The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-08

Rennes, September 5.-M. Labor this
afternoon telegraphed personal appeals
to Emperor William and King Hum
bert to grant permission to Colonel
Scwartzkoppen and Colonel Panizzardi,
German and Italian military attaches
in Paris in 1894, to come to Rennes to
testify in the trial of Captain Dreyfus.
This is the news of the day and the
chief topic of conversation in the cafes
and resorts of the journalists this
evening. The appeals were couched in
eloquent terms, invoking the assist
ance of their majesties in the name of
justice and humanity. They are quite
supplementary to the formal applica-
ton that will be made by the govern
ment commissary, Major Carriere.
The demand of M. Labor that the
court-martial should issue process, sub
ject to the approval of the two sover-
eigns, came like a thunder bolt at to-
days session. The step is fraught with
momentous consequences, as it affords
Emperor William an opportunity again
to assume his favOrite role of arbiter
of the destinies of the world. Nc one
will be surprised if Colonel Schwartz
koppen, in the name of the kaiser,
makes a declaration that will practi-
cally decide the result of the trial.
Both acknowledgment and Paniz-
zardi must consult their respective
sovereigns before starting, but the
counsel for Dreyfus fully expect them
to arrive here, If they come at all, in
time to give their testimony on Thurs
day, in which case the trial would
probably conclude this week and the
verdict be delivered on Friday or Sat
urday.
This is the view that obtains this
evening, differing somewhat from the
feeling earlier in the day.
Colonel Jouaust told M. Demange at
the close of the session if he received
official notification that Colonies
acknowledgment and PaniZZardi were
coming to depose he would be prepared
to adjourn the trial pending their ar
rival.
An adjournment of forty-eight hours
would probably give them time to get
here. A remarkable circumstance, and
one that is significant of the relations
between the eminent advocates who
are conducting the defense, is the fact
that M. Labor telegraphed the Ger
man Emperor and the king of Italy on
his own initiative without consulting
or advising with M. Demange.
The appearance of Colonies
Schwartzkoppen and Panizzardi would
be the most sensational as we'll as the
most important incident of the entire
trial. Their dispositions would be a
formal and emphatic declaration that
they never had any relations with the
accused and they would make such a
statement hat the court must order an
acquittal. Those who are in the conf
dence of the counsel entrusted with the
defense express a firm conviction that
Dreyfus will now be acquitted. New
ertheless, one of the most prominent
rnnorn ;C with whom the PnrrpCnOn6pn
of the Associated Press ~cOnversed to-
day, declared himself quite pleased
with the progress of the trial thus far
and confident of a conclusion "emi-
nently satisfactory to the prosecution.
WITH CLOSED DOORS TODAY.
Tomorrow's session will open with
closed doors to hear from Cernuschi
the Austrian political refugee, the
name of the foreign attache he has
already mentioned as admitting thai
hehad received reasonable
from Dreyfus. The remainder Of his
evidence will be given in public. Germ.
uschi will be subjected to a searching
cross-examination. The prosecution
relies upon him as a last straw. He
was interviewed this evening by sew
eral journalists, and he asserted tina
he had in his possession documents tt
prove every word of his statement yes
terday.
ACCORDING 10 a TumOr now gong Cn'
rounds, the name of the foreign agent
who, as Cernuschi declares, showed
him documents from Dreyfus, reveal
ing French military secrets, is Ger
schell. The latter is said to be al
Austrian officer who passed three
months in Paris about the time tina
DreyfuS was arrested.
1t is reported this evening hat tn,
minister of war, General The Marquis
de Guillifet has sent orders to the gen
erals and other military witnesses t.
leave RenneS and return to their re
spective posts within two hours afte
the conclusion of the dispositions ant
not to be present during the pleadings
They will thus be absent when tn
verdict is delivered. General MERCER
being on the retired list. is not affecte,
by this order, but Generals Roget
Gonse and de Boisdeffre must go. Thes
orders are intended, not only to aver
a demonstration in favor of the gener
ais, accompanied probably by seriou
disorders, but also to prevent tn
moral effect of their presence in tn
court room while the judges are de
liberating as to their verdict, and per
haps to prevent something even wors
than moral influence.
The following is a detailed report c
today'S proceedings:
The court-martial opened with a Sc
cret session at which the secret eSpion
age doSSler mentioned Dy captain Cule
net yesterday was read. Cernuschi, tn
Austro-Hungarian refugee, was not ez
amined today, but will be examined b
the court in camera tomorrow.
LABORTS REQUEST.
The open sitting was resumed at
o'clock. M. Labor presented "a pre-
amble and motion, asking that the go,
eminent commissioner request the go,
to ask the power or power
concerned through diplomatic channe
for communication of the documeni
enumerated in the paper called the boz
Iereau. M. Labor said that he had NJ
titled the government commissioner
name Colonies Schwartzkoppen and p
nizzardi as witnesses before the cour
martial If they are willing to testify b,
fore 1t. In conclusion he said: "Tf
Is very near when truth an
light are about to break forth shown