The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-09
A Terrific Struggle Of People to Gain En-
trance to the Courtroom.
Zola's Counsel Demands That
Count Esterhazy be Brought
Into Court by Force and Com
PEELED to Testify-The Former
President of the French Repub-
lie, Casimir-Perier, on the Wit
ness Stand.

PARIS, Feb. S-When the trial of IL.
Emile lola and NJ Pereiux, manager of
the "Aurore," growing out of the form
er's denunciation of the Esterhazy
court martial in a letter to the news
paper named. was resumed in the AS
size Court of the Seine to-day, scenes
similar to those of yesterday We're wit
messed. When the court opened there
was a terrific struggle to enter, people
fighting their way with blows and
kicks toward the courtroom.
The entrance of NJ. lola was the sig
nal for an outburst, during which the
few cries of ''Vive lola" were drowned
by shouts of "Abas lola When the
Judge entered the scene was SO tu-
multuous that he directed the munich
pal guards to force the crowds from
the doors and to remove some of the
people from the overcrowded halls.
NJ Rochefort was cheered when he ar
rived.
The presiding Judge, NJ. de lie Gorgue,
read a letter from Count Esterhazy, in
which the latter refused to testify.
Thereupon NJ. Laborie, counsel for NJ.
lola, insisted that Esterhazy should be
brought to court by force.
The court admitted the claims of the
defense, and decided that General Mer-
cier, the former Minister of War, and
Major Patty du Clam should be resum
moned.
The court also decided that the other
witnesses alleged to be i'll should be
visited by doctor, and if found able
to appear they should be resummoned.
Madame Dreyfus was the first wit
ness. She was dressed in black. and
was much distressed. NJ. Laborie asked
her whether she could say under what
circumstances she was informed by
Major Patty du Clam. in 1894, of her
husbands arrest The Judge declined
to put the question.
NJ. Zola here arose and cried: Il de-
sire the same treatment as the assas-
sin or the thief. They have always
the right to defend themselves, but L
am deprived of this. l am Knocked
and insuted in the streets. and the OBJ
scene press drags IRE IL the mud. You
see, gentlemen of the jury. the position
am in. l wish to have my witnesses
heard. but am prevented"
But do you not know the law" the
Judge asked.
NO, 1 don't. and don't want 20
know" was Zola's reply. This scene
caused great excitement among the
spectators.
NJ Laborie demanded that the ques-
tons be put
The Judge answered: II will enter
your protest, If you desire, but will not
put the questions which are foreign to
the Indictment in order to secure a re-
vision OF the Dreyfus case, which has
already been determined
Thereupon NJ Laborie exclaimed: I'm
the presence of the obstruction placed
in our way" Cries of No. no." quite
right'D Il have the honor to ask what
means we should employ"
That does not concern me-" an
swered the Judge, whereat there was
laughter
NJ. Laborie then proposed to submit
a list of questions, leaving the court
TO indicate which of them might pe
put. and the session was suspended N
order to allow the questions to Re
drawn up.
During the interval the noise in the
court was deafening. Every one dis
cussed the case at the top of his or her
voice, with such intensity of excite
ment that the faces of the disputants
were distorted.
In the meanwhile Nine Dreyfus re-
tired to the witness room, where she
was seized with a violent fit of hyster-
les.
On the resumption of the session OF
the court NJ. Laborie presented a state
ment claiming the right to ask Nine
Dreyfus certain questions in the inter
est of justice
The Advocate-General, NJ Nancassel,
adjudicate facts already legally decid-
ed, and turning to NJ. Zola, he ex-
claimed: You say you do not know
the law. and do not want TO know It,
Well we do know the law. and viii
have it respected with the aid of
jury in which we have the most com
plete confidence"
The apostrophe evoked remarks OF
approval.
VI. Laborie responded with great
warmth protesting against the obstruc-
tion of which his client was the victim.
Finally. NJ. ZoIa said he would sub
NIT to the law and to justice adding:
II do not revolt against the law. as my
words may have implied What l want.
gentlemen. is that you end your hypo-
critical schools
This remark was greeted with shouts
OF Bravo. bravo" and murmurs of
dissent.
The court then decided against the
defense. saying that no question not
contained IN the indictment would be
allowed.
VI. Scheurer- Kestner. who was next
examined. said he learned last July that
Colonel Picquart had discovered that
the Borderau had not been written by
Dreyfus and he submitted Major Ester
hays handwriting TO NJ. Bertillon who
agreed that IL Was in the same hand as
the Rorderau Witness suggested 70
General Gonz that fresh expert ex-
animation be made. but the General dis
suaded him from so doing.
At this stage of the proceedings NJ.
Scheurer- Kestner was about to give
the gist Of the correspondence between
General Gonz and Colonel Picquart.
showing that General CONF favored re-
opening the Dreyfus case. but the pre-
siding Judge ruled that the evidence
was inadmissible.
NJ I.aborie then interviewed. saying:
Il ask that these letters be read in
court. NJ Zola was aware of the ex-
istence OF these letters IL is time
light was thrown into the case
The Judge. however. reiterated that
the letters were inadmissible. as pre-
vious notice had not been given. This
caused NJ Laborie to remark: There
IL still time to communicate them TO