The record-union., 1899-08-25


Colonel JOuaust.
RENNES, Aug. 24-To-day's session
OF the Dreyfus court-martial was mark
ed by one Of the most exciting scenes
of the trial. The proceedings opened
with a skirmish entirely favorable to
the defense over Colonel Maurel. Presi-
dent of the court-martial of 1894, who
admitted reading one of the secret doc
uments to the court which had not been
seen by the defense. He protested that
only one document was looked at, al
leging that this sufficed to enable him
to form a conviction that could not be
shaken. This protest made matters
worse. because. as M. Labori pointed
out, if he perused one, it was his
bounden duty to peruSe all.
Colonel Jouaust upheld Colonel Maui
rel in his refusal to indicate the nature
Of the document he read, but NJ. I4abori
announced that he would summon Cap
tain Freystatter, another member of
the tribunal of 1894, and get his version
of what passed behind the backs of the
counsel for the defense. Colonel Mau-
rel felt his position keenly, and con-
tinually hesitated before replying to
Labori's questions.
All this, however, was only prelimi-
nary to a fierce battle that ensued be-
tween M. Labori and General Mercier
the latter receiving reinforcements
from General RoGet, General Gonse and
General de Boisdeffre, as we'll as in
valuable assistance from Colonel Jou-
aust himself.
NJ. Labori took General Mercier over
the whole ground of his previous de-
position. This led to several sharp pas
sages at arms between the advocate
and Colonel Jouaust, who upheld Mer-
cier in refusing to reply to several
questions which, in the general opinion
of those in the court room, were dis
tinctly pertinent. Whenever Gen
eral Mercier was cornered he declined
to answer. and Colonel Jouaust invaria-
bly, supported him. NJ. Labori protest
ed most energetically. His words and
manner breathed the deepest indilA1a-
tion. but the President of the court
martial was infexible.
The intervention of Generals Gonse
Roget and De Boisdeffre and Major
Lauth, who in rapid succession mount
ed the stage or rose in their seats and
interposed remarks. was very exciting
and carried the spectators along on a
wave of breathlessness One after the
other these officers, who were to-day in
full uniform, would jump up and cry
Il demand to be heard and without
further waiting ascend the steps of the
platform and begin a statement in sup
port of a brother officer. Sometimes
four officers were on the stage at the
same time. 1t was a marvellous display
of military clannishness. At one time
a perfect babel of voices reigned fol
several minutes. until Colonel Jouaust
intervened and restored order
NJ. Labori's oss-examination was
successful so far as it went. but Colone
Jouaust prevented him pressing his ad-
vantage to the utmost. In fact, Jou-
aust's hostile attitude toward the coun-
sci for the defense and during the
cross examination of the witness. NJ. de
Grandmaison. evoked the severest OF
criticism on the part of the public pres
ent, and BODIES i'll for Dreyfus. Not only
Colonel Jouaust, but the other judges
displayed considerable impatience dur
ing Labori's scathing cross-examina.
ton, shifting restlessly in their seats
and drumming on the tables with the
tips of their fingers.
General MERCER faced Labori's fire
with calm demeanor, standing on the
platform, his hands behind his bach
and his face only half turned toward
his questioner. Once or twice a. savage
look in the eyes an elevation in the
tone and a swaying to and fro of the
body revealed the inner fires of resent
ment.
General Roget faced the court Will
an air of unblushing effrontery. His
handsome but unsympathetic feature.
expressed the bitterest scorn. as h,
spun on his heel and with arms crossed
faced Labori or the audience or tn,
judges. He is extremely vain, anC
is always striking attitudes for the
benefit of newspaper artists. quite
number of whom regularly attend tht
sessions. His impertinent behavior wa,
strikingly illustrated to-day when HI
interrupted NJ. Uabori's examination o.
General Chanoine which had resulted il
Iabori's scoring heavily against Mer
cier. with the exclamation, This expla
nation is a waste of time
AS a matter of fact, the explanation
of Chanoine showed Mercier in a yer!
bad light as it brought out that he hat
privately communicated to Chanoine OF
the first day of the secret sessions a re
port on the Panizzardi dispatch for in
sertion in the secret dossier Genera
Chanoine admitted that he did wrons
in accepting the report, but pleaded
ignorance in judicial matters The re
port consisted of three pages of the sec
ond and third, Chanone declared. con
tanned fantastic, and in fact, false rep
reservations.
NJ Labori brought General Mercier t,
the bar in reference to this. Mercie
admitted that the reports emanateC
from Du Patty de Clam, but claimed
that he himself did not understand it
contents. though he thought it would b.
interesting and perhaps useful to Chan
oine This explanation was regarded
as very lame and combined with othe
shady actions, would damage Mercie
as a witness in the eyes of an impartia
tribunal.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press saw Madame Labori this after
noon. and conversed with her regarding
her husbands condition. She said h
was progressing rapidly, though still