The herald., 1898-02-24
FOUND GUILTY
And Sentenced to a Years
Imprisonment
THEY ARE CANNIBALS
THE ONLY COMMENT OF THE
NOVELIST
lola PROMPTLY CONVICTED
The Verdict Received With Shrieks of
"Death to the Jews"-Attempts
at Rioting Frustrated
lola PROMPTLY CONVICTED
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
PARIS, Feb. 23.-There was increased
excitement today in the precincts Of the
palace Of Justice, where NM. Zola and Per-
rieux have been on trial since Feb. 7th,
charged by the government, in substance,
with making libelous comment on the con-
duct of the Esterhazy court martial.
M. Laborie, counsel for M. Zola, resumed
his argument for the defense. Referring
to the bordereau, counsel maintained that
1t was written by Major Esterhazy. and
said that the presentation of several secret
documents at the court martial fully es-
tablished this.
Recalling Premier Meline's refusal to dis
cuss the subject when M. Jaures, the So
cialist leader. interpellated the government
on the subject in the chamber of deputies,
NJ. Laborie said 1t could be concluded
therefrom that the government had some
thing to hide. (Uproar)
Continuing M. Laborie said: General
Mercier, minister of war at the time of the
Dreyfus court martial, wrung the sentence
out of the court martial in defiance of all
law"
M Laborie exclaimed: II believe the
country will soon realize the gravity OF the
situation and will revolt and protest in
the name of eternal morality. This is what
M. Zola has done"
Referring to the document which General
Pellieux unexpectedly produced in court,
purporting to warn the minister of war not
to confess that he ever had relations with
that Jew" counsel maintained that the
note in reality said with that Jewish
clique" and asserted that the authorities
had not produced the alleged incriminat-
ing documents, because st would have re-
suited, not in war; but in ridicule."
The speakers touching reference to the
unhappiness of the Dreyfus family. the
courage and abnegation of Nine. Dreyfus
and the letter from Dreyfus in September,
1884, protesting his innocence more ener-
getically than ever, produced profound
sensation, many of the people in the court
weeping. "a. .,ggs. .-.sts. -. -
M Laborie justified Colonel Picquarts
search of Major Esterhazys rooms. and
pointed out that the latter had refused to
testify in court Counsel further contended
that General Comes correspondence
showed that Colonel Picquart acted with
the concurrence of his chiefs, and that the
general would have stopped the colonel if
positive proof of the guilt of Dreyfus ex-
listed.
Continuing, counsel asserted that the
government veered round against the
inquiry when it feared it would cause
trouble in the court. and took UP the atti-
tude of washing its hands of the whole af-
fair. Colonel Picquart then became en-
barrassed, and was shipped off to Tunis.
He would, according to counsel, have been
sent to the extreme confines Of Tripoi had
not General Lecliere INTERVIEWED.
There was a commotion in court when
M. Laborie, referring to Dreyfus, said his
appointment on the general staff was
BADLY received by the Jew-baiters."
Counsel further remarked: "Dreyfus
could not have divulged anything about
the hydraulic brake for the artillery, be-
cause the contrivance had been known
since $780,
Here the advocate general protested
against M. Leborie going outside the case,
but the latter insisted, adding: Infantry
officers, including Major Esterhazy. could
have been acquainted with this contriv-
ance. Yet, without proof an innocent
man was arrested, who, although Jew,
would be the last man to betray secrets
for he was only too happy to serve France
as member of the general staff"
NJ. Laborie then reviewed the SHADY
conduct" and Indebtedness of Major Es-
terhazy, who. he said, all eminent men be-
lieve wrote the bordereau. Counsel then
asked who could be Major Esterhazy's IS
hackers, and declared that the fairy tale
representing Emperor William of Ger
many as corresponding with Dreyfus was
simply laughable.
at was impossible, continued M. Laborie
ito obtain justice at the court martial
which tried Major Esterhazy, and then a
man arose, M. Zola, who needed every
ounce of courage to do this (murmurs in
court).
HE stands before you," added M. La
borie. IN. Zolas stand was made against
the minister of war, who had dared
though in good faith, to take the RESPONSE
bility of getting Dreyfus condemned"
In his peroration, M Laborie said
Don't allow yourselves to be deceived
with the idea that the honor of the army
Is involved, because some of its members
have ignored the law. Don't allow your
selves to be troubled or intimidated by
rumors of war. Fear nothing for the
moral energy of the country still lives
"It is with the hearts Of honest men that
victorious battles are achieved. Give
that example OF firmness. for you musl
feel that in this man lies Frances honor u
protests from spectators.)
"Your verdict will signify three things
'vive rArmee,' 'vive la Republique,' 'vive
la France that is to say 'yive la Loi,
'vive la Idea Eternal" that is what ask
you to proclaim by your verdict
Amid loud applause, mingled with misses
and cheers for the army and for the re.
public, the hearing was suspended.
Immense crowds of people then gathered
outside the palace of justice, and the police
were reinforced, trouble being feared
When the hearing was resumed, Clemen.
ceau, for M. Perreiux, made a speech, sec.
onding the remarks of M Laborie, and
concluding with an appeal to the Jury, by
the acquittal of M. Zola ito remove from
France the danger of religious wars"
The advocate general made a brief re-
ply the jury retiring at $3.50 D. M, and be.
ing absent about half an hour
The jury found Zola guilty as charged
on all the counts of the Indictment and
declared that there were no extenuatine
circumstances.
M. Zola. on hearing the verdict, said
.sThey are cannibals."
M. Zola's sentence is of one years i'm
prisonment and fine OF 5000 francs, which
is the maximum punishment.
Frantic bravos greeted the announce.
ment of Zola's sentence, and intense ex.
citement followed. M. Laborie and M
Perrieux and sone others present en-
braced zola.
There was extreme tension In court while
the jury and the public were on tenteI
hooks until the verdict was rendered. Their
the people burst out into tremendous ap.
Il ths meanwhiis an tha approachss "a
tn palAis de Justice hef ne>n oIe6fod III