The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-08
zOLA's "TRTAL" OPENED.
And the Witnesses with One Consent Re-
gan 10 Mako Excuse.

gam 10 Make Excuse.
PARIS. Feb. 1.-THE trial OF NJ. Emile
lola ana NJ. Perreux, manager Of Au-
rore. who arc being prosecuted by the
government as the result OF letter
which the novelist caused to be publish
ed In the Aurore I'm December last,
strongly rejecting upon high officials
connected With the DTeyfus case. opened
to-day I'm the Assize Court OF the Seine
NJ. lola was represented BY NJ. La
borie. and NJ. Perreux was defended by
NJ. Clemenceau.
The proceedings commenced at +. NJ
under the presidency OF NJ. De LaGorgue'
who announced that the court would be
cleared II there was any denomination.
The Advocate-Gcneral explained that
the charge was strictly limited to the
passage I'm NJ Zola's letter denouncing
the Estorhazy court martial
Continuing the advocate general salu
Il was imperative TO preserve the pro-
ceedings from wandering and mus play
ing into the hands OF the accused. whose
aim is 10 get "a revision OF the breyius
affair by Calculations route.
~ regard 10 the limitation OF me Scoop
Of the trial the court decided 10 aioW we
accused 10 call evidence in support oil jhe
other charges tullaliHh Ait f''' 5000
cludinr the accusations which ne naae
AGAINST Colonel Patty Du Clam and Gene
raj Ncrcier Boisdefer. Billot and PclheuN
After reading the names of the witness
es summoned NJ. DE LeGorgue redn
number of letters Of excuse. includlhs one
from the Minister of Justice. NJ Darl"h'
announcing that the Minister lot wal
General Billot had not received tnS du
thoritv Of the Cabinet to TESTIFY. NJ be
LaGorgue also read leiter from oA
president Casimir- Perier. saying ne couId
NOT tostify cxcept as 10 facts subsequent
10 his presidency. uo,
Colonel Patty Du olam WIS '"''
and refused 20 testify ..
NJ laboric urged the importance OF ms
testimony. adding that unless the c"ui'
ordered the witness To TESTIFY ne ma u.
no compeled 90 demand an adjouliino"'
until the next sessions. 80.
Addressing the jury. VI. A@oorlc san"
..rbo nroof we wish 10 show you Is ~
striking that our opponents are nlahllH
efforts TO prevent its becoming "lo" Do
Ne,.ortbeIese II 70 is necessary ! VIII ue-
o,,ro IL alone. without witnesses. II l"i''
D,,evfue will remain in the galleys' ""e,e
no was placed by "a law expressly "''''
for him" Niolcnt protests .
NJ Iahorie insisted that the J""s
Dreyfns shoild give evidence ana VIZ"
Madame Bouancy. whom Hola hdu s"'a'
moned. but who has decilneo 10 "pptea
ON the ground OF ill-heaiih' shouu ''se
testify urging that she DC o'u'''U
anrear 81 necessary =,
r,horie's request for the appearancc or
Madame Bou'ancy. and urging the Cou9nIO
A. obtain verincation Of her alleged Ill
| health. Nit. ,ro.oetoa
AGAINST the absence Of the SuDpoehae"
81 1905 and referring TO the nOn-ap-
nearance of General MERCER said;
.sWhen he was Minister Of War ne sun,
mitted 10 the JUDGES OF bIgN.tiS' ,,,,seI
he back Of the prisoner and MS couhssl.
a secret document which however. ne
said was unimportant. N tins docunen :
as he declared was unimportant the IN
cidcnt is ended and there Is no t ,t,,,l,,,
need for General Mercier's testimony
but II ms alleged the secret documers
an not cxist let General MERCER come
and tell the court so and out SIDE VIII Do
wen satisfied. - ,,,.t.
ter of War into the witness-siand caused
much cOmmOtiOn in court. which was m
creased when severe! members or the
Drevfus court martial refusing TO tesu'
~ NJ. Zo'a s'enped from the dock and in
'syye must know II these men are actinr
under the orders Of the Minister OF war
or Of their own volition.
General Poisdeff was again called and
claimed exception on the ground Of pro-
fessional secrecy Whercupon NJ Laborie
shouted:
we really think the army think they
they form a separatc caste. EXEMPT from
tho laws and reenect dine 10 Justice
The court then ordered a short
adjournment until three O'Clock To al
low NJ Laborle 10 draft his argument.
On resumntion OF the bearing NJ. Tahorie
made "a speech demanding that the wits
neeses be ordered 10 attend and testify.
The court postponed decision un'n to'
morrow and the case was adjourned