The Indianapolis journal., 1899-08-25
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
Testimony of Mauriel and others and
CrOss-ExaminatiOno Of Mercier.

RENNES, Aug. 24-At the ope ming of the
proceedings this morning Colonel Jouaust
ordered that the evidence of Penot, friend
Of the late Colonel Sandherr, chief of the
intelligence department be read by the
court, which was done. This testimony,
as given before the Court of Cessation, set
forth that Colonel Sandherr told NJ. Penot
that the brothers of Dreyfus had offered
10000 francs to settle the case, adding that
Sandherr was so incensed at the proposal
that he ordered them out Of his office NJ
Demange, as a counterblast, read note
written by Sandherr the same day the in
terview with the brothers Dreyfus took
place. 1t appeared from this note that the
brothers imagined plot was being Matched
against Captain Dreyfus because he was
Jew. They maintained the captains inno-
cence, and declared they would do every
thing in their power to obtain his reinstate-
| ment, saying that If necessary they would
spend their whole fortune to arrive at the
truth and would do everything TO that end.
Counsel pointed out that there were serious
discrepancies between NJ. Penot's written
| statement that money was offered and Col.
| Sandherrs letter.
At the request of NJ. Labori the president
OF the court permitted NJ. Linolle, former
official of the government, to testify. The
witness said he had also dined at NJ. Bod
| sons, in company with Dreyfus, and de-
cared he did not believe Dreyfus was capa-
| BILE Of the crime for which he had been sem
| fenced.
NJ Labori-Were there any foreigners at
M. Bodson's house.
NJ. Linolle-I do not remember.
M. Labori-Do you remember seeing any
foreign diplomats there?
NJ. Linolle-Not at all. Besides, NJ. Bod
son was not of foreign extraction. He was
the son of an Orleans vinegar merchant.
| There was considerable stir In court when
the name of Colonel Maurel who was presl-
dent of the Dreyfus court-martial of 1894,
was called and the colonel appeared at the
witness bar. He started by emphatically
denying that any communication, verbal or
written, was made to the members OF the
court during the course of the trial. He
said they only knew the case from the
documents in the dossier and the testimony
given. Then the colonel, saying he only
desired to speak of matters on which his
recollection was clear, proceeded to declare
that he had nothing to say in regard to the
expert evidence of NJ. Charavay, NJ. Teys-
sonieres or NJ. Pellitier, but he added that
Bertillon's testimony appealed to the eyes
that the judges did not understand it, bu:
that was not true.
Regarding the evidence given at the court
martial of 1894, witness said he considered
that Major Du Patty de Clam had only
given the court circumspect repetition OF
his report, while the late Lieutenant Colonel
Henrys evidence would have been more
forcible II less exaggerated. At the same
time, Maurel continued, he believed Henry
had spoken without hatred or passion. The
prisoners attitude at the trial was correct
ard calm. His repeated denials and protests
were far from astonishing the witness: They
seemed perfectly natural. The only letter
handed to Colonel Maurel during the course
of the trial was not brought by Colonel
Picquart. The letter, moreover, was re-
turned the same evening to the officer who
brought 1t.
EXAMINED BY LABoRI.
Replying TO NJ. Labori Maurel said he
did not know General Mercier and had
never seen him since the trial until June
last.
NJ. Labori-Can Colonel Maurel tell us to
wfat he attributes the secret communica-
ton OF the dossier.
Colonel Maurel-I have not the slightest
idea.
NJ. Labori-Can you tell the name of the
officer who brought you the private letter?
Colonel Maurel-It was Du Patty de Clam.
| (Sensation.)
NJ. Labori-Were there many documents In
this secret dossier? Can you state what
| they were?
Colonel Maurel-I only saw one of them.
I die not look at the others, because my
| mind was already made up.
At
| court also made up their minds?
Colonel Maurel-Yes.
Witness added that two members Of the
| court confided TO him on this subject
| NJ. Labori-Can you tell US how. knowing,
| as the Judge. that 1T was your duty to seek
| conscientiousy for information and to ex-
| pect sincere communications from the pub
| lie prosecutor, that is to say, communica-
| tions setting forth all the points in the case,
both for and against the prisoner. you could
| be OF the opinion that your mind was 10y
| ally made up after reading a single docu-
ment? prolonged sensation)
Colonel Maurel said he failed to clearly
/ grasp the question. and VI. Labori repeated
| his query. whereupon the witness replied
| that he could not answer because IL he did
| he would have TO speak OF the first docu-
ment in the dossier. which convinced the
| court OF the prisoners guilt"
At this point NJ. Labori said he would like
| TO confront Colonel Maurel with Captain
| Freystater. another Of the judges at the
court-martial OF 1894. But Freystater was
not present and Colonel Maurel promised
| TO wait few days and give the Captain an
| opportunity OF attending. A lively incident
| followed
NJ. Labori having asked leave to inter-
| rogate General Mercier. the government
| commissary. Major Carriere. took occasion
| to remark that while counsel had the right
| TO ask questions. he had no business to draw
| deductions. TO which the lawyer dryly re-
Continued ON Third PngeD