The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-23

4 ~
knowledge regarding the translation Of
the document i'm question
| AZ this NJ. Labor called the atten-
tion of witness to the cautious nature
Of his reply and asked him now The
document came into the possession of
| General Mercier General Mcrcier
| thought the witness was NOT Justified
| in answering it. But, in reply 10 fur
Their queries, MERCER declared he tock
the full responsibility for the trnnsa-
ton submitted to the court.
Thereupon NJ. Labor pointed cat that
when the document was produced Gene-
| raj MERCER was no longer Minister CT
! War, and asked what right lncn, had
he to have in his possession a document
which was q state document
! General MERCER did not rep,y.
| Counsel then asked what right had
| General MERCER to retain possession of
| all the documents iii the secret dos
sier.
| General MERCER was silent
| NJ. Labor: II am asking for the
official responsibility and | make note
Of the fact that it is refused. | will
reserve the right to take all the meas
ures which / think proper" (Sensation).
Counsel added that he later would ask
Colonel Jouaust to recall General Mpr-
cier and would put numerous questions
to him to which, however. counsel add
ed, he could foresee the General would
refuse to reply. prolonged sensation).
Dreyfrls then made a statement re-
garding passage of Rollins evidence
referring to the searches made IN his
(Dreyfus) residence in 1894.
Everything" said the prisoner, was
seized without exception"
Colonel Jouaust: Some of the pages
were missing of your notes taken at
the lectures given by the military col
lege. That has been the subject of re
mark
Dreyfrs: NO, my Colonel, not in
1894" (Sensation).
Ferret, former Secretary of the
Ministry of War, then told of finding
Dreyfus and civilian in the War Of
flee out of office hours, apparently pry-
ing for information. Witness was asked
why he had not testified to this in
1894 but he could give no good reason
Dreyfus protested against this evil
dence, terIning it vile insinuation CON
cocted by former Minister of War"
Great sensationl.
The prisoner said it was most difficult
for civilian to obtain entry to the Wa?
Office.
The prosecution undertook to refute
this statement by citing instances. Drey.
fus retorted that if these cases were true
there had been gross negligence in the
office, for the rules were very strict.
Maitre Demange added that if civilians
had such easy access TO the document
rooms others besides officers might have
secured contraband information.
Lieutenant Colonel Berlin, who was
chief of Dreyfus' bureau in 1894, follow
ed. He gave the prisoner a bad reputa-
ton for curiosity and negligence ON his
work. but insisted that he had mastered
a large part of the eastern mobilization
problem.
At the conclusion of his deposition the
witness declared he never ordered Drey-
fus to procure information concerning
the entire net work of railroads, (which
the prisoner sought to acquire from Cap
tain Cuignet.
Replying to questions ON the subject of
the alleged nntinely visit of Dreyfus to
his office, Witness said that the plans
were kept in his office, and that Dreyfus
knew the word necessary to open the
press containing them.
Lieutenant Colonel Berth protested
his belief in the guilt of Dreyflis, and
though lMaitre Den1lange tried to trap
him as to conversations on the subject
with NJ. Schuerer-Kestner and others,
he would not be shaken
He denied that the religious question
had arisen during Dreyfus' term at head
quarters, saying that he was received
not as Jew, but as a comrade.
M Labor asked the courts leave. with
the permission of Lieutenant Colonel
Berlin, to question the witness on DEF
icate subject He referred, continued
counsel, to remark made by Berlin at
a DINNER ut which NJ I4albori was pres
ent at the house of mutual friend, a
fortnight after the degradation of Drey-
fus.
Il have absolute confidence in the good
faith of Lieutenant Colonel Berlin, add
ed NJ. Labori, land | am convinced that
if his recollections are exact enough ne
will NOT hesitate to reply"
Berlin asked the lawyer to mention the
name of the mutual friend who gave the
dinner. NJ labor whispered the name
and the witness nodded assent.
NJ. Labor: 'fDo you remember that
you We're among the first to suggest 10
me the belief in the innocence of Drey
fus."
Berlin: "No, no, it is impossible"
M Labor: Does the witness renem-
ber that during the course of the dinner
he became excited in talking about Drey-
fus?''
The Lieutenant Colonel pointed out
that the terms of intimacy which pre-
vailed at the dinner must be taken into
account.
"a do not forget" said NJ. Labori, ''but
| ann referring especially to the SOME
what strong remarks YOU made against
Demange. Did you not say to me when
/ spoke of Maitre Demange's belief in
the innocence of Dreyfus:
"Dcmange! Don't mention him! He Is
counsel for the German embassy
(Clies of "Oh" Ohw)
NJ. Berth: IF remember | will re-
ply. / ann here to tell the truth, and will
tell all know. am here for the truth,
like you"
nj. Labor: "When / asked why You
said that NJ Demannge already defended
other spies, and that he was an official
defender"
lieutenant Colonel Berth admitted