Evening journal., 1898-02-08
zOLA NOW ON TRIAL
Hard Work to Get Important
Witnesses to Appear.
CHEERS AND Kisses FOR THE AUTHOR
Colonel Patty de Clam Takes the Stand.
but Refuses TO Answer Any Questions.
Novelist's Counsel May Demand
Delay-LittIe Progress Made.

PARIS. Feb. S.--The trial of NJ. Emile
Zola and NJ. Perreux, manager Of The
Aurore, who are being prosecuted by
the government as the result Of a letter
which the novelist caused to be pub
llshed in The Aurore in December last
strongly rejecting upon high officials
connected with the Dreyfus case, open
ed yesterday in the asslzes court Of the
Seine NJ. zola was represented by NJ
Laborie. and M. Perreux was defended
by NJ. Clemenceau.
A vast gathering assembled around
the Palace Of Justice TO witness the
arrival Of M. zola and the other i'm
portant persons connected with the
trial. M. Henri Rochefort, the editor
Of L'Intransigeant, was the first to ar
rive and received the first manifesto
tion OF popular displeasure in cries Of
"Conspuezi"
The arrival Of NJ. Zola provoked
storm OF howls, Kisses and cries of "a
bas Zolaw There were some counter
cries Of "Vive Zola" which moved the
police to disperse' the crowd, presuma-
bly, upon the ground that the opposing
factions might come into violent colli-
sion. The crowd fed before the police
In uproarious confusion.
After the reading of the indictment
the advocate general explained that the
charge was strictly limited to the pas
sage in NJ. Zolas letter denouncing the
Esterhazy court martial.
The names of the witnesses summon
ed were then read, and also a number
of letters of excuse, including a letter
from the minister Of justice, NJ. Darlan,
announcing that the minister Of war
General Billot had not received the
authority of the cabinet to testify. NJ
Delagorgue also read a letter from ex-
President Caslmir-Perier saying he
could not testify except as to facts sub
sequent to his presidency. Colonel Paty
de Clam was then called and refused to
testify.
NJ. Laborie urged the Importance Of
his testimony, adding that unless the
court ordered the witness to testify he
might be compelled TO demand an ad-
| journment until the next sessions.
Counsel also said he was not prepared
TO oppose a secret trial If It was abso-
lutely necessary. He deposited with the
court written applications requesting
the court to order the subpenaed wit
nesses to appear.
Regarding Colonel Patty de Clam, the
application charges him with illegal
acts in the Dreyfus and Esterhazy af-
fairs. claiming that IL these acts are
proved in court, the good faith of the
accused will be demonstrated and that
therefore Colonel Patty de Clam should
be compelled TO testify without preju-
dice to the right of the appellants should
they demand the postponement of the
trial to later sessions If necessary.
M. Laporie further affirms that he is
/ prepared to show that the yelled lady
who Colonel Patty de Clam alleges, sent
him certain letters prejudicing Colonel
Picquart, emanated from one OF Colonel
Patty de CLAIMS own friends and not
from Colonel Picquart Counsel Is
willing that Colonel Patty de CLAIMS
evidence be given behind closed doors
If necessary.
There is another application calling
for the appearance of Generals Mercier
and Boisdeffre and others. 1t declares
they have no right TO absent themselves
on the plea that their evidence is not
necessary as that is for the court and
not for them to decide. The hearing of
| the case was then adjourned. There
were no sensational incidents.