The herald., 1898-02-22
ARGUMENT is. REACHED
IN THE TRIAL OF THE FRENCH
NOVELIST
zoLA's ADDRESS TO THE JURY
Dramatic Insistence on the limo
cence of Dreyfus Greeted With
a Storm Of Protests
associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
PARIS, Feb. 21.-The rains today deci-
mated the crowd about the approaches to
the Assizes Court of the Seine In the Pal
ace of Justice, though the court was
packed with people. M. Zola was hissed
when he reached the court. The Advocate
General commenced his address. He de-
clared that M. Zola's assertions that the
Esterhazy court martial acquitted guilty
person in accordance with superior orders,
remained entirely improved. Major Ester
hazy, he added, could not be the author
Of the bordereau and he protested against
certain newspapers accusing officers OF
seeking to overthrow the republic. In con-
clusion, the Advocate-General expressed
confidence that the jury would condemn
M. Zola.
He severely criticised the attitude OF
Col. Picquart and M. Leboies. and regard
Ing the reproach that the court martial
Of Major Esterhazy was conducted behino
closed doors, he said that when ques-
ton of foreign affairs Is under discussion
the matter must be judged by Frencnmen'
He added: 1.-THE Esterhazy court proved
the fact that they were divided In opinion
on the question of the trials taking place
behind closed doors, but they were unani-
nous in acquitting the officer"
The session of the court was then sus-
pended.
When the session was resumed M. Zola
read an address to the court, In which he
said that the premier, M. Meline. had the
air of giving the jury. who are charged with
the national honor, an order to find me
guilty" Cloud protests)
The presiding Judge said: you cannot
say that the premier has given an order to
condemn YOU"
Continuing, M. Zola said: "Such proceed
ings are an abominable piece of political
manners. have never insulted the army,
as has been said, but have raised a cry
of alarm, and leave history to judge and
to appreciate my acts.
"Those who dishonor France" M. Zola
added, ARE those who mingle cries of 'Vive
fArmee' with "A bas les Juifs' and 'Vive
Esterhazy,' after the letters he has written.
(Murmurs.)
"If am here, 1t is because wished.
asked to appear before you, who are the
voice of justice. 1t is for you, gentlemen,
that l raise the cry of alarm, and that
wish to bring out the TRUTH perhaps un-
successfully. but here I stand before you
and await your justice"
M. Zola complained of the prevailing
state of lassltude and exclaimed: "Your
thoughts. which think can read on your
faces, are: We have had enough of it.
The matter must be brought to an end
am not defending my liberty, gentlemen"
Zola said to the jury; sin presenting myself
to you, am defending the truth Look me
In the face, gentlemen. Have 1 been
bought, or am i a traitor? ! am free
writer. who intends to resume his vocation
and again take up his interrupted labors
/ Indignantly protest against the charge
of being an Italian.
NO." he added. 'I am not defending my
thnv ,xxtic1 . txxy;ll
be but an additional error. 1t will be the
seed which will germinate and prevent
France from falling into indifference
"If the country Is in trouble, the fault
lies with the government, who. in the hope
of saving some culprit. has tried to prevent
the truth from coming into the light of day
THE very life of the people is at stake
1t is for you. gentlemen of the Jury, to utter
the truth upon this affair and render JUS
tice."
NJ. Zola dwelt upon the fact that the en-
tire people had been thrown into painful
anguish through doubts of the outlines
of Dreyfus, and said:
1.-THE government, who knows all, and
who, like you. is convinced Of the inno-
cence of Dreyfus, will one day make it
known and will publish it without running
any risk
Then, raising his voice, M. lola three
times proclaimed the following: Before
all tho world, I swear Dreyfus is innocent"
Loud murumrs and Kisses from the back
OF the court greeted this utterance.
NJ. Zola concluded by saying: 1.-THE day
will come when France will thank me for
saving her honor" prolonged uproar.)
NJ Laborie. counsel for M. Zola, followed
with an eloquent speech. His opening
words. I'VE are here in defense of justice
and right were hailed with loud protests
from the back of the court room, and coun-
sci continued, reproaching the authorities
for being led astray by passing interests"
and with mot wishing to deal with the
Dreyfus affair. although there are few
senators or deputies who doubt his inno-
cence. Nevertheless" continued M. La
borie, truth will prevail The elections
will not be allowed to pass amid mystery
and antiquities" (Renewed protests.)
M. Laborie then thanked "all those per-
sonages of the intellectual elite of France
who have had the courage to seek for
truth and light"
Counsel referred to the INSPIRED articles
in the press" intended to deceive the coun-
try, and said: "If syndicate exists 1t is a
syndicate of good faith and loyalty, whose
aim Id to obtain justice and right in the
interests of the entire country, and this
syndicate has the greatest faith in your
perspicacity."
This caused violent uproar, against
which NJ. Laborie vehemently protested.
An individual In the back of the court room
shouted: How much have they paid you?"
To this NJ Laborie retorted: "If we had
been paid, such people as you would have
applauded u.s."
M. Laborie then proceeded to reproach
the premier for refusing to allow generals
to be judged before a jury and asked:
Are generals, then, above the legal con-
science of the country? Our opponents
talked of confidence in the army. We, too,
have confidence in It; but 1t Is not an insult
to the army to raise a cry of alarm, as M.
Zola has done. He spoke in strong terms,
but he did not insult the army"
In conclusion. M. Laborie declared that
he intended to prove Zola's good faith and
review the whole affair, "groping into
things hitherto unknown" and the court
adjourned.
ON THE TURF