The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-09
lInE DREYHUS CALLED
In tho Trial at Paris Of NJ. Zola,
the Novelist.
HER TESTIMONY NOT ADMITTED.
EK-PrcsldenG Casimir.Pericr Takes
tho stand, But Adds No informa-
tion-The Court Decides That Recall
citrnnJ Witnesses Must Testify.

struggle Tor seats IN the court room
yesterday before the opening of the trial
of NM. Zola and Perreux, people fight
ing their way with blows and kicks. The
entrance of M. Zola was the signal for
an outburst, during which the follow
cries Of "Vive ZCla" were drowned by
shouts of "a Bas Zola.' The crowd
pushed and hustled, and ladies climbed
upon the benches reckleSsly in order
to avoid tie crushing. When the judge
entered the scene was SO tumultuous
that he directed the municipal guards
to feFce the crowds from the doors
and to remove some of the people from
the Overcrowded halls.
When the proceedings opened the
presiding Judge read letter from
Count Esterhazy refusing to testify,
whereupon Zola's counsel insisted that
he should be brought into court by
force. The court admitted the claims
OF the defense, and decided that Cen
eral Mercier. the former minister of
war, and Major Patty du Clam should
be resummoned.
The court also decided that the other
witnesses alleged to be i'll should be
10 visited by doctor. and that If found
able to appear they should be resum-
moned.
Madame Drefyus was the first wit
ness yesterday. She was dressed in
black, and was much distressed.
M. Laborie, who examined her, asked
what she thought of NJ. Zola's good
faith, and whether she could say un-
der what circumstances she was in
fnryo,a6 INV In " Il {,,1
Of her husbands arrest The Judge de-
clined to put the last question.
M. Zola here rose and cried: II de-
sire the same treatment as the assas-
sin or the thief. They have always the
right to defend themselves, but l am
deprived of this. l am Knocked and in
suited in the streets and the obscene
press drags me in the mud. You see,
gentlemen of the jury, the position
am in. 1 wish to have my witnesses
heard but l am prevented"
The judge answered: Il will enter
your protest if you desire, but / cannot
put questions which are foreign to the
Indictment, in order to arrive at a re-
vision of the Dreyfus case, which has
already been determined
Mr.. Laborie protested. and there was
a scene of widest excitement in the
court room, everybody shouting loudly.
Meanwhile Nine. Dreyfus was taken to
the witness room with violent hysteria.
There was much stir in court when
1t was announced that Nj. Cassimil-
Perier, the former president of France,
would be the next witness. When he
was called the presiding judge said:
You swear to speak without ami
mus and fear, and to speak the truth,
and nothing but the TRUTH"
M. Casimir-Perier at this point in
terrupted the judge, saying: Pardon
me. / cannot swear to tell The truth.
becauseI cannot do so. 1t is my duty
not to tell it,"
This statement caused a commotion
among the audience.
The presiding judge resumed:
1.-THE law compels you, before even
speaking or refusing to testify, to take
the oath"
M. Casimir-Perer then submitted,
raised his hand and took the oath.
Can you say" asked M. Laboria
III, when you were president, yoa
knew before his arrest that staff
officer was suspected of treason, and
that charges had been made against
him ?"
The presiding judge interviewed, say
ing:
You cannot ask that"
This intervention upon the part OF
the judge aroused murmurs in court.
Counsel for M. zola then put an
other question to M. Casmir- Perier,
saying:
did NJ. Caslmir-Perier know that
q secret file of papers existed at the
war minister?"
Il was not aware, of a file of papers
concerning Major Esterhazy," was the
reply.
did you," continued M. Laborie.
''know that q secret document was
handed to the court martial?"
you cannot ask that question"
Interrupted the presiding Judge, a
statement which caused renewed mur-
murs.
Il do not know any facts subsequent
to my presidency" said M. Casmir-
Perier Il can only speak as a private
;itizen, which ! am willing to do"
M. Labolle here made Il formal appli-
cation, 'in the interests of Justice"
hat his previous questions be allowed
% be put.
The judges after celebrating on the
natter, refused to allow the questions.
M. DeCastro, banker, recognized
he identity of the handwriting of Ma
or Esterhazy and that of the writer of
he bordereau. The wltnsss revealed
his discovery to Matthew Dreyfus,
md, he added, he had since received a
lumber Of threatening letters.
M. Scheurer- -Kestner testified that he
earned last July that Colonel Pic
Iuart had discovered that the border
au had not been written by Dreyfus.
md he submitted Major Esterhazy's
to NJ. Bertilon, who agreed
hat it was In the same hand as the
ordereau. Witness suggested to Cen
raj Gonz that a fresh expert eXami-
alton be made, but the general dis
uaded him from so doing NJ.
was about to give
he sist Of the correspondence between
'eneral Gon@ and Colonel Picquart,
howing that General Gonz favored re-
pening of the Dreyfus case, but the
residing judge ruled that the evidence
'as inadmissible, despite M. Labore's
rotest.
M. -Kestner then detailed
10 efforts to have the Dreyfus case re-
pened by the government but never
lenlioncd Esterhaay. He had, how
YER, advised Mathieu Dreyfus, brother
Captain Dreyfus, to write to the
linister of war, which he did, de-
Esterhazy.
A tremendous rush followed the ad-
'urnment Of the court NJ Zola was
,cognized and obliged to return and
sek refuge in the robng rooms, the
Iors of which were then locked.
MA n An "a ga R AXN