The herald., 1898-02-08

N<NAuoC, ihNiuulnB Olit lloii eiiS Ai
of Justice. NJ. Darlan, announcing that
the Minister for War, General Billot,
had not received the authority of the
Cabinet to testify. General De La
Gorgue also read a letter form ex-Presi-
dent Casimir-Perier, saying he could
not testify except as facts subsequent to
his Presidency.
Colonel Patty du Clam was then called
and refused to testify.
M. 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 session. Coun-
sci also said he was not prepared to op-
pose secret trial. If it was absolutely
necessary, but. continued M. Laborie,
the allegation that the matter they dis
cussed was connected with state secrets
ana national defense was a mere joke.
The Advocate General then protested
against the national defense being called
Joke, to which NJ. Laborie hotly re-
piled that he would not permit anyone,
not even the Advocate General, to cast
suspicion on his patriotism. (Cheers.)
General Boesdeffre was then called
and claimed exemption on the ground of
professional secresy, whereupon M.
Laborie shouted, One would really
think all these officers imagined they
formed a separate caste, above all
rights, and that they are totally ex-
empt from the laws and the respect
due to Justice"
The court then ordered a short ad-
journment until 4:30 p. m. in order to
a M oh 70, dro T.; ,a,,t
On the resumption of the hearing M.
Laborie made speech demanding that
the witnesses be ordered to attend and
testify. Counsel for M. Zola deposited
with the court written applications re-
quiring the court to order the subpoe-
naed witnesses to appear.
Regarding Colonel Patty de Clam, the
application charges him with illegal acts
in the Dreyfus and Esterhazy affair,
claiming that If these acts are proved in
court the good faith of the accused will
be demonstrated. Therefore, Colonel
Paty de Clam should be compelled to
testify or, without prejudice to the right
of the appellants, counsel would demand
the postponement of the trial to later
sessions, If necessary.
NJ. Laborie further affirmed that he is
prepared to show that the letters which
Colonel Patty de Clam alleges "the
yelled lady" sent him, prejudicing Col
onel Picquart, emanated from one of
Colonel Patty de CLAIMS own friends,
and not from Colonel Picquart Counsel
Is willing that Colonel Patty de Clam's
evidence be given behind closed doors,
if necessary.
At the conclusion of the proceedings,
as General GEM, who was present in the
court room in full uniform. emerged,
accompanied by an orderly, he was
greeted with shouts of "Vive Iarmee!"
and a number of people followed him,
cheering until the police dispersed
them.
NJ. Zola conferred with his counsel,
NJ Laborie, for half an hour in a private
room, and then left by private stair
case and emerged through the porters'
lodge, but he was recognized as he drove
away The crowd was divided, some
cheering the novelist and others de-
nouncing him.
MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY
1t was day of considerable emotion,
but scanty progress.
M. Schurer- Kestner and NJ Mathie,
| in the audience We're several nota BILE peo.
pie and many ladies', especially ac-
tresses, most of whom We're provided
with sandwiches and bottles of wine.
Nine. Zola was almost crushed out of
sight in back corner. Nine. Zeverine,
the authoress and M. Zola's devoted
champion, was also there. When Zola
entered everybody was on tip-toe to get
a glimpse of him and there was some
disorder pending the arrival of the
judge. Scarcely was he seated when a
bundle of kilograms was handed to M.
Zola, all addressed ''Zola, Court of
Asszes, Paris" and other kilograms
poured in during the proceedings, alto
gether 400, from all parts of the world,
offering sympathy and congratulations.
One from Belgium, bearing the sigma =
lures of legal and literary celebrities,
and signed by a group of Roman Catholic
priests, said: viva la Justice
NJ. Zola, who was quite calm, asked
the barristers:
What is the maximum penalty to
which 1 am liable?"
On being told that it was six months
imprisonment he rejoined smilingly:
would willing take six months more"
The proceedings at the present stage
are a struggle between Maitre Laborie
and Acknowledgement Won Casset, the
latter being determined to restrict the
scope of the trial and the former to en-
large it. There is no doubt that the
visible efforts of the government to sup
press inquiry by it's refusal to allow
Gen. Billot. minister of war, and other
important witnesses to testify came as
great surprise to the audience
M. Zola, who was interviewed late to-
night, looked rather haggard and was
hoarse, but he seemed buoyant and
spoke hopefully Of the days proceedings.
He praised the moderation and courtesy
of the president of the court. He said
he believed he had already produced
some effect on the public mind, adding
that the days record was better than
he had ventured to hope.
M. Zola purposes to reserve his own
manifesto, If permitted to offer it at all,
until the close of the hearing.
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