The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-30
The Dreyfus Trial.
Maitre Labouri the Central
Figure in Trial Yesterday.
Brings Mercler to
Prison Door.

Prison Door.
Rennes, Aug 22-Today was
Maisre Labori's day at the Lycee.
where Cap. Alfred Dreyfus is stand
ing trial on charge of treason. la
bosi was the central figure of the
scene
AS the Dreyfas drama unrolled be
fore a crowded court this forenoon,
Labori's tail, vikiag-like form in a
long black gown, bordered with
ermine, sitting in front Of the foot
lights, was the magnet which, from
the moment the curtain was rung up
until it fell at noon, drew all regards,
not merely glances of curiosity, but
the steady gaze of admiration His
mere presence brought brightness
into the court room and fresh light
into The proceedings
Labor did what people had ex-
pected He galvanized the dormant
defense into an active, living thing
M Demange is conciiitary- he has
slwsys seemed to fear to tread ON the
military corr. Labori is gladiator
and always aims to touch his foe to
the quick LET there be the slightest
opening in his opponents defense
and he thrusts home
Today when N Demange found
nothing to ask witness. NJ Labori's
quick eye had discovered weak
points, and he came forward with
searching questions
He opened today with an eloquent
speech, and the audience could have
listened for an hour to his rich, melo.
dious voice. modulated tones end
the impassioned outbursts, accom-.
panied by energetic and speaking
gestures
Gems. Roget, Billot, Mercier and
Roisdehre, wish the other military
Witnesses. gave one another anxious
glances and put their heads together
to exchange obviously disagreeable
impressions as Labor Piled the
smaller military fry. who occupied
the witness stand successively today,
with disconcersing questions
Labor cornered Gen Mercier on
she Schneider letter. which the latter
had used in evidence and which Col.
Schneider had repadiated as a for.
gerry. The general was surprised
when Labori suddenly demanded
that Mercier be recalled Evidently
he hoped the tribunal would support
him in refusing to explain how ne
got copy Of q letter of q later date
thaa his incumbency at the ministry
Of war
But Labori was not to be denied
He insisted that Mercier should give
some explanaiion Then. after hesi.
tating, Mercier declared that he
would assume ali the responsibility
attaching TO his possession of the
document. This, as Labor intended
it should be, was demonstration OF
communication by the general staff
Of part at least of the secret dossier
to an ordinary soldier, such IS Mer
cier became Immediately on leaving
the ministry of war. When Labori
had attained his object and forced
confession of grave violation Of Law
on the part of Gen. Mercier, he gave
q smile of grim satisfaction and
then added significantly: 81 shall
have other questions to put to Gen.
Mercier !"
The scene was highly dramatic and
made profound impression upon ali
spectators
Gen. Mercier must now be spend
ing very miserable evening, for as
the result of this admission. and
with the additional charge of com
municatipg secret documents to the
court martial Of 1894, be is liable to
arrest at any moment. Indeed, some
people think it not impossible that he
will be lying in military prison ad,
joining the cell of Capt: Dreyfus be-
fore the week is ous.
Another series Of questions put by
ri. Labori concerned Lajoux, spy
formerly in the service of the French
war Office, bot packed off to South
America, according TO varione milf
tar ywitnesses, because be proved a
swindier.
Labori asked how j. was, if taat we're
go, that Lsioaz vas still receiving
monthly payments.