The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-23
Gen. Mercier In a Bad
Position.
Labori Says He Has More Ques-
tions To Ask Him.

Rennes. August 22.-Today was Maitre
Labori's day at the LTces where Captain
Dreyfus is standing trial on charge OF
treason. He was the central figure of the
scene. AS the Dreyfus drama unrolied
before crowded court this forenoon, his
tall. Viking-like form, draped In a long,
black gown, oordsred with ermine, sit
ting in front Of the footlights. was the
magnet which, from the moment the
curtain was rung up until 1t fell at noon,
drew all regards, not merely glanoes Of
curiosity, but be steady gaze Of admira.
tion.
His mere presence brought brightness
into the court room and fresh light into
the proceedings.
Iabori did what psonls Aao expected.
He galvanized the dormant defense into
an active, living thing. Maitre Demange
was conoiliatory. He has always seemed
to fear to tread on the military corn. La
bori is gladiator and always speaks TO
touch his foe to the quick. Let there be
the slightest opening in his opponents
defense and he thrusts home.
To-day when MaitTe lJemange found
nothing to ask witness, Maitra LaborI's s
quick eye had discovered weak spots and
he came forward with searching ques-
tions. He opened today with an eloquent
speech and the audience could have
listened for hours as his rich, meIodious
voice modulated tones and then impas-
stoned outbursts, accompanied by ener-
e,affa aud aoaakipa oaa4uraa Al1a7 a..
court room.
Generals Roget. Biliot. Meroier and
Boisedeffrs with the other military wit
nesses, gave one another anxious glances
and put their heads together to exchange
obviously disasreeable Impressions as La /.
bori piled the smaller military fry, who
oncupied the witness stand successfully
today, with disconnerting questions.
Labori oornered Gen. Mescier on the
Schneider letter which the latter had used
in evidence and which Col. Schneider
had repudiated as forgery.
The general was surprised when Lsbo
suddenly demanded that Msroier be re-
called. Evidently he hoped the tribunal
would support him in refusing to explain
HcH Az ENH . oCRJ "a y AcueoA WA4tn WAS
of later date than his inoumbency at the
ministry of war.
But Labori was not to be denied. He
insisted that Msroier should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitating,
Mercier declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching to his
possession of the document. Ihis, as La
bori intsnded 1t should be, was q demon
stratiou OF communication by the general
staff of part at least of the secret dossier
TO an ordinary soldier such as Mercier be-
came Immediately on leaving the ministry
of war.
When Labori had attained his object
and forced n confession of grave violation
of law on the part of General Mercier, he
gave smile of great satisfaction and
then be added Significantly: az shall
have other questions to put TO General
Mercier. -
The scsne was highly dramatic and
made profound sensation upon all the
spectators.
General Mercier must now be spending
a very miserable evening, for as a result
Of this admission, aud with the addition
al charge of communicating secret docu-
ments to the court martial of 1898, he is
liable to arrest at any time Indeed, some
people think it not impossible that he
will be lying In the military prison ad-
joining the cell of Captain of Dreyfus be-
fore the week Is out.
Another series OF questions nut BIZ
Maitre Labori concerned Laioux, spy
formerly in this service Of the French war
office, but packed off to South America,
according to various military witnessed
because he proved swindler. Lahori
asked how 1t was II that were so, that
Lajoux was stlil receiving monthly pay.
men.s. Commendant Roliin, completely
taken aback, replied that cessation Of
payments was under consideration.
The impression conveyed By Labori's
questions and the replies given was that
Lajoux was being payed by the war Office
10 keep out Of the way In the interests Of
Estsrhazy whom LsJonx, ip letter read
fus affhtr, indicated IS the real traitor.
n. LAbori's ekozs examination IN tha