The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-08
THE TRIAL OF N. DOLA,
The Noted French Novelist and the
Famous Dreyfus Case. :.
WITNESSES REFUSE TO TESTIFY.

n. Zola Declares That His Proof Ol
Dreyfus' Innocence Is Absolutely
Beyond Denial, But That He VIII OF
Bo Permitted to Produce Ii.
Paris. Feb. 8-The trial Of NJ. Emile
Zola and M. Perreux, manager Of The
Aurore. who are being prosecuted by
the government as the result of a let
ter which the novelist caused to be
published in The Aurore in December
last strongly rejecting upon high Of
fcials connected with the Dreyfus case.
opened yesterday in the assizes court
of the Seine. NJ. Zola was represented
by M. Lahorde and M. Perreux was
defended by M. CeInenceau. The most
keen public interest was MANIFESTED in
the case. Hundreds Of people sur
rounded the court anxious to gain ad-
mittance. The police measures taken
to insure order were most rigorous.
No evidence was produced during the
day. When the names of the witnesses
were read 1t was stated that General
Billot had not received the authority
of the cabinet to testify. Ex-President
Casimir- Perisr sent a letter saying he
could not testify except as to facts
subsequent to his presidency. Colonel
Patty du Clam was called to the stand,
but refused to testify. M. Laborde,
Zola's counsel, then made a long ar
gument protesting against the abb
sence Of subpoenaed witnesses. He
urged that General Mercier. ex-war
minister. General BoisdeGie. Colonel
Patty du Clam and others be forced to
testify. The court postponed a decision
until today.
M. Laborde also insisted that the
dispositions made before the examining
magistrate in the Dreyfus case b..
read In court. This was opposed by
the attorney general on the ground
that the examination was concluded,
and decision was reserved.
Addressing the jury, M. Laborde
said:
1.-THE proof we wish to show you is so
striking that our opponents are maxi
ing efforts to prevent its becoming
known. Nevertheless, If it is necessary.
I will declare 1t alone, without Witness
es. If l fail, Dreyfus will remain In
the galleys, where he was placed by
law made expressly for him."
M. Laborde Insisted that the judges
Of Dreyfus should give evidence, and
that Madame Boulancy, whom ZoIa
had summoned, but who has declined
to appear on the ground Of i'll health,
should also testify urging that she be
ordered to appear if necessary. Coun-
sci added that Madame Boulancy, in
addition to the notorious Uhlan letter,
possessed others from Major Esterhazy,
outrageously insulting the French
army which had not been published
M. Laborde further contended that
Major Esterhazy was prosecuting Mad
anne Boulancy in order to prevent her
from surrenderng the letters.
Counsel for the Aurore supported M.
Laborde's request for the appearance
of Madame Boulancy, and urging the
court to obtain rerification of her al
legged i'll health.
David Christie Murray, the London
novelist and playwright, had column
interview with Emile Zola, who, it ap-
pears, was anything but hopeful of the
outcome of his trial. He said:
we know everything about the Drey-
fus case, but 1t Is impossible to describe
the pressure to impose silence upon the
men who are able and ready to reveal
the truth. Our documentary evidence
is not even looked at, and our wit
nesses have refused to testify or have
been ordered to be silent. There is no
room for doubt. There Is no question |
or possibility of question. The facts |
are clear and absolutely beyond denial,
but the authorities refuse to allow us
to produce our evidence. and then hold
up the feebleness of our cause to the
derision of the public"
M. Scheurer-Kestner and M. Matthew
Dreyfus were conspicuous In court and
in the audience were several notabili-
ties and many ladies, especially actress
es, most Of whom were provided with
and bottles Of wine. Mad
anne Aola was almost crushed out of
sight in back corner Madame Sever
inc, the author. and M. Zola's devoted
champion, was also there.
When M. Zola entered everybody was
on tlptce to get glimpse of him. and
there was some disorder pending the
arrival Of the Judge. Scarcely was he
seated when a bundle of kilograms was
handed to M. Zola, all addressed "Zola,
court Of assizes. Paris" and other tele-
grams poured in during the proceed
ngs. altogether over 400, from all parts
If the world, offering sympathy and
One from Belgium
bore the signatures Of a thousand legal
Ind literary celebrities. Another. sign
ID by group of Catholic priests, said:
'Vive La Justice"
NJ Iola, who was quite calm, asked
he barristers: What is the maxim
'enalty to which l am liable?"
On being told that 1t was six months
he rejoined. smiling: IF
ruth could but emerge from this trial
would willingly take six months
lore."