The age-herald., 1898-02-23
LEBORlE'S BRAVE DEFENSE
Of Novelist Zola-Charged Fraud and False
 hood.
(By Associated Press)

Paris, Feb. 22-The precincts and Hobbies of the palace of justice were deserted to- day the fourteenth of the trial of M. Zola and M. Perrieux for the allegations which the former brought in the Aurore, pub lishod by the latter, against the conduct of the Esterhazy courtmartial. The as- sizes court itself was thronged
 M LaBorie, counsel for M. Zola, re- sumed his argument for the defense. He chronologically reviewed the case from the arrest of Alfred Dreyfus, pointing out that as Major Paty Du Clam -interdcted Mme Dreyfus from speaking, the announcement of his arrest, published by the Libre Parole and Eclaire alone, must have been commu- nicated by the ministry for war.
 Charged With Lying
 Continuing, M LaBore charged the Libre Parole and Eclaire with lying in regard to the guilt of Dreyfus, and refer red to Major Paty Du Clam's attempt to intimidate Dreyfus and to Major Forsei- nettis belief in the latter's innocence. He also dealt with the courtmartials deci- sion to conduct the trial in secret in spite of the protests of the press He said this was the reason of the unceasing protests in behalf of Dreyfus, which troubled all high-minded persons" adding:
 "The strength of those of our adversa- ries who are acting in good faith lies in their belief that the whole affair was con- ducted with justice and legality, but the faetsodo not bear out this belief" (Mur- murs) s ,a
 Counsel for the defense then declared that eight months prior to the arrest of Dfeyfus the minister of war possessed photographs of the paper containing the expression, That scoundrel of D." and showing that a. French officer had re- lations with t.-o foreign military attaches This document, M,. La Borie pointed out did not refer to Dreyfus, but all the same the culpability- of Dreyfus was founded upon it, and it was the document which the yelled lady handed to Major Esterha- zy, the latter surrendering 1t to the min- ister of war on securing a. writ.
 Not Familiar With Great Affairs Referring to Gen. Mercier. M. LaBorie said
 Maybe he is a brave soldier, but he is not familiar with great affairs. In the absence of proofs he substitutes his own arbitrary impression and thus had an innocent man condemned"
 Counsel also asked why the document referring to That scoundrel D." had not been previously spoken of, as the de- fense could have brought into court for eigners who have disputed It's genuine ness. The statement caused a sensation in court, and the presiding judge fnterrupt- ed counsel to say: "We would not have heard them"
 'If we did not summon thein," continued M. LaBorie, it was because we wished to discuss between Frenchmen alone an affair solely concerning Frenchmen.'
 However opinions may differ in this af- fair" M. LaBore explained, ''in the hour of danger we all show a solid front to the foreigner. (Applause.)
 Proved Its Emptiness
 Then, denouncing the action of the prose- cution in having Dreyfus write from dic- tation counsel said: "Such a trick proved the emptiness of the prosecution. for had they possessed proof of his guilt they would not have had recourse to such theatrical effects at. the opening of the court-martial and the judges. having only the bordereau would have acquitted Dreyfus had not. contrary to all laws, their judgment been