gen. Mercier-I know nothing of it.
1eay 10 rtial which
tried Esterhazy I have only to answer
in court for my acts and I refuse you
| the right to question me about my
thoughts. (Sensation.)
Col. Jouaust, addressing NJ. Labor,
said: You are reverting to the evidence
of Gen. Mercier?"
NJ. Labori-My object in interrogating
the witness is to revert to his evidence.
Gen. Mercier-I protest against the
word ''interrogatory," for I am not
prisoner.
(Note-InterrOgatory, in French law,
generally applies to the examination of
an accused person by a magistrate.)
M. Labori-It is not a question of in
terrogatory. used the word In the
NOSE respectful sense. Will Gen. MERCER
say what he means by the charge pre-
ferred against the partisans of Dreyfus,
of having spent IS, 900, 600 francs? What
was this sum used for? The amount is
simply ridiculous.
Gen Mercier-I might just as well ask
you. (Sensati on.)
NJ. Labori-Do you mean to suggest that
it was spent in advertisements and in
buying conscienees?
Gen. Mercier-I say nothing whatever.
Counsel next wished to know why the
bordereau was communicated to the
court-martial of 1894, when it was con-
sidered Impossible to show the other doc
umeDtS of the secret dOSSier
Gen Mercier-Because the bordereau
was not dated, not signed and it's place Of
origin could be concealed.
NJ Labor pointed out that the place of
origin had been mentioned in court, and
then asked for explanations in regard to
the preparation Of the 1894 forgery.
The cross-examination Of Gen. Mercier
became more and more heated and so
rapid it was difficult to follow, and many
of the answers were confusing.
AS the questions of the counsel touch
ed upon the secret dossier and a certain
document in blue pencil, Gen. Gonse,
Gen. Roget, NJ Gribelin and Maj. Lauth
also participated in the discussion, which
almost degenerated into a wrangle. The
| government commissary, Maj. Carriere,
protested against such discussion, and
Col Jouaust ordered silence. The COM
missary said an attempt was being made
to show there was a fresh forgery which
|
to which NJ Labor retorted that Maj.
| Carriere was mistaken. The tendency Of
| these ross-examinatfons, he added, was
only to demonstrate the truth.
Nal Lauth said he believed clew to
the blue pencil document existed before
| the trial of 1894, and NJ. Labort asked
why, in that case, it was not produced
| at the trial, since it incriminated the
prisoner. u
Gen. Mercier said he did not know Of
this clew, and Maj. Lauth disclaimed all
| responsibility in the matter, as he was
| not connected with the preliminary in
quiry. 80
DREYFUS ENTERS PROTEST.
Gen. Risbourg, who was commander of
the republican guard in Paris in 1894,
was the next witness. He described the
scene with Capt, Lebrun-Renault, when
the witness learned of Dreyfus' alleged