The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-23

ure of the scene. AS the Dreyfus drama
unrolled before a crowded court this
afternoon, his tall, viking-like form
draped in long black gown, bordered
with ermine, sitting in front of the
footlights, was a magnet, which, from
the moment the curtain was run VI
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 does what people had expect
ed He galvanized the dormant de-
Tense into an active. living thing. NJ.
Demange is conciliatory. He has al
ways seemed TO fear to tread on the
military corn. Labor is a gladiator
and always speaks to touch his foe 10
the quick. Let there be the slightest
opening in his opponents defense and
he thrusts home.
ing to ask witness, NJ. Labori's quick
eye has discovered weak spots and he
came forward with searching ques-
lions.
He opened today with an eloquent
speech and the audience could have
listened for an hour to his rich, me-
lodious voice, modulated tones and
then imprisoned outbursts. accom-
panied by energetic and speaking ges-
lures.
Generals Roget, Billot, MERCER and
Boisdeffre, with the other military wit
nesSes, gave one another anxious
glances and put their heads together
to exchange obviously disagreeable i'm
pressions as Labori piled the smaller
f,-x- h. i.d la
stand successfully today, with discon-
certing questions.
Gets Admission From Mercier.
Labor cornered MERCER on the
Schneider letter. which the latter had
Used in. evidence and which Colonel
Schneider had repudiatedi as a forgery
The general was surprised when Labor
suddenly demanded that NJ. Mercier be
recalled. Evidently he hoped the tri-
bunal would support him in refusing to
explain how he got a copy OF a letter
which was of later date than his in
cumbency as minister of war.
But Labor was not TO be denied. He
insisted that MERCER should give some
explanation. Then, after hesitating,
MERCER declared that he would assume
all the responsibility attaching to his
possession of the document. This, as
Labor intended it should be. was a
demonstration of communication by
the general staff of part, at least, of
the secret dossier to an ordinary SOL
der, such as MERCER became immedi-
ately on leaving the ministry of war
When Labor had attained his object,
and forced a confession of grave Vio-
lation of law on the part of General
MERCER, he gave a smile of grim sat
isfaction and then added, significantly:
Il shall have other questions to put to
General MERCER"
The scene was highly dramatic and
made a profound impression upon all
the spectators.
General MERCER must now be spend
ing Il very miserable evening, for, as
the result of this admission and with
the additional charge of Communicate
ing secret documents TO the courtnnar-
tial of 1894. he is liable to arrest at
any moment. Indeed, some people
think il not impossible that he will be
lying in the military prison adjoining
the cell of Captain Dreyfus before the
week is out.
Another series of questions put by
NJ. Labor concerned La Joux. a spy
formerly in the service of the French
war Office, but packed off TO South
America, according to various military
witnesses, because he proved a swim
dler.
Labor asked how it was. if that
were so, that La JouX was still re-
ceiving monthly payments.
Commandant Rollin, completely taken
aback, replied that a cessation of nay
ments was under consideration.
The impression conveyed by. Labori's
questions and the replies given was
that La JouX was being paid by the
war Office to keep out of the way in
the interest Of Esterhazy, who La Joux,
in a letter read il court, offering reve-
lations in the Dreyfus affair, indicated
as the real traitor. NJ. Isabori's cross
examination IN this matter, therefore,
was a distinct advantage to the ac-
cusad
NJ. Labor announced that he intend
ed 10 recall several witnesses who had
made dispositions during his absence.
This means that Mercier, Roget and
othe:5 will be put to the test of a Sc
we're cross To his friends
NJ Labor has expressed himself con-
edent of being able to tear to pieces the
evidence these generals have given so
before a sympathetic tri-
bunal.
Captain Dreyfus today pursued the
attitude he took yesterday and replied
to the statements of hostile witnesses
with arguments and the presentation
of counter facts, only once giving way
TO his feelings and offering a cry of 1
protest. This was at the conclusion of |
Colonel Bertin's deposition, when, with !
broken voice, the accused declared his |
love Of France and the army
Yes" ne cried, Il love France. and !
[ love my country. but it is with senti- |
ments different from those emanating /
from those who come here today TO 4
testify against me-"
NJ LaboTi, if anything. was better |
after his exertions than before them.
The excitement under which he labored
seemed to act as stimulant, al
though many friends, noticing his
flushed lace, feared there might be a
relapse. So far from this being the
ease. however, he was able to go for a
drive witls his wife in an auto-car this
afternoon, and on his return he held
quite a reception, afterwards spending
the time until dinner in going over to-
days evidence and preparing for TO-
The scurrilous tactics of the anti
newspapers may be illus
rated by a paragraph appearing in
heir organ here thisssevening declar-
ng that the attack on Labor. which,
[ insinuates. did very little harm. was
made solely to arouse the pity of the
,eople of Rennes for the lanientable lot |
If an escaped convist from Devils is
and.
Lie,itenaat Colonel Bertin's testimony