The times., 1899-08-25

convicted DreTfus. but as tnat oncer was
not In court NJ. Labori demanded that Gen
erai Mercier be recalled.
Then followed the great duel which every
body has been impatiently awaiting since
the trial opened. NJ. Labor seemed 10 be
IN the full rigor OF his powers. while Gen
erai Mercier was dogged and unyielding-
Beth Colonel Jouaust and Major Carriere
begged N Labor al the outset 10 be 6riefi
Major Csrriere even presurning 10 suggest
that he might put questions, but should not
draw deductions thsrefrom.
NJ Labor retorted: 4 will take no les
sons from the prosecution.
Turning then to General Mercier. NJ La
bori begged him 10 recall the orders he
gave for the communication of certain docu-
ments TO the 1894 eourt-maTtial
General Mercier- gave no orders to that
court-martiaL-
When pressed. however Mercier admit
ted having given verbal orders for the
communication OF the documents TO the
court
Merefer Refuses to Answer.
Nj. Lzbori-Why were not these docu-
ments submitted regularly?
General Mercier-I will not answer.
Again that inexorable barrier was inter-
posed and NJ Labori started on another
tack.
besides those based on the bordereau?
General Mercier-Yes.
NJ Labori-What?
General Mercier-I decline to answer
NJ Labori-lf the bordereau was suffi
eient why were there other charges?
General Mercier-We wanted evidence
enough to satisfy all our consciences
Hence the dictation test But there was no
reason for lightly bringing in the name OF
a foreign power.
NJ Labori-Why didn't you watch Drey-
fus instead Of promptly arresting him?
General Mercier-I arrested the traitor
In order 10 avoid the effects of his treason
NJ Lahori further questioned the
witness regarding the management OF the
case IN 1s9s, General Mercier finally taking
refuge in the reply: Il wasn't directly
concerned in the affair OF 1924. knew Of
it. but did not know its details"
NJ Lsbori-Then you brought these
charges against Dreyfus and used the evil
dence you did without studying the case?
Protected by Jounnsf.
General Mercier in reply. went off into
a fresh analysis of the case. NJ. Labori
tried 10 pin the witness down, but Colonel
Jouaust interposed his objection.
b. Labori questioned the witness as to
the possibility of Dreyfus' knowledge of the
-I2e' cannon mentioned in the bcrdereau.
and Colonel JOuaust again interposed.
NJ Labor warmly retorted: 1T was not
my fault that ! was not present TO cross
examine the witness ar the proper time. -
he continued by demanding his rights
SO vigorously that Colonel Jouaust finally
Withdrew his objection and after asking
permission 70 sit. reed extracts from 6epo-
sirions IN regard to the --I20- cannon and
the Madagascar items.
After the reading NJ. Labori asked Mer-
cier why he had made no report of Drey-
fus alleged confession 10 Captain Le5run-
Renaud.
General Mercier-Becanse then consid-
cred the AFFAIR completely at an end.
NJ Labcri then took Up Esterhazy. ask
ing General Mercier what he thought of
him.
General Mercier-It is unnecessary for
me 10 appreise Esterhazy's conduct
n. Lsbori-You knew, OF course, about
the Esterhazy trial?
Colonel Jouaust-Tbe witness need not
answer
NJ Labori-wfll the witness inform us
IL he can prove his assertion that a syn
dicate with 3o. .e0e. 600 francs had been
formed 10 save Dreyfus2
General Mercier-I had precise evidence
on that point
Eabori Interfered With.
rogatoire'' in referring to the witness
Colonel Jcuzust vigorously interposed. de-
claring that General Mercier was no; an
accused person, and there was a lively
wrangle for a few moments between NJ
Labor, Colonel Jouaust, and General Mer-
cier.
When Mercier's examination was re-
sumed. NJ Labor asked why it was more
dangerous 10 communicate the secret dos
sier TO the courr-martial in 1894 than the
bordereau itself
General Mercier-Because it would have
disclosed the name of the power TO which
the bordereau was addressed, and also the
name of the attache.
NJ Labori questioned General Mercier in
regard TO document in the secret dos
sier containing the words We will dins
Friday evening at O'Clock at Laurents
house with two friends and jew" IThi!
piece served as the basis of Henry's for
gery-l
General Mercier denied all knowledge o.
the document
General Gonse interposed and said tina
this piece was found in 1886
General Roget added This piece wa
found in the War Office bills in 1895. bu
several officers knew Of it in 1894 Th'
later date was put on it by Du Patty d
Clam"
A Confusion of yoTces.
Then Major Lauth and NJ. Gribelin jeine
Generals Gonse. Mercier, and Roget on tn
dais. all talking at once and Colone
Jouaust and Major Carriere together wild
some difficulty finally succeeded in restor
ing order
H. Labori demanded TO know why thi
piece, which would have been a crushing
blow against Dreyfus II genuine, was no
procured in 1894
Generals Gonse and Mercier both repliei
that they did not know Of it then.
n Labor severely questioned Genera
Mercier In regard to his transmitting ID
Patty de Clans summary Of the cas-
against Drryfus 10 the court-martial Q
1894. which summary Mereier afterwar
destroyed
General Mercier insisted THAI this was
private document prepared for his ow
eonveniencs and he had right TO destro
f. BY error ii had been sent 10 the court
martial with the secret dossier.
The ross-examination of General Mel
cler with the intervening incidents occJ
pied nearly Two hours and the refusals
the witness To answer. the presidents il
ierpositions in his behalf. and the intei
rcptions Of other generals availed TO pras
ticaliy defeat Mr.. Labori's efforts to brin
ont fresh information OF important adnlii
ssons.
Colonel RisboGrg was the next witnes
He repeated the testimony he gave befol
the Court OF Cessation TO the effect thi
Captain Lebrun- Renaud had quoted Dire,
fus as having practically confessed h
guilt on the day Of his degradation.
Dreyfas Raises His Voice.
Dreyfus rose to reply. making the mo
emphatic denial be has yet given of tn