The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-09
zOLA'S BRAVE STRUGGLE.
THE FIGHT HE Is HAGING AGA1NsT
sUPPREssIN9 THE zRUZH.

". Tell, His Judges He wants the Libsrty =
rh,es Has TO DEFEND mimseiE-Count nster-
,.,y Accused OF Comnittins the Crime FOR
which Dreyrus sunsrs-He NEST Testify.
Special Gable Dispatches to TEE SUI
paris. Fob. s.-The trial of N. lola hns al.
r,ndy developed one Of the most extraordinary
.peotacles In modern French history. A single
spisode of to.day's exciting session will sufnco
N make memorable tho hopeless struggle tho
great novelist is wsging against the Amazing
national conspiracy for the suppression Of truth
and Justice by tho responsible authorities Of
France.
The President of the court, at the opening Of
Hhe session. repeated his decision not to allow
any facts relating to the Drcyfus case to come
70 light Thereupon NJ. lola. addressing his
Judges, said:
II expect to be treated as asssssins and
thieves are treated, to have like them liberty to
defend myself, to prove my good faith. A base
prers has treated me for months like o bandit.
II has melted mobs against me-. and attacked
me IN a thousand ways. Now that the hour
hss come for me to reply. I demand the right to
make my defence
Tho President said: 1.-THE Court has decided
20 the contrary by ruling out all facts foreign to
tho complaint Of the Minister Of War. You
know the law forbids."
N. lola replied: az do not know the law. and
lido not wish to know It."
At this point the speaker was interrupted by
n violent demonstration on the part Of the spec
,ators. When he could make himself heard M.
Zola continued: VERY well. will mako the
fury the judges of my situation and leave my
self in their hands"
Tho President thereupon scientifically re-
marked: do what you like; draw whnteyor
conclusions you choose"
Another dramatic scene occurred when ex-
President Casimir Perier, forbidden BY tho Court
TO answer the questions Of NJ. Zola's lawyer, de-
clared: II am u simple citizen and am ready to
obey the orders Of the judicial authorities of my
country"
Tho decision of the Court Of Assizes in regard
10 the protests OF Maitre Labor, counsel for NJ.
lola, against the absence of certain witnesses
who had been summoned to appear was an.
nounced this morning. Tho court decided that
Gen. Mercier and Major Patty do Clam should
be cited to appear forthwith.
Yesterdays scenes OF disorder near the Palace
Of Justice were repeated to-day by the crowds.
NJ. lola was greeted with cries Of execration.
The police repeated their performance of driv-
ing the mob away. At the opening Of the sit
ting the President of the court read O lettor
from MAJOR Count Esterhazy, in which he as
serted that, as he had been acquitted by court
martial. thore was no need that he should APP
pear as . witness In this trial.
n. Cl6menceau insisted upon the appearance
Of EsterhAzy and also Of Nine. Chabond, and
tho court ordered the appearance tomorrow of
tho following persons as witnesses: M. Ormes.
chavnle, Capt. Lebrun-Rensud. Major Ravary,
Gen. Mercler. N. vallecalle. Col. Morel. N.
Erckmann, Gen. Boisdeffre. Count Esterhazy,
and Ne Comminges.
Tho court also appointed Or. Floquet to as
certain the health Of Mesdames Boulancy.
Chabond. Comminges. and others who had
pleaded illness as an excuse for their non.ap-
pearance.
After the roll call Of eighty-three witnesses
the President questioned Nine Dreyfus, but re-
fused to put the questions offered by the do
fence. whereupon counsel for the defence pro-
tested.
Tho lawyers were applauded and tho cries Of
bas lola J. In the room were much fewer to-
Gay than yesterday. Mime. Dreyfus was dressed
In deep mourning. She declined to give her age,
Status or domicile. She spoke In o broken voice.
Aaitre Labor demanded that Mme. Dreyfus
should say what she thought of M. Zola's rood
faith. how she had heard Of her husbands ar
rest. and what she know of Major Patty dc Clam.
Tho President declared that there was no con-
neetion between these questions and the present
case.
Nd. lola replied: 81 wish to have the same lib
erty that Is granted to murderers and thieves to
prove my good faith"
NJ. Labor said: We must provo that Capt.
Dfeyfus was irregularly condemned. Tho evil
aence OF Mime. Dreyfus is Indispensable"
M. Ciemenoeau supported NJ. Labori. adducing
iurther rgument why Mme. Dreyfus should DO
neard. The excitement was intense, and CON-
siderable uproar ensued.
NJ Labor then addressed the public, saying
that while he scorned their howlinRs he was
disturbed BY tho applause they had given TO the
enemies Of his casa
Amid a scene Of tumult the court reJected xhe
etRumehts OF tho counsel for the defence, do
touched. "'
h"'rresident Casimir Perier was called to the
"itnoss stand. He refused to be sworn on the
siounu that hecould say nothing. Subsequently
49, o.eh1ou 10 DO sworn and said: Al Presi.
Ne"so Inc republic, never heard of the exist
sHV count Esterhazy or NJ. Dozier."
~ Aaoori questioned the ex-Presidont rela-
y inc communication OF secret evidence 70
= Judges OF tho court-mHrtisl. but the Presi-
N'as . Inc court objected to the questions.
"a HoVocate Leblois. who was associated with
NJ riequart. explained that Col. Plcauart and
~. Sch~eurer'Kestner know that the results Of
= LaVary inquiry had proved the innocence Of
'Sp', Dreyfus and the guilt of Count Esterhasy.
WI m, Seheurer'kestner. until recently one of the
,Me'fresidents of tho Senate, confirmed M.
,."a statement and expressed a wish to
pIonr 'eIIer written by Gen. Gonse to Col.
-"quart' proving Count Este rhazy's guilt.
a Labor asked M. Casimir Perler IL he knew
DI,lus before the ~latter's condemnation. Tho
,f,eSioent replied: DUTY prevents my say.
~ mo whole truth. SO I shall say nothing"
n Inn answer caused an indescribable tumult
,or CAsimir Perier as he was LEAVING tha conrt
D., 1o,a isft the court Immediately after the or.
Lies'aent. and was booted BY a crowd of stu.
INA y There were a few counter cries of /" yiye