Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-07
.zoLA's TRIAL BEGINS
Tremendous Crowds Flock to the Court to
b b Hear It.
Precautions Against OHtbreaks-De-
fenlant ,tppenrs In the Dock
anN IL, Very Pale.

PARISH FEBRUARY THE trial of M.
Emile lola. who is being prosecuted by the
government as a result of the letter which
he wrote last December to the Aurore,
strongly rejecting upon high officials con-
rected with the Dreyfus case. opened today
in the assize court of the Seine. The most
keen public interest was manifested in the
case. Hundreds of people surrounded the
court. anxious to gain admittance The
police measures taken to insure order were
most rigorous.
The crowds increased in number all the
morning. The arrival of Henri Rochefort
was the signal for shouts of ''vive Roche
fort, and counter cries of "a has Roche
fort"
Turning in the direction CT the hostile
cries. M. Rocbefort shouted: 1T would
seem that with four of you at five francs
piece, the Dreyfus syndicate will not be
ruined
NJ. Zola, who arrived in a carriage
shortly afterwards, was greeted with
vehement shouts of 'Conspuez Zola'' (Spit
upon Zola.)
One Shouting "Vive ZoIa."
An Individual who shouted "vive lola"
was promptly hustled and suppressed
The proceedings commenced at 1 pm,
under the presidency of NJ. DeLegorgue
who announced that the court would be
cleared If there was any demonstration
Although the court was thronged, quiet
Was maintained owing to the knowledge
mat company of republican guards had
peen placed at the disposal of the judge to
preserve order
While the jury was being selected NJ
lola entered the dock. He was pale A
lew cries of ''Vive lola" were promptly
suppressed by the vigorous protests of the
majority of the audience.
After the reading of the Indictment, the
advocate general explained that the charge
was strictly limited to the passage In NJ.
Zola's letter denouncng the Esterhazy
Court-martial
Continuing, the advocate general said it
was imperative to prevent the proceedings
from wandering, and thus playing into the
hands of the accused, whose aim is to get
revision of the Dreyfus affair by cir
cuitous route"
Experts Plea Denied.
AT this juncture three experts in hand
writing. who were charged, in NJ Zola's
letter. with making fraudulent reports.
asked permission to appear in the action as
private prosecutors. but M. Laborie, coun-
sci for M. lola, objected, and the court up
held him.
In regard to the limitation of the scope
of the trial. the court decided to allow the
accused to call evidence In support of the
other charges contained in his letter. in
Guiding the accusations which he made
against Colonel Patty Du Clam and Generals
Mercier Boisdeffre, Billot and Pellieux
After reading the names of the witnesses
summoned, NJ Delegorgue read a number
of letters Of excuse, including one from the
minister of justice, NJ. Darlan. announcing
that the minister of war, General Billot
had not received the authority of the cab
met to testify. M. Delegorgue also read a
letter from ex-President Casimir- Perier,
saying hehcould not testify except as to
facts subsequent to his presidency.
Colonel Patty Du Clam was then called
and refused to testify
M. Labdtie urged the Importance Of his
testimony adding that unless the court
ordered the witness to testify he might be
compelled to demand an adjournment un-
til the next sessions Counsel also said he
was not prepared to oppose a secret trial.
If 1t was absolutely necessary. But. con-
tinued NJ tLaborie, the allegation that the
matter they were discussing was connect
ed with state secrets and the national
defense was a mere Joke.
National Defense No Joke.
The advocate general thereupon protest.
ed against the national defense being called
a joke to which NJ. Laborie hotly replied
that he would permit no one, not even the
advocate general, to cast suspicion upon
his patriotism. (Cheers.)
The hearing of the case was adjourned
at pm. There was no other sensational
incidents. n