The record-union., 1898-02-08
TRIAL OF lola
BEGUN AT PARIS.
The Keenest Public Interest Mani
tested in the Case.
Hundreds Of People Surround the Court,
Anxious to Gain Admittance.
No Evidence Will be Allowed Re-
1ating to the Dreyfus Case, the
Acknowledgement Stating That
the Charge Was Strictly Limit
ed to the Passage in Zo1a's Let
ter Denouncing the Esterhazy
Court-Martial.

/ ~>~-~S
Court-Martisl.
PARIS. Feb. THE trial of NJ Emile
lola and M. Perreux, manager of the
| "Aurore," who are being prosecuted by
the Government as the result of let
ter which the novelist caused to be
published in the "Aurore" in December
last strongly rejecting upon high Off
Gals connected with the DreyfuS case,
opened to-day in the AssiZes Court of
the Seine. NJ. lola was represented
by NJ. Laborie, and M. PerreuX was
defended by M. Clemenceau.
The most keen public interest was
manifested in the case Hundreds of
people surrounded the court, anxious to
gain admittance. The crowds in
creased in number all the morning. The
arrival of Henri Rochefort was the sig
nal for shouts of "Vive Rochefort'
and counter cries of "AbaS Rochefort."
Turning in the direction Of the hostile
cries, NJ Rochefort shouted: 1T would
seem that with four of you at francs
apiece. the Dreyfus syndicate will not
be ruined
shortly afterward, was greeted with
vehement shouts of "Conspuez lola"
(spit upon Zola). An individual who
shouted Viva Zola'' was promptly
hustled and suppressed.
The proceedings commenced at 1
| p. m. under the Presidency of M. de lie
Gorgue, who announced that the court
would be cleared if there was any dem
thronged, quiet was maintained, owing
to the knowledge that a company of
Republican Guards had been placed at
the disposal of the Judge to preserve
| order.
While the jury was being selected NJ.
lola entered the dock He was pale.
A few cries of "Viva Zola" We're
promptly suppressed by the vigorous
protests of the majority of the audi
ence.
After the reading of the indictment
the Advocates General explained that
the charge was strictly limited to the
passage in NJ Zola's letter denouncing
the Esterhazy court martial. Contin-
uing, the Advocate General said it was
imperative to prevent the proceedings
from wandering, and thus playing into
the hands of the accused, whose aim
it is to get a revision of the Dreyfus
affair by a circuitous route
The court decided to allow the ac-
cused to call evidence in support of the
other charges contained in his letter,
including the accusations which he
made against Colonel Patty du Clam
and Generals MERCER, Boisdeffre. Billot
and Pellieux.
NJ. de le Gorgue read a number of
letters of excuse, including one from
the Minister of Justice, NJ. Darlan. an
nouncing that the Minister for War.
General Billot, had not received the
authority of the Cabinet to testify. Cen
eral de lie Gorgue also read a letter
from ex-President Casimir- Perier, say
ing he could not testify except as to
facts subsequent to his Presidency.
Colonel Patty de Clam was then called.
and refused to testify.
NJ. Laborie urged the importance of
his testimony, adding that unless the
court ordered the witness to testify he
might be compelled to demand an adj
Journment until the next session. Coun
sci also said he was not prepared to
oppose a secret trial, if 1t was abso-
lutely necessary. But. continued La
borie, the allegation that the matter
they discussed was connected with
State secrets, and national defense was
mere joke.
The Advocate General then protested
against the national defense being
called joke, to which NJ Laborie hot
ly replied that he would not permit
anyone, not even the Advocate General
(Cheers)
Addressing the jury NJ Laborie said:
The proof We wish to show Won is
SO striking that our own opponents are
making efforts 10 prevent its becoming
known. Nevertheless. If it is neces-
sary. l Will declare it alone, without
witnesses. If / fail, Dreyfus viii re-
main in the salieys, where he was
placed by law expressly made for
him. tVfolent protests)
NJ. Laborie insisted that the Judges
of Dreyfus should give evidence and
that Madame Boulancy. whom lola had
summoned, but who has declined to
appear on the ground Of ill-health.
should also testify, urging that she be
ordered TO appear. If necessary. Coun-
sci added that Madame Boulancy. in
addition to the notorious Uhlan letter.
possess ed others from Major Esterhazy.
outrageously insulting the French
army, which had not been published.
NJ. Laborie further contended that Ma
jor EsterhaZy was prosecuting Madame
Boulancy in order to prevent her from
surrendering the letters
Counsel for the .Aurore" supnorted
NJ. Laborie's request for the appearance
of Madame Boulancy. and urging the
court to obtain a verifcation of her al
legged i'll health.
Later on NJ. Laborie insisted that the
dispositions made before the examining
magistrate be read in court This was
opposed by the Attorney General. on
the ground that the examination was
not concluded.
NJ. Laborie then violently protested
against the absence of the subpenaeyl
witnesses. Referring to the non-ap-
pearance of General MERCER he said.
when he was Minister Of War he sub
mitted to the Judges OF Dreyfus, behind
the back of the prisoner and his coun-
sci, a secret document. which, however,
he said, was unimportant. II this doc
ument, as he declared was unimpor-
tant, then the incident is ended, and