The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-08
TILE Trial OF ZOLA.

The trial OF N. zola for libel will be
the sensation of tho week in Paris.
Il will be remembered that on January
18Th. lola addressed an open letter TO
the President Of France in which he
accused by name the chiefs Of STATS Of
the army including the Minister of War,
of having first convicted Captain Dreyfus
as a traitor on evidence which they ought
TO have known TO be insufficient, and then
of having covered their verdict by sup
pressing behind closed doors the counter
evidence which had been brought forward.
lie spoke plainly and declared that In the
conviction Of Dreyfus partisan spirit Of
religion and caste was displayed. It
seems TO be clear that his purpose was TO
force the government TO prosecute him
before the civil courts where, IT IS said
It IS difficult to suppress evidence or to
prosecute in secret
The publication of this letter was fol-
lowed by open demonstrations against
Zola and against the Jews generally.
II may be well enough 20 state I'm this
connection that the Jews in France, as
well rs in England. are citizens, with all
the privileges and all the duties which
other citizens possess or perform. They
are liable to CONSUMPTION like other men.
they can become officers Ike other men,
they struggle like other men for success
in the professions and are quite as pa
trlotic as those Of other religious faith.
The free exercise Of their creed is not
only permitted. but their pastors receive
allowances from the state. 80 far as the
world can conceive" says the London
Spectator, "they perform their duties
faithfully, and are as French as any
other class, more French, indeed, than
some Of the clerical monarchists, who
hardly know how 10 retain their patron
age in the face Of century Of disap-
pointment for their caste, and what they
regard often justly, as persecution for
their church"
The cry has been raised, however, that
the army has been attacked and there
Is strong sentiment against Zola and
the cause which he represents This is
manifested in the fact that his definite
accusations against individual agents and
officers whom he mentioned by name, are,
in the notice OF prosecution, passed over,
and he is to be prosecuted only for his
attack on the second council Of war, which
he accused of knowingly acquittng
guilty man-under orders.
As the essential proceedings Of this
council was held behind closed doors. it
was ar once evident that even before the
civil courts. Il would be difficult for lola
to produce adequate witnesses. all the
more as the one necessary witness as TO
what really went on is under arrest in
fortress
lola Their wrote a second letter, repeat
ing his charges and protesting against
this halving of the prosecution TO the
entire sitting OF The truth. Then came
the statement that the government had IN
It's possession n written confession from
Dreyfus, and there was demand for its
production which resulted IN riotous
scenes in Parliament and a personal diff
Guilty between two OF the members
Such is a brief statement of the facts
IN this ease which We gather from an
intelligent letter from Paris, and we have
thus reviewed them that those who are
interested may the better understand
the proceedings of the trial Of lola which
began yesterday in Paris.