Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-08

Paris, Feb. 7.-Great public interest
was shown today in the opening Of the
trial, in the Assize court, of Emile 70
Ia, who is being prosecuted by the gov
eminent as a result of the letter he
wrote last December to the Aurore,
strongly rejecting upon high officials
connected with the Dreyfus case The
police measures taken to ensure order
were most rigorous, but the crowds in
creased in number all the morning, and
there was considerable disorder
NJ lola, who arrived in carriage,
was greeted with vehement shouts OF
derision.
The proceedings began at o'clock
under the presidency of NJ, de Legorgue
Although the court was thronged
quiet was maintained, owing 10 The
knowledge that company Of Republi-
can guards had been placed at the dis
posai of the Judge to preserve order
While the jury was being selected M
Zola entered the dock.
After the reading of the Indictment,
the acknowledgement explained that the
charge was strictly limited to the pas
sage in M. Zola's letter denouncing the
Esterbazy court-martial. The advocate
general said it was imperative to pre-
vent the proceedings from wandering
and thus playing into the hands OF the
accused. whose aim is TO get revision
of the Dreyfus affair by circultous
route"
AS this iuncture three experts in
handwriting who were charged in NJ.
Zola's letter with making FRAUDULENT
reports asked permission to appear IN
the action as private prosecutors, but
M. Laborie counsel for NJ. Zola, object-
ed, and the court upheld him.
After reading the names OF the Will
nesses summoned, NJ de Legorgue READ
a. number Of letters of excuse, tnclud-
ing a letter from the minister OF Justlce'
MI Darlan. announcing that the minis
ter of war, General Billot, had not re-
ceived the authority Of the cabinet to
testify. NJ de IIegorgue also read a let
ter from ex-President Casimir Perler
saving he could not testify except as 10
facts subsequent to his presidency
Addressing the jury, NJ Laborie said:
THE proof we wish to show you is so
striking that our opponents are making
efforts to prevent its becoming known;
Nevertheless, if it is necessary, ! will
declare it alone, without witnesses.
If I fail, Dreyfus will remain in the
gaHeys. where he was placed by law
expressly made for him"
NJ Laborie insisted that the judges of
Dreyfus should give evidence, and that
Madame Boulancy, whom lola had
summoned, and who has declined to APP
pear, on the ground of i'll health, should
also testify, urging that she be ordered
to appear if necessary.
Llaborie insisted also that the deposit
lions made before the examining mag
istrate be read in court. This was ops
posed by the attorney general, on ground
that the examination was not con-
cluded.
ar xrabaraatlf1X nfnfPgta6
against the absence of the subpenaed.
When several members Of the Dreyfus
refused to testify, NJ. lola
rose I'D in the dock and Indignantly
cried: 1--WE must know if these persons
are acting under the orders Of the min
lister of war, or on their own volition.
General Boisdeffre was then called,
and claimed exemption on the ground of
secrecy whereupon NJ
Laborie shouted: "One would really
think all these officers imagined they
form a separate caste, above all rights,
and that they are totally exempt from
the laws and the respect due to justice"
The court then ordered short adj
journment until 4.30 in the afternoon,
in order to allow NJ. Laborie 10 draft his
On the resumption of the hearing, M.
Laborie made a speech demanding that
the witnesses be ordered TO attend and
testify. He also deposited with the
court written applications requesting
the court to order the subpenaed wit
nesses to appear.
The court postponed decision until to-
morrow, and the case was adjourned.
Rain prevented a large crowd from as
around the court, but the COR
ridors of the court house were packed
with people warmly discussing the trial
On the conclusion of the proceedings.
Gen. Gonz, who was present in the
court room in full uniform, emerged
by an orderly, and was
greeted with shouts of "Vive rArmee. Z
A number of people followed him.
cheering. until the police separated
them.
NJ. lola conferred with his counsel,
M. Laborie, for half an hour in pri-
waite room, and then left by a private
staircase and emerged through the por-
ter's lodge; but he was recognized as
he drove away The crowd was divided,
some cheering the novelist and others
denouncing him.