Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-24
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The Dreyfus Court Martial.

~
The Dreyfus Court Martial.
Rennes, Aug. 24.-Tho court opened
a. usual at $50 this morning, and the
registrar proceeded to read the deposit
ton of Nj. Denies-Penot, who refuted
EsterhaZy's statements that Sandherr
had ordered him to write the border
eau. At M. Labori's request, George
Leloir was called. Leloir said he knew
the Bodsons at whose house Dreyfu:,
according to the testimony OF witness
yesterday, plotted with German Of
lis,r. Witness said III. and Nine.
B,dson were greatly astonished at the
arrest of Dreyfus and said they thought
him incapable of treason.
Col. Mauret, who was president OF
the court martial which convicted Drey-
TVS in 1894, next testified. Mauret Said
he was sure then as he was now that
Dreyfus was guilty. Mauret said he
mad only seen one of the documents of
the secret dosser and mentioned Gen
eral MERCER as knowing more about il
than he did.
Lobori now began to question MERCER
concerning his part in bringing secret
evidence before the first court martial
without the knowledge of the accused.
Ibid you order that the secret dossier
be presented to the fret court mar
liz ?n asked Labor.
EYES," replied MERCER, 81 take the
entire responsibility"
General Mercier," asked Labor,
sat the time of the prisoners arrest,
was there other evidence against him
besides the borderenu ?"
Yes" replied the General.
L4bori-"Then why wero these
proofs concealed from The President OF
France (Casimir Ferier)?"
Mercier refused to answer
Labor: "Did you read the article
10 the Libre Parole saying that Dreyfus
was arrested because the Generals were
not alter the Jews and determined to
rid the army of them ?"
MERCER: II never follow the pa
pers. There was never any such propa-
sanda against the Jews"
Labor showed that the article in
question had been written by Col
Henry. He then questioned MERCER
about the contents OF the DOrdereau,
MERCER insisting that Dceyfus was in q
position TO deliver the documents
named. He then asked MERCER about
the 100000 franc syndicate TO free
Dreyfus which the witness in his first
testimony had spoken.
Mercier :-"General De Freycinet
told me formally of the existence of
this syndicate"
Labor How formally ?"
Gen. Mercier protested against the
lawyers manner, saying he was not
the accused.
"What do you want of me?" de-
manded Labor heatedly.
Yes, and what doyou want Of me?"
retorted MERCER.
The audience jumped to its feet ex
pecting q personal encounter between
the General apd Lahori, but President
Jouast succeeded in smoothing over
matters and then Gen. MERCER pro-
ceeded more calmly, but making few
admissions.
Labor next demanded the meaning
of some red pencil marks on one of the
pieces of the dossier. MERCER started
to make a reply when General Gonse
came to his assistance on the platform
talking vigorously Then Roget rush
. ed up followed by Lauth, Grbelin, the
keeper of the archives for the staff,
and finally Chanoine, who has charge
of the dossier. All of them began talk
ing at once and pandemonium reigned.
Finally Gonse exclaimed: Henry
wrote them" Laying it to dead man
excited laughter in the audience. Maj.
Carriere protested against the idea that
all of Henry's things were forgeries
Those who had invaded the platform
then retired and MERCER continued
speaking. 1t was not long before be
again took offense when Labor referred
to him as Du CLAIMS spokesman. Gen
Risburg next gave to the court his
ideas of why Dreyfus was guilty.
This caused an outburst from Drey-
fus, who arose and cried out: PHRASES
are valuelees. Bring proofs, proofs"
Major Cure, who was detailed by Col.
Picquart to investigate Esterhazy's
character, testified, saying that Ester
hszy was always having things copied.
Further testimony unfavorable to Es
terhazy was given by NJ. Roche and
Police Officer Desverdin. The latter
told how Esterhazy spied on army
movements and indicated he was a
shady character Deputy De Grand
Maison testified that he was sure of
Dreyfus's guilt ON general grounds.
Labor began to examine the witness
but was stopped by Jouast, with some
show of irritation.
The proceedings today were marked
by general paucity of new evidence.
Paris, Aug. Pat is rumored here
that the general staff has new plan
for clearing themselves and at the same
time maintaing their belief in Drey
fuss guilt. This is nothing less than TO
admit that Esterhazy wrote the Dor
deau, !but that he was au accomplice of
Dreyfus.
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