The news & observer., 1898-02-08
Sensational Scenes in the
Paris Court.
CROWD VEHEAIENTLY SHOUT:
"SPIT UPON HIM."
TYPICAL MoCK-HERoIc SPECTACLE
Witnesses Are Summoned But Pay no Atten-
ton to Summons. A Series of Excitable
French Spats and the Court Ad-
iourns Until Today.

ourns Until Today.
Paris. Feb. THE trial of NJ. Emil
lola and NJ. Perreux, manager of the
Aurore, who are being prosecuted by
the government as the result of q letter
which the novelist caused to be publish
ed in the Aurore in December last,
strongly rejecting upon high officials
connected with the Dreyfus case, open
ed to-day in the Assize court of the
Seine. NJ. Zola, was represented by
NJ. Laborie and NJ. Perreux was de-
Tended by NJ. Clemenceau.
Great public interest was manifested
in the case. The police measures taken
to insure order were rigorous.
Zola, who arrived in a carriage, was
greeted with vehement shouts of: Con
spuez Zola" (Spit upon Zola.)
An individual who shouted "Viye
Zoar was promptly suppressed.
The proceedings commenced at j p.
M under the presidency of NJ.
Delerogue, who announced that the
court would be cleared if there was any
demonstration.
Although the court was thronged,
quiet was maintained owing to the
knowledge that a company of Republi-
can guards had been placed at the dis
pcsal OF the judge, to preserve order.
While the jury was being selected NJ.
Zola entered the dock. He was pale. A
few cries of ''Vive Zola" were promptly
suppressed by the vigorous protests of
the majority in the audience.
After the reading of the indictment.
the advocate general explained that the
charge was strictly limited to the pas
stge III NJ Zola's letter denouncing the
Esterhazy court martial.
Continuing. the advocate general said
it was imperative to prevent the pro-
ceedings from wandering and thus
playing into the hands of the accused,
whose aim is to get a revision of the
Dreyfris affair by circuitous route"
In regard to the limitation of the
scope of the trial, the court decided TO
allow the accused to call evidence in
support of the other charges contained
i'm his letter. including the accusations
which he made against Col. Patty Du
Clam. and Generals Mercier, Boisdefre,
Billot and Pelheux.
After reading the names of the wit
nesses summoned, NJ. Delerogue read 4
number of letters of excuse, including
one from the Minister of Justice, NJ.
Darlan. announcing that the Minister
for War, Gen. Billot, had not received
the authority of the Cabinet to testify.
NJ. Delorogue also read letter from
ex-President Casimir-Perier, saying he
could not testify except as to facts sub
sequent to his presidency.
n IOa% fhnT Ina
and refused to testify.
NJ. Laborie urge the importance OF
his testimony, adding, that unless the
court ordered the witness to testify, he
might be compelled to demand an ad.
iournment until the next session. Coun-
sci also said he was not prepared to op-
pose secret trial. if it was absolutely
necessary. But, continued NJ. Laborie
the allegation that the matter they were
discussing was connected with State
secrets and the National defense was
mere joke.
The advocate general thereupOn pro
tested against the National defense be-
ing called joke, to which NJ. Laborie
hotly replied that he would permit nc
one. not even the advocate general, to
cast suspicion upon his patriotism
tCheers.)
Addressing the jury M. LabOrie said
''INhe proof we wish to show You IS sc
striking that our opponents are making
efforts to prevent its becoming known
Nevertheless, if it is necessary, Wli
declare it alone, without witnesses. u
| fail Dreyfus will remain in the gal
leys, where he was placed by "a law eX
pressy made for him." (Violent pro
tests.)
VI. I1aborie insisted that the judges
of Dreyfus should give evidence ant
that Madame Doulancy, whom Zola hat
summoned but who has declined TO ap
pear on the ground of ill health, shoule
also testify, urging that she be ordered
TO appear if necessary. Counsel added
that Madame Boulancy, in addition Il
the notorious UlIlan letter, possessed
others from Major Esterhazy, outrage
ously insulting the French army, whicl
had not been published.
NJ. Laborie further contended thai
Major Esterhazy was prosecuting
Madame Boulancy in order to prevcn
her from surrendering the letters.
Counsel for the Aurore supported NJ
Laborie's request for the appearance o.
Madame Boulancy, and urging the colIr
to obtain a verification of her allege,
i'll health.
Later on NJ. Laborie insisted that tn
dispositions made before the examinin;
magistrate be read in court. This wa
opposed by the attorney general on tn
ground that the examination was no
concluded.
NJ. Laborie then vehemently protest
cd against the absence Of the sui