The record-union., 1898-02-23
N. Laborie Resumes His Argument
for the Defense.
Chrono!ogicalIy Reviews the Case From the
Arrest of Alfred Ersyfus.
Deals With the rt-Martiafs
Decision to Conduct the Trial
in Secret, in Spite of the Pro-
tests Of the Press-Solemnly
Atfirms That There Was NO
Proof of Dreyfus' Guilt.

PARIS. Feb. 22-The precincts and
Hobbies of the Palace of Justice We're
deserted to-day, the fourteenth day or
the trial of Nm. Zola and Perrieux, for
the allegations which the former
brought in the Aurora, published by
the latter against the conduct OF the
EsterhaZy court-martial. The Asslzes
Court itself was lhronged.
NJ. Iaborie, counsel for VI. Zola, re-
sumed his argument for the defense
He chronologically reviewed the case
from the arrest of Alfred Dreyfus,
pointing out that as Major Patty Du
Clam interdicted Dreyfus from speak
ing, the announcement of his arrest
published by the "Libre Parole" and
..Eclaire," must have been communl-
Gated by the Ministry for War.
Continuing. NJ Laborie charged the
'Libre Parole and 'Eclaire" with "
ing regarding the guilt of Dfeyfus,
and referred to Major Patty Du cam 5
attempt to intinidate Dreyfus ana 10
Major Forsirettis belief in the latter
innocence He also dealt with the
court-martiafs decision to conduct the
trial in secret in spite of the protests
of the press He said this was the
reason of the unceasing protests IN be-
half of Dreyfus, which troubled all
high minded persons adding The
strength of those of our adVersaries
who are acting in good faith hes IN
their belief that the whole affair was
conducted with justice and legality but
the facts do not bear out this belief
(Murmurs)
Counsel for the defense then declared
that eight months prior to the arrest
of Dreyfus the Ministry of War pos
sessed photographs of the paper con-
tanning the expression, That scoun-
drel of a D. and showing that
French officer had relations with two
foreign military attaches. This docu-
ment, NJ. Laborie pointed out, did not
refer to Dreyfus; but, all the same, the
culpability of Dreyfus was founded
upon it, and it was the document
which the veiled lady handed to Major
Esterhazy. the latter only surrendering
it to the Minister of War on securing
a receipt.
Referring to General MERCER, NJ. La
borie said: Maybe he is brave sol
diar. Iut he is not familiar with great
affairs. In the absence of proofs, he
substituted his own arbitrary impress
sion, and thus had an innocent man
condemned
Counsel, after reading an account Of
the court martial, added: Il nave AL
the papers concerning the affair in NY
hands. and | solemnly affirm that there
is nothing in them against Dreyfvs.
pledge you my honor, gentlemen, that
there is nc proof against Dreyfus.
NJ. I.aborie then gave a moving de-
scription of the degradation of Dfey-
fus. lie recalled that amid shouts OF
death from the pitiless crowd, Drey-
fus had not ceased to cry Vie ia
France and swear, upon the heads Of
his wife and children, that he was COM
pletely innocent. 'Dreyfus," ". La
borie asserted, only appealed for one
act of nercy-tGnat the Ministry should
continue the inquiry" (Comrotion)
After this NJ Laborie read a series,
of letters written by Dreyfus to counsei
and 10 his family, in which the prisoner
always demanded that the real eulprt
should be sought, and added: Ii NJ.
Meline cid not produce the report OF
CAPTAIN LIE BrunRenault, it was be-
cause the vehement protestations OF ~
nocence of Dreyfus troubled his mind,
and for the moment his sentence Of
judicial rectitude had prevailed over
his conception of political considera-
ton" (Sensation)
After the court adjourned NJ. La
borie received a veritabie ovation, clies
of viva Laborie" mingled with coun-
ter cries Of ''Vive le armee" and "Abas
les Jufs." The public emerged from
the court in a state of excitement. out
there was no disorder
NJ. Laborie will continue his address
tomorrow.
EFFORTS TO INFLUENCE JURORS
LONDON, Feb. 23.-The Paris cor
respondent of the Daily News" says:
The greatest efforts are being made
outside the courtroom to influence the
jurymen by threats or Establishments.
Yesterday CTuesday) each juryman fe-
ceived an anonymous letter promising
the sum of E400 if Nj. Zola should be
acquitted. The letters, of course, en-
anated from the same source as the for
geries by which it was sought to prove
the existence of. a Dreyfus syndicate.
NJ. Zola throughout the day was cool
and collected. l can vouch from per-
SOHdt ASSURANCE tlielt iiC - Hah1@ t-'N-A
ferent as TO the result of the trial, so far
as his own person is concerned. Several
of his intimate friends, as well as ais
wife would not be sorry if he were con-
demned to three months imprisonment.
as that would be an apt conclusion or
one Of the most dramatic trials of the
century. Popular passion against him
has been famed to such fury that an
acquittal would make his position most
uncomfortable, while. If he were SEN
tenced to Imprisonment popular opinion
would perhaps soften and relent.
The final daring and eloquent passage
of NJ Laborie's speech evoked an out
burst of applause, lasting nearly thirty
minutes His friends rushed forward 10
congratulate him. NJ. Zoia, who was
terribly excited. threw his arms around
NJ Laborie's neck and kissed him. Mean-
while violent quarrels broke out in the
courtroom After NJ. Laborie's men
ton of Pontius plate as the name
which occupies in history the most hu-
initiating place." somebody exclaimed,
After that of Judas The whole audi
ence yelled Judas" A young officer
insulted several Jews and demanded
that they be expelled. Free fights en-
sued. in the Iobbies and passage of the
Paiais de Justice as the guards cleared
the precincts.