The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-02-09
IMPASSI0NED AND VIOLENT
SCENES At THE TRIAL OF EMILE
COLA, NOVELIST.

Bitter Manner Toward the Author
After Courts Adjournment He is Locked
in Courtyard and Fears Were Felt That
He Would be Lynched.
Paris, Feb. S.-Impassioned and vio-
lent scenes characterized the trial to-
day of Emile Zola and NJ. Perreaux
Esterhazy court-martial. The crowd
in attendance was tickle in its out
breaks, sometimes favoring Zola and
at other times favoring the govern
ment. At several stages of the trial,
however. the actual feeling of the peo-
pie was demonstrated in bitter man
ner against the noted novelist. Cries
of Down with Zola!" and Death to
zola!" were heard after the courts
adjournment. and Zola was compelled
to retire and lock himself in a robing
room. Later when guards had cleared
the way, he appeared pale and trem-
bling with fear. Extraordinary scenes
continued for some time. The morning
and early afternoon sessions OF the
trial furnished the nucleus of the out
breaks Of passion that followed.
There was much stir in court when
it was announced that M. Casimir-
Perier, the former president of the
French republic, would be the next
witness. When he was called the pre-
siding judge said: You swear to speak
xxritL Nil n fnor a nd tn sneak
the truth and nothing but the truth"
M. Casimir- Perier at this point inter-
rupted the judge, saying: Pardon me.
cannot swear to tell the truth, be-
cause cannot do so. 1t is my duty
not to tell it," This statement caused
commotion among the audience. The
presiding judge remarked: The law
compels you, before even speaking or
refusing to testify to take the OATH"
NJ. Casimir- Perier then took the oath.
"Can you say" asked M. Labdrie. "tf,
when you were president, you knew be-
fore his arrest that staff officer was
suspected of treason, and that charges
had been made against him ?" The
presiding judge said: You cannot ask
that question" This intervention upon
the part of the judge aroused murmurs
in court Counsel for M. Zola then
asked: did M. Casimir-Perier know
that a secret file of papers existed at
the war ministry?" M. Casimir- Perier
replied: II was not aware of file OF
papers concerning Major Esterhazy.
did you," continued M. Laborie,
know that a secret document was
handed to the court-martial?"
"You cannot ask that question" in
terrupted the presiding judge, state
in court. II do not know any facts
subsequent to my presidency" said M.
Casimir -Perier. II can only speak as
a private citizen. which ! am willing
to do"
you are setting a noble example"
replied M. Laborie, which other wit
nesses have not deemed fit to follow.
since it has been necessary to bring
them here by force" (Applause.) M.
Laborie here made a formal applica-
ton, lin the interests of justice, that
his previous questions be allowed to be
put. The judges, after celebrating,
refused to allow the questions. M. de
Castro, banker, was then examined.
| He declared that he recognized the
identity of the handwriting of Major
| Esterhazy and that of the writer Of
| the Bordeau. The witness revealed
| this discovery to Matthew Dreyfus and,
he added, he had since received a num-
! Der of threatening letters. The court
then arose amid great applause and
shouts for and against Zola.
| On leaving the witness box M. CAST
H.. Do,,;A,
the public cheering itself hoarse. There
was big crowd outside the lower court
and, as the people were leaving the
| building a man cried ''Vive Zola!"
Down with Francel" He was imme-
diately arrested. A tremendous rush
| followed M. Zola, on emerging from
| the jury door, was recognized and
obliged to return and seek refuge in
| the robing rooms, the doors of which
were locked.
The crowd remained outside yelling:
"Conspuez Zola,' etc. ETC., led by
| number of young barristers, in their
| robes, who roughly handled M. Zola's
| sympathizers until a detachment Of re-
publican guards cleared the approach
es to the court. NJ. Zola then emerg-
ed. pale and trembling. and the mo-
| ment he appeared on the steps leading
| to the court yard there was an i'm
mense clamor and shouts of Down
with Zoa" Long live Zola!" and
| Death to Zola." the last cry domi-
ating the others. The novelist. with
| his few friends, had difficulty in keep
| ing his feet amid the surging crowd.
In the meanwhile the police, misun-
derstanding their orders, closed the
gates and NJ. Zola thus found himself
| inside the court yard, surrounded by
| bowling, threatening mob. The police
were powerless and for a moment it
| looked as though he would be lynched
with his friends who formed his body
| guard. Eventually the gates were re-
opened, and the police having been
enforced. escorted M. Zola to the street,
while the majority of the mob was
confined in the court yard, shouting
| threats against the novelist, who en-
| tered a cab and drove away. The wo-
men in the crowd were especially vio-
lent. A man who cheered for Zola was
| set upon by a mob which hustled him
| to st. Michele bridge, where it tried
to throw him into the river, but the
| police were reinforced and saved him.
| The crowd remained in the court yard
| and greeted NJ. Rochefort's exit with
LII, q