The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-02-22
n. EMILE ZOLA'S PLEA.
The Distinguished French Novelist
Addresses the Jury.
HE ACCUSES PREMIER MELINE.

DeclhfeS mat the B"reSldent'S ChIef
Advisor Has Ordered the Jury to
return a Verdict of Guilty-He Wig
orously Asserts Dreyfus' Innocence.
Paris, Feb. 22.-The court was packed
with people yesterday when the lola
trial opened. There was no demonstra-
ton when the military officers arrived,
but M. Emile lola was Kissed when he
reached the court.
The proceedings opened with the adj
dress of the ADVOCATE general, who de-
clared that NJ. Zola's assertion that the
Esterhazy court martial acquitted a
guilty person in accordance with SUI
perior orders remained entirely unprov-
ed. Major Esterhazy, he added, could
not be the author of The bordereau,
and he protested against certain
papers accusing officers of seeking to
overthrow the republic. In conclusion
the advocate general expressed con.
hdence that the jury would condemn NJ.
Hola without hesitation.
M. lola next addressed the court, af-
hrming his good faith, and he created
a sensation by accusing the premier,
M. Meline, of having ordered the jury
to avenge the national honor by re-
turning a verdict of guilty, whereupon
the presiding judge told NJ. lola that
he must not make such charges.
Continuing NJ. lola declared that the
government knew everything, was per-
fectly aware hat Dreyfus was inno-
cent, and that the ministers themselves
would some day announce his inno-
cence. II swear before the whole world
that Dreyfus is innocent exclaimed
n - A--l 49, "
will hank me for saving her honor"
Such proceedings are an abominable
piece of political 1 have never
insulted the army, as has been said, but
l have raised a cry of alarm, and 1
leave history y judge me and to APP
p~reciate my acts. Those who dishonor
France are those who mingle cries of
'Vive Tarmee' with "A bas les Juifs'
and 'Vive Esterhazy' after the letters
he has written. If l am here, it is be-
cause l wished it. 1t is 1 who asked to
appear before you. who are the voice
of justice. 1t is for you, gentlemen,
that l raise the cry of alarm, and that
I wish to bring out the truth, perhaps
unsuccessfully, but here stand before
you and wait you justice.
81 am not defending my liberty in
ttNSSANAAit hAg 0NAA b1AcAC gou L GILL dt-
Tending the truth. Look me in the face,
gentlemen. Have l been bought or am
l a traitor? 1 am a free writer, who in
tends to resume his vocation and again
take up his interrupted labors. Con-
denim me, then, If you wish. 1t will be
but an additional error. 1t will be the
seed which will terminate and prevent
France from falling into Indifference.
"If the country 10 In trOIhla the fnI1t
lies with the government, who in the
hope of saving some culprit had tried
to prevent the truth from coming into
the light of day. The very life of the
people is at stake. 1t is for you, gentle
men of the jury, to utter the truth upon
this affair and render justice"
The speech of the distinguished de-
PENDANT was constantly interrupted by
Kisses and protests.
NJ. Laborie, counsel for M. lola, fol-
lowed with an eloquent speech. His
opening words, I'VE are here in defense
Of justice and right" were hailed with
loud protests from the back of the court
room, but counsel continued, reproach-
Ing the authorities for being led astray
by passing interests and with not wish
ing to deal with the Dreyfus affair, al
though there are few nate or dep
uties who doubt his innocence. Never
theless," continued NJ. Laborie, truth
will prevail. The elections will not be
allowed to pass amid mystery and am
biguities."
NJ. Laborie then proceeded to re-
proach the premier with refusing to al
low generals to be judged before the
jury, n he asked: Are generals,
then, above the legal conscience of the
country? Our opponents talked of con-
fdence in the army. blu it is now an in
suit to the army to raise a cry of alarm,
as NJ. lola has don He spoke in strong
terms, but he did not insult the army"
The court then adjourned.