Omaha daily bee., 1892-02-22
HIS OPINION OF THE COPYRIGHT LAW
American Publishers DO Not Take High
Rank In His Estimation-Some of His
Personal Experiences Recounted
Talk of Politicians.

SlUCB lIe TcSlBudliUH VI bue ucE Sopi-
net, M. Carnot has not yet made up his mind
whom TO call in to succeed them. The prcsi-
dent seems much embarrassed. To politi-
cians however, the whole crisis Is amusing
Every few minutes some fresh
rumor reaches the clubs, the newspaper Of
fees and the ministers. First 1t Is whis-
pered that NJ. Ripot has assumed the pre-
Then we are assured that M.
Constans is the happy individual Each new
report gains credence for time, and each of
course is contradicted
The public and the president alone keep
COOL The excitement Is confined to political
circles and there 1t is deep, so deep, indeed,
that it has almost driven the popos encycli-
cal making peace with the republic from
mems minds Yet that Is more important to
the domestic order than the publication of
the name of the new minister of posts and
telegraphs.
Up TO the hour at which / send you this
message things remain unsettled. 1t Is
thought possible, however, that M de Frey
cinet will retain the war portfolio. by so
doing ne would mako it clear to all that the
army and the defence OF France are moro
important than political rivalries.
The latest news is that President Carnot
merely asked M. Rbot and M. de Freycinet
to retain their portfolios and that NJ de
Freycinet declined to bind himself till the
cabinet is formed. Although Nj. Ribot has
as yet received no official mandate regarding
tho matter. a Ribot ministry is regarded as
extremely probable.
Emile Zola Talks Copyright.
Politics does not monopoze attention.
Paris ls greatly interested in M. Zola's new
novel "La de Baele," the first installment Of
which has just been published. l called on
the famous author today at his house, 81
Rue de Bruxelles. He was in his study
when | entered-a room filled with bric-a-
brac, tapestry and furniture of every period,
the faithful reflection of his own eclectic
mind. The study was we'll supplied with
books. M.'Zola wore his working dress. A
watch chain and gold medallion hung from
one OF his pockets. He was drinking the
third Of the five cups of tea in which he in
dulges every day. l asked him to tell the
Herald the plot of his new book
"The Americans" said he, avoiding di-
rect answer to my question, "are great
people, but they have queer ideas about
literary property. For twenty years past
they have published my works without pay
ing me centime for the privilege. Not sat
isfie6 with this, they have even gone to the
length of putting my name on books never
wrote. For instance concoction called La
File dc Mana is sold in the United States
as my work, though l should blush to be
concerned in it. l fancied that the copyright
laws would make things smooth, but find |
was mistaken. On entering into negotiations
with an American publisher regarding
new work, was sent an agreement to sign,
declaring that if any copies of
the French edition of my book
were allowed to enter the United
States my Paris publisher and / would be
prosecuted for piracy. This was really lit
tie too strong, so l tore up the contract and
concluded another. A second incident then
occurred. The American publishers VINO
had undertaken the translation Of my book
sent me protest, complaining that L had de-
ceived them as to the length of the work,
which was much longer than they fancied,
and would therefore cost more than their
original estimate to publish. 1 sent those
people to the right about too. 1t was,
think, the first time that my publishers had
complained OF getting too much for their
money AS rule the cry is that they get
too little" '- --''. -
1t Is a Story of War.
Then Nj. Zola. who had made these re-
marks without bitterness, but in the tone of
a man who had been rather put out by some
petty trouble, after a short pause went
on: "But You want to know the subject OF
my novel. Well La do Baele' tells the story
of tho war of 1870. 1t is divided into three
parts, each containing eight chapters. The
first deals with the events which preceded
Sedan. In the second we come to the battle
a
gle narrated with great minuteness. The
third and last part narrates the sufferings Of
the Frencb prisoners and peasants, during
the occupation OF France by the Germans
and brings us to the commune, o.. ~, r..
There is Very little love IN the story. In
the middle of the narrative have introduced
two soldiers, one peasant aud the other a
lawyer They swear friendship during the
war Both desert, aud the peasant kills the
lawyer. In those two characters Ihave SYM
bolized rural France, which is the real
| France.
1T has been said that in my book had at
| tempted to defend war in general. This is
! false. / believe that war is both inevitable
and abominabe. My object was TO say TO
| my compatriots See what war means
| Look what awaits you il you rush into war.
| Live we'll that you may be prepared to die
| we'll. l never aimed at iustifying wars. 1t
| Is monstrous."
What His Next viii lie.
NJ Zola said all this In an excited way and
twas clear he was wrapped up in his theory.
In answer TO further question he said that
| "La de Bacle' would De the longest of his
works. 1t will appear in book form on June 20.
NJ. Zola's next ano last work will complete
the Rougon Macqusrt series. 1t will tell
the story of doctor in small provincial
town and will sum up the authors views on
heredity. The novel will be based on the
true tale OF the great savant, Claude Ber-
nard, and his wife aud daughter, who were
once compelled 70 destroy some papers
| OF great scientific moment When
he has completed the Rougou Mac
quart series M. lola intends TO write
q novel on French neo-catholicism.
This viii end his laoors as a novelist
Thenceforward he will do his best to trans
plant his realistic theories TO the stage thus