The herald., 1898-02-09
Fights for Entrance to the
Courtroom
zoLA's TRIAL is CONTINUED
nxcrrEMENT HOURLY GROWING
GREATER
Ex-President Casimir-Perier on the
Stand-The Novelist Has Mar
row Escape From Lynching
Associated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special Wire
PARIS, Feb. S.-when the court IN.
; stituted for the trial Of M. Zola was
opened this morning, there was ter
rife struggle to enter, people fighting
their way with blows and kicks toward
the courtroom.
The entrance Of M. Zola was the signal
for an outburst during which the few
cries Of "vive Zola" were drowned by
shouts of "a bas Zola!"
When the Judge entered the scene was
30 ttmultuous that he directed the Mu-
nicipal Guards to force the crowds from
the doors and to remove some of the
people from the overcrowded halls.
When the proceedings began, M. Zola
demanded that Esterhazy be brought
into court, also others who desired to
absent themselves.
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 recon-
mended.
The court also decided that the other
witnesses alleged to be Ill should be
visited by doctor and that II found able
to appedr. they should be re-summoned.
Nine. Dreyfus was the first witness.
She was dressed in black and was much
distressed
M. Laborie asked her whether she
could say under what circumstances
she was informed by Major Patty du
C1ovv in, 30 6n. k,,c
The Judge declined to put the question.
M. lola here arose and cried: IT de-
sire the same treatment as the assassin
or the thief. They have always the
right to defend themselves, but 1 am
deprived Of this. I am mocked and in
suited in the streets and the obscene
press drags me in the mud. You, gen.
tlemen of the jury, see the position I am
in. am not to have my witnesses
heard"
But do you not know the law?" the
Judge asked.
mo, I don't know the law, and don't
want to know" was Zola's reply.
This scene caused great excitement
Among the spectators.
M. Laborie demanded that the ques-
tions be put. The judge answered: II
will enter your protest If you desire, but
will not put the questions, which are for
eign to the indictment. In order to secure
q revision 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 mo! MOI" "Quite right!')
"I have the honor to ask what means
we should employ?"
"That does not concern me-" answered
The judge, whereat there was laughter.
NJ. Laborie then proposed to submit
D list of questions, leaving the court to
indicate. which of them might be put
and the session was suspended in order
for the questions to be drawn up.
During the interval the noise in the
court was deafening. Everyone dis
cussed the case at the top of his or her
voice. with such intensity of excitement
that the faces Of the disputants were dis
torted.
In the meantime, Nine. Dreyfus retired
TO the witness room, where she was
heized with a violent fit of Mysteries.
on the resumption OF the session of the
court, M. Laborie presented q statement
claiming the right to ask Nine. Dreyfus
certain questions in the interests OF
Justice.
The Acknowledgement, M. vancassel
argued that the court could not re-
adjudicate facts already legally decided,
and turning to M. Zola, he exclaimed:
cYou say you do not know the law, and
do not want to know 1t. Well, we do
know the law, and will have 1T respected.
with the aid of jury In which We have
the most complete confidence"
The apostrophe evoked remarks Of ap-
proval.
M. Laborie responded with great
warmth, protesting against the OBJ
struction of which his client was the
victim. Finally M. Zola said he would
submit to the law and to justice, adding:
s'I do not revolt against the law, as my
words may have seemed to imply. What
want. gentlemen, is that you end your
hypocritical schools"
This remark was greeted with shouts
Of Bravo! Bravo!" and murmurs of
dissent.
The court then decided against the de-
Tense, saying that no question not con-
tained in the Indictment would be al
lowed.
M. Scheurer- Kestner, who was next
examined, said he learned last July that
Col. Picquart had discovered that the
Bordereau had not been written by
Dreyfus. and he submitted Major Ester
Hays handwriting to M. Bertillon, who
agreed that 1t was in the same hand as
the Bordereau. Witness suggested to
Gen. Gonz that fresh expert examina-
tion be made, but the general dissuaded
him from so doing.
At this stage of the proceedings M,
Hcheurer- Kestner was about to give the
gist Of the correspondence between Gem.
/, Gonz and Col Picquart, showing that
Gen. Gonz favored reopening the Drey-
fus case, but the presiding judge ruled
that the evidence was inadmissible.
M. Laborie then interviewed, saying:
IT ask that these letters be read i'm court.
M. Zola was aware of the existence of
these letters. 1t is time light was thrown
into the case"
The judge, however, reiterated that
the letters were inadmissible, as previ
GUS notice had not been given. This
caused M. Laborie to remark: There is
still time to communicate them to YOU
and the jury"
you know that is impossible" re-
Piled the Judge, "as the law formally
forbids it,
NJ Clemenceau, counsel for M. Pc
rieaux, here declared that Col. Picquart
Pubmitted these letters to the president