The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-25
mon mentioned in the bordereau. and Col.

Ihult tnht was not prefent TO crosS-eLamin0
the witness at the proper time"
Ho continued by demanding his rights so
vigorously that Col. Jouaust finally withdrew
his objection. and after asking permission to
cit. Labori read extracts from dispositions in re-
gard to tho "120" cannon and the Madagascar
items.
After the reading N. Labor ask ed Mercier
why he had made no report Of DreyfuBs alleged
confession to Capt. Lebrun- Renaud.
Gen. Mercier-" Because then considered
the affair completely at an end"
NJ Labor then took up EsterhAzy. asking
Gen. MERCER what he thought OF him.
Gen. Mercier-"1t Is unnecessary for me to
appraise Fsterhazy's conduct"
NJ Labori-"You know. OF course. about the
EsterhaEy trial1"
Col Jousust-" The witness need not an
swer."
H. Labori-"Will the witness inform us II he
can prove his assertion that syndicate with
$4,000 600 francs had been formed TO save
Dreyfus2"
Gen. Mercier-"I had precise evidence on
that point"
NJ. Labori having used the word "interroga-
toire " in referring to the witness. Col. Jouaust
vigorously interposed declaring that Gen.
Mercier was not an accused person and there
was q lively wrangle for few moments boz
tween N. Labor. Col. Jouaust and Gen. Mer-
oier
HIS HxoUsB FOR THE SECRET DossIER.
When Mercier's examination was resumed,
N. Labor asked why IL was moro dangerous
to communicate the secret dossier TO the
court-martial In 1894 than the bordereau IT.
self.
Gen. Mercier-"Beoause IL would have dis
closed the name OF the power to which tho
bordereuu was addressed. and also the name
Of the attache."
NJ. LAoori questioned Gen. Mercier In regard
70 document in the secret dossier containing
the words: I'VE will dine Friday evening at
O'Clock at Laurents house with two friends
and a jaw" This piece served as the basis OF
Henry's forReryl
Gen. Mercier denied all knowledge Of tho
document,
Gen. aonse interposed and said that this
piece was found In 1896.
Gen. Roget added: This piece was found IN
the War once files In 1895. but several
officers knew OF II In 1894. The later date was
put On 1t by Du Patty de Clam"
Ten Major Lauth and ii. Gribelin Joined
Gems. Gonse. Mercier and Roget on the dals.
oil talking at once. and Col. Jouaust and Major
Carriere with sone difficulty finally succeeded
in restoring order.
n. Labor demanded to know why this piece
which would have been q crushing blow
against Dreyfus II genuine. was not produced
in 1894.
Gems. Gonse and Mercier both replied that
they did not know II then.
NJ Labor severely questioned Gen. Nercier !
In regard to his transmitting Du Patty de
CLAIMS summary OF the case against Drey fus |
to the court-martial OF 1894. which summary |
Mercler afterward destroyed
Gen. Mercier insisted that this was private |
document. prepared for his own convenience. |
and he had right to destroy 1t. By error II
had been sent to the court-martial with the So
cret dossier.
COURT DEFEATED NJ. LABoRIs EFFORTS.
The cross exa animation OF Gen Meroier with
the intervening incidents occupied nearly two
hours. and the !usals OF the witness to answer,
the Presidents interpretations in his behalf and
tho interruptions OF other generals awaited
practically to defeat II. Labori's efforts to bring
out fresh information or important admis-
siors.
Col Risbourg was the next witness. He re-
peated the testimony he gave before the Court
OF Cessation to tho effect that Capt. Lebrun-
henaud had quoted Dreyfus as having prac-
ticaly confessed his guilt ON tho day OF his
degradation.
pREYFUss DENIAL OF THE ALLEGED CON-
FEssIoN
Dreyfus rose to reply. making tho most en-
phatic denial he has yet given OF this story.
i have repeated over and over again." he
said. that am innocent and wanted to cry
my innocence in the face Of the people"
Dreytus recalled Du Patty do CLAIMS cunning
ATTEMPTS to induce him to plead extenuating
circumstances and his absolute refusal to do so.
n. Demange recalled Gen. MERCER and asked |
him why he had not sent Judge to obtain
Dreyfus's formal ayowal when he heard that
the prisoner had confessed.
Dreytus interposed before Mercer could
answer. demanding to know why he had not
been informed of Lebrun- Renaud's statements
before he was transported to DEVILS Island. so
that he could have replied to them.
Gen. Mercler sat down without making any
audible reply.
NM. Cure. Billet. and Capiaux gave unim-
portant testimony in regard to Esterhazy and |
Picquart. Caplaux insisted that NJ. Leblols.
Pirquart's lawyer. visited the War ONCE In
feptcmbe.. 1850. when the witness saw him
handing papers there.
N. Labori demolished this evidence by read
ins u deposition. showing that NJ. Leblois was
not IN Paris in that month.
jules Roche. who was Esterhazy's patron on |
account Of his wife md children. gave unim-
portant testimony. In the course OF which he |
criticised Gen. MERCER. and this brought tho |
doughty General to his feet again In self |
defence.
L.
After the recess NJ. Desvernines. tho detective |
agent who was assigned by Picquart to watch |
Esterhazy. was called. He described n visit |
made by EsterhaZy to the German En- bassy on |
Oct. 49, 1928.
N. Labor. turning to Gen. Roget asked that |
officer what he thought OF Esterhazy's conduct, |
from the point OF view OF the syndicate which |
Roget had described.
Eoget--'I won't appraise Esterhazy. All the |
world knows about the syndicate."
nj. Labori persisted in putting haunting aues-
tons Roget rapidly losing his temper and Col. |
Jouaust intorposlng in his behalf Finally |
RoG.t. in response to another question. said: |
Il answered N. Demangs; l will not answer
you"
Nj. 1Rbori repeated the question and Gen.
Roget reped: Il decline to oonfide my
thnGsh!s to NJ. Labor"
This question was repeated tho third time. /
namelJ. what was thought OF Esterhazy at the
German Embassy. wheroupon Gen. Roget
turned white and trembling with rage left the