The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-08-26
MAKES THEM SQUIRM.'
NJ Labori Makes Things Warm for
Anti-Dreyfus Witnesses.
Gen. Mercier Ia Corncred and Left In
Decidedly Unenviabie Position
-Labori VIII Recall Several
Who Have Testified.


Rennes, Aug. 23.-The third session
of the third week of the second trial
by court-martial of Capt. Alfred Drey-
fus on charge of treason began at the
Lycee at half-past six this "wednesday
morning. Maitre Labor and Mime. La
bori were present. The session opened
with the testimony of minor witnesses.
Roy and Dreviell. The latter deposed
that Dreyfus, while with the general
STAFF, could have access to documents
unperceiyed during certain hours of the
day. Capt. Dreyfus, replying, admit
ted that he was present during these
hours, but explained that his presence
was connected with his duties.
Tuesdays Session.
The first witness Tuesday was NJ.
Grenier. the former project of Belfort.
His testimony was favorable TO Dreyfus
and distinctly hostile TO Esterhazy.
Mai. Rollin, of the intelligence depart
ment, was asked by NJ. Labori during
\ the course OF the formers testimony
how a certain document, of a later date
/ than Mercier's ministry, came into
/ Gen. Mercier's possession. Rollin said
IL was not his business To explain, but
counsel insisted, asking whose business
it was. Finally NJ. Labori asked Col.
Jouaust to request Gen. Mercier to ex-
plain. The general rose and said he
| declined to answer. NJ. Labori insist
ed, but MeIcier still refused to answer
ard MAJ Carriere, the governments
commissary, supported him. on the
| ground that the examination was enter
ing upon matter which ought not, in
the interest of the country, to be dis
cussed publicly.
Mercicr Cornercd.
The document in question was the
] Schneider letter, which the latter had
used in evidence, and which Col.
! Schneider had repudiated as forgery.
The general was surprised when La
bori suddenly demanded that MERCER
be recalled. Evidently he hoped the
tribunal would support him in refus-
ing TO explain how he got copy of a
letter which was OF later date than his
incumbency at the ministry of war.
He declined, as stated above, to ex-
plain, but Labori was not to be denied.
lie insisted that Mercer should give
some explanation. Then, after hesitat-
ing, Mercier declared that he would as
sumo all the responsibility attaching
TO his possession OF the document. This,
as Labori intended it should he, was
a demonstration OF communication by
the general STAFF of part at least of the
secret dossier TO an ordinary soldier.
such as MERCER became Immediately on
leaving the ministry OF war. When
Labori had attained his object and
forced a confession OF grave violation
of law on the part OF Gen. MERCER, he
gave smile OF grim satisfaction and
then added significantly: IL shall have
other questions TO put to Gen. Mer-
cier."
An UncnvinbIc Position.
Gen. MERCER must now be spending
very miserable moments, for, as the
result OF this admission, and with the
additional charge of communicating
secret documents to the court-martiaI
of 1894, he is liable to arrest at any
moment. Indeed, some people think it
not impossible that he will be lying in
the military prison adjoining the cell
OF Capt. Dreyfus before the week Is
out.
Causes n Sensation.
A former secretary of the war Of
flee named Ferret next testified to
seeing Dreyfus prying into other
officers work during their absence
and the prisoner replied, excited
Is. that Ferret's statements were
connections by former minister
of war, which caused n sensation. Then,
in cooler manner, the prisoner made
a statement explaining the difficulties
in the way of civilian, such as Ferret,
entering the offices of the general staff.
Gen. Gonse thereupon presented two
letters TO the effect that the writers,
both OF whom were civilians, obtained
easy admittancc TO the Offices.
Dreyfus retorted that the regulations
were very strict in this respect and
that therefore some persons were
guilty of gross breach of discipline;
and NJ. Demange scored by adding that
IL entry in these offices was easy, why
anybody could procure the information
Dreyfus was alleged TO have obtained SO
surreptitiously. The next witness,
Lieut.. Col. Berth, who was the head
of Dreyfus' Office i'm 1894, showed him
self TO he most virulent enemy of the
| prisoner. lie nau eNluently learned MS
testimony by heart and detained il in
n strident, aggressive tone which graf
ed upon the ears OF the audience. Some
Of his remarks, particularly his declara-
ton that he was convinced of Dreyfus'
guilt by M. Bertillon's chart and his in
PRODUCTION of Esterhazy's statements as
evidence against Dreyfus, elected gen
eral smiles in court.
Dreyfus arose and objected to Lieut..
Col. Bertin's insinuation. The prisoner
recalled his sufferings and feverish,
nights on Devils island. and reiterated
again and again his love for the army
and love for France. (Sensation.)
COL Jouaust here declared the Incl
dent closed. etc.
Estcrhnzy Kissed.
London, Aug. %. - Commandant