Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-22

on the question of the trial taking place
behind closed doors. but they We're unan-
imous in acquittins the officer"
When the advocate general had conclud-
ed, NJ. lola read an address to the court.
in which he said that the premier. NJ. Me
line, had the air of giving the jury, who
are charged to avenge the national honor,
orders to find me guilty" loud protests.)
The presiding judge said: You cannot
say that the premier has given an order
to condemn you
Continuing, NJ. lola said: Such proceed
ings are an abominable piece of political
manners. ! have never insulted the army,
as has been said. but I have raised a cry
of alarm. and 1 leave history to judge me
and to appreciate. my, acts.
Those who diShonor rance NJ. Zoia
also said, ARE those who minSle cries OF
'Vive rArmee' with "A has les juifs' and
.Vive EsterhaZy' after the letters ne mas
written. Murmurs.l
IF l am here. it is because wished 1t.
1t is L who asked TO appear before you.
who are the voice of justice. 1t IS ior YOU
and that | wish to bring out the truth;
perhaps unsuccessfully. but here L stand
before you and wait your justice,
state of lassitude, and exclaimed: Your
thoughts, which, 7 think. l can read on
your faces. are We have had enough of
end"
Il am not defending my liberty, gentle
men, NJ. lola said to the jury. I'm pre-
senting myself to you. l am defending the
truth. Look me in the face. gentlemen.
Have l been bought. or am l a traitor: I
am a free writer. vino intends TO resume
his vocation. and again take up his in
terrupted labors. l Indignantly protest
against the charge of being an Italian.
No" he added. Il am not defending my
liberty. Condemn. then. if you wish. 1t
WILDE but ar additional error. 1t will plant
The seed which will germinate and prevent
France from falling into Indifference.
IF the country is in peril. the fault is
with the government, who. in the hope of
saving some culprit. has tried to prevent
the truth from coming into the light of
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
Justice"
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:
THE government. who know all. and
who. like you. are convinced of the inno-
cence of Dreyfus. will one day make it
known and will publish it without running
anv risk"
Then. raising his voice. NJ. lola three
times proclaimed the following:
Before all the world. l swear Dreyfus is
innocent
Loud murmurs and Kisses from the back
CT the court greeted this utterance.
NJ. lola continued by saying:
liz Il Will 'clht liz FIdute Will
thank me for saving her honor" PRO
lonSed uproarp.
The speech was constantly interrupted
by Kisses and protests.
NJ. LabOrte. counsel for NJ. lola. fol-
lowed with an eloquent speech. His OPEN
ing words; We are here in defense OF
protests from the back of the courtroom.
and counsel continued. reproaching the
authorities for being led astray by pass
ing interests and with mot wishing to
deal with the DrgyflIG affair a1tNon1CI
there are few senator's or deputies who
doubt his innocence.
truth will prevail. The elections will not
b. allowed to pass amid mystery and am
bisuities." CRenewed protests.p
NJ. Iaborie then thanked 'all those per-
scnages of the intellectual elite of France
who have had the courage to seek for
truth and light"
in tire press" intended to deceive the
country. and said: III a syndicate exists.
1t is a syndicate of good faith and loyalty.
whose ain is to obtain Justice and right
in the interests of the entire country. and
this syndicate has the greatest faith in
your perspicacity."
This caused a violent uproar. against
which NJ. Laborie vehemently protested.
An individual in the back of the court
room shouted: How much have they paid
your"
To this. NJ. Laborie retorted: eff we had
been paid. such people would have APP
plauded u.s.
NJ Lahore lEen proceeded to reproaCh
the premier for refusing to allow generals
TO be Judged before Il jury. and he 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 it is not an
insult to the army to raise a cry of alarm
as NJ. lola has done. He spoke in strong
terms. but he did NOT insult the army"
In conclusion. NJ. Laborie declared that
he intended 10 prove NJ. Zola's good faith
and review the whole affair. cropping into
things hitherto unknown
The court then adjourned.