Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-14
CALLS MERGER down.
Ex- President Casimir- Perier Con.
fronts the General and Denies
Many Of His Statements.
Accused Of Exaggerating Incident
Relative to Berlin Telegram
War Not Imminent.


Shooting Of Labori Lets Mercier Off
Oheaply Mrs Crawford's View
Of Evidence.
Rennes, Aug. 1A-The Dreyfus court
martial reconvened this morning at 7:20.
Maitre Demange, of Dreyfus' counsel,
announced that though Labori's wound
was less serious than at first supposed,
1t would be Impossible for him to take
part in the proceedings.
Gen. Mercier was recalled to the wit
ness. stand. Mercier was at once con-
fronted with ex-President Casimer-
Perier, as arranged at the close Of Sat-
urday's session. Casimer-Perier de-
clared Mercier's story as to the immi-
nence Of war between France and Ger
many grossly exaggerated. He COM
planned Of the action of Mercier, who
was then minister of war, in moving
so, 600 troops to the frontier without con-
sulting him.
AS 1t was Labori's task to take Mer-
cier in hand and as Demange. associate
counsel, was totally unprepared for the
task, the few questions he asked had
little effect and Mercier escaped cheap
~.
laN h
ed his belief that Esterhazy, in spite of
the latter's own confession, was not the
author Of the bordereau. Col. Jouaust
asked Casimer-Perier to explain the cir
cumstances Of the confession Dreyfus
is alleged to have made to Capt. Lebrun
Renault. Casimer-Perier insisted that
he never received any condolences of
this character from Renault, adding
that Dupuy, then premier, was present
when Renault was called. Moreover" :"
said Casimer-Perier, there is letter
from Dupuy, which ask to be read"
The letter asserted that Renault, when
questioned by Dupuy, replied that Mer-
cier had sent him to the president to re-
ceive dressing down for his indiscreet
disclosures to the Figaro. Mercier in
lterposed. saying: "Lebrun Renault
spoke to me in regard to the confessions
in the presence Of Gen. Gonse, who will
testify thereto. 1t was then ordered
him to go to the president of the repub-
| lie"
Regarding Mercier's declarations Sat
urday, Casimer-Perier said: "Mercier
had no right whatever to intervene in
the diplomatic conversation. I would
have prevented such interference. 1t
was l alone who conferred with the
minister. I declare the impression de-
rived from that conversation was one
of complete calm; otherwise the Incl
dent would not have been closed by
framing note. We had no telegram
from Berlin that evening. 1t was in re-
Berlin. If there had been any news in
regard to the matter on the evening of
the 9Th we should not have waited till
the 9Th to publish the nate. No dispatch
was addressed to friendly power rela-
tive to the incident. The incident has
been magnified. Besides, in event of
diplomatic negotions. the president
would have communicated with the
| minister OF foreign affairs.'
Mercier replied that he went to the
Elysee palace as minister of war. Gen.
De Boisdeffre could testify as to the
orders received. Demange insisted that
MERCER repeat the statement that he
had given Boisdeffre orders on the 9Th
relative to mobilization. Casimer-Per-
| Ter said he did not reply to certain of
Mercier's insinuations. "I do not wish
to answer them, he said. "The cir
cumstances are too sad and too tragic
for me to desire to envenom discussion.
I am master OF myself and my con-
science. I would only state that Mer-
cier has made every effort to mix me as
deeply as possible in this affair, but /
have remained aloof, during the prog
ress of the investigation
Casimer-Perier complained of the in
correct behavior of his subordinate to-
wards the chief of state.
After Cavaignac and Hanotaux, for
mer minister of foreign affairs, had tes-
titled, court adjourned till Wednesday.
Gen. Blot, former minister of war.
testified that in the early days Of his
administration Scheurer- Kestner, Of
the senate, asked him whether he ought
not to investigate the Dreyfus affair.
He, witness, recommended prudence.
Finally Scheurer-Kestnert told the wit
ness he believed Dreyfus innocent;
witness was not satisfied of Dreyfus'
innocence.
Blot spoke of Col. Picquart, saying
he held him in the highest esteem, as he
had given valuable information about
neighboring army and it's artillery.
which showed the necessity of reform
ing the French artillery as commenced
by that great initiator Mercier. =,
Blot protested against the allegation
that he wan,ed to send Picquart- where
he would never return. He said devo-
ton to the country and army and
anxiety respecting the secrets of ma