Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-24

attention to that article. He added that
he paid no more attention to the eulog1es
of the Libre Parole than to the statements
of other newspapers.
Replying to further questions, the general
said that when Dreyfus was arrested he
knew of no other proof against him than
the bordereau. There were. therefore. only
suspicious. but it was urgently necessary
not to lose time in arresting him in order
to stop the reasonable practices.
NJ. Labor here asked Col. Jouaust to Sc
cure the evidence of NJ. Papiland, editor of
the Lfbre Parole in regard to the 'Dixi'
letters, in which the name of Dreyfus was
disclosed as the officer arrested for espion-
age.
AS Col. Jouaust hesitated. NJ Labor in
sisted upon the necessity for an exanlina-
tion of Papilland. lin order to reach the
truth | seeking for
1.-The whole responsibility for this case,
counsel added Il believe. really rests upon
the late Lieut.. Col. Henry and Col. du
Patty de Clam
Resuming his examination of Gen. Mer-
cier. NJ. Labori asked him several questions
as to why, at the first acribed date of the
bordereau, April, Gen. Mercier said In 1894,
that he was only acquainted with the rea-
sons which existed for believing Dreyfus
guilty and had not paid much attention to
the details.
Refused to Answer Many Questions.
The general refused to reply to many of
the questions. For instance. he declined to
advanced against Dreyfus.
NJ Labori-'Tn short, you considered it in
the nature of sensational move to have
Dreyfus prosecuted and sentenced. Did you
examine previously the charges against
Dreyfus?'
General Mercier-.T only examined the
nature of the documents betrayed
NJ Labori-'Was it not necessary for that
purpose to fix the date of the bordereau?
General Mercier-"I do not think so. Fur
Their. l declare MaitFe Labor is discussing
the whole trial of 1894. That may have
some interest from a historical point of
view, but, since the court of cessation
quashed the judgment, it seems to me that
1t is not for us now to revert to the various
features of that trial.
NJ Labor pointed out the contradictions
in he evidence of the officers of the head
quarters staff regarding the Importance and
nature of the contents of the bordereau,
and asked Gen. MERCER where Dreyfus
could have obtained particulars about the
pneumatic brake?
The general holly objected to being asked
to repeat his evidence, and NJ. Labor,
equally warm. said:
~ am only asking for definite state
ments."
MERCER then said he thought Drevfus
might have had cognizance of the brake
al Bourges, adding:
.'In any case he had a better chance to
obtain such knowledge than Esterhazy
could possibly have had.
NJ Labori-Gen. MERCER says Dreyfus
might have had cogniZance. I desire to en-
phasize that expression. We shall now
prove Dreyfus could not have cognZance
of the brake.
Brakes Construction Kept Secret.
Counse. proceeded to demonstrate how
vigorously the secret of the construction of
the brake was guarded. and asked WHY. in
1884. the charges regarding the Robin
Melinite shells were not dwelt upon?
Gen. Mercier-That arises on the simple
fact that it was not known until 1896 or
1897 that information on the subject was
being divulged. The existence of treachery
in regard to the distribution of heavy ar
tlllery among the army corps was unknown
until 1885.
The passages at arms between NJ Labor
and Cen MERCER were followed with the
keenest interest. Both men We're wary and
mutually suspicious of each other and
there was considerable acerbity, Col.
Jouaust at times finding difficulty in pre-
venting the discussion from wandering out
side legal paths.
Continuing. Nj. Labor asked why Gen.
MERCER did not have a report prepared re-
garding the confessions Dreyfus is alleged
to have made to Capt. Lebrun- Renault
Mercier-The question OF the confessions
was Of no Importance, as a revision of the
case seemed impossible.
NJ. Labori-What does General MERCER
think of EsterhaZy and the part he payed?
General Mercier-I do not know Esterhazy
and do not think about him at all.
NJ. Labori-Did he know him at his trial
in 1888?
General Mercier-No. O.
Colonel Jouaust--General MERCER was not
minister of war then.
NJ. Labori-This is most interesting Cen
eral MERCER declares he knows nothing of
the trial of 1888
General Mercier-I know nothing of it,
leave that to the courl-martial which tried
Esterhazy. l have only TO answer in court
for my acts, and l refuse you the right to
question m
TOM
Colonel Jouaust. addressing NJ Labori.
said:
.'Tou are reverting to the evidence of Cen
erat Mercier?'
NJ Labori-My object in interrogating the
witness is TO revert to his evidence.
Protest From Mercier.
General Mercier-I protest against the
word ''interrogatory, for / am not pris.
oner.
Mote: Interrogatory, in French law gen.
orally applies to the examination of an ac-
cused person by magistrate)
NJ. Labort-ft is not a question of interrog-
atory. l used the word in most respectful
sense Will General MERCER say what he
means for the charge preferred against the
partisans of Dreyfus of having spent 81
@o,oW francs. What was this sum used
for? The amount is simply ridiculous
General Mercier-1 might just well
ask you. (Sensation.)
NJ. Labori-Do you mean to suggest that
1t was spent in advertisements and in buy
ing consciences?
General Mercier-I say nothing whatever.
Counsel neXt wished to know why the
bordereau was communicated to the court
martial of 1894. when it was considered
impossible to show the other documents of
the secret dosSier
General Marcier-Because the bordereau
was not dated signed, and its place of
origin could be concealed.
NJ. Labor pointed out that the place Of
origin had been mentioned in court and
then asked for explanations in regard to
the preparation of the 1894 forgery.
The cross-exanination of General Mercier
became more and more heated. and so rapid
the answers were confusing
AS the questions of counsel touched upon
the secret dossier and a certain document
in blue pencil General Gonse, General Ro-
get, NJ Gribelin and Major Lauth also
participated in the discussion, which al
most degenerated into a wrangle.
JOuaust Orders Silence.
The government commissary, Major Car
riere. protested against such discussion,
and Col Jouaust ordered silence.
The commissary said an attempt was be-
ing made to show there was a fresh forg-
cry. which was used for purposes of COM
parisons to which NJ Labori retorted that
Major Carriere was mistaken. The ten