Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-08
GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST MANI
TESTED IN THE CASE.
COL. CLAM CALLED ON TO TESTIFY.
He Very Appropriately Refuses to
Open His Mouth-CounseI for De-
Made 20 Give Evidence.

IN the AGrOTf IN December last, strongly
rejecting upon high officials connected
with the Dreyfus case. opened to-day in
the Assize Court of the Seine.
NJ. lola was represented by NJ. Labo-
RE and NJ Perreux was defended by NJ
Clemenceau.
Great public interest was manifested
IN the case. The police measures taken
to insure order were rigorous.
NJ. Zola. who arrived in carriage, was
greeted with vehement shouts Of Con
spuez lola" spit upon Zola) An indi-
yidual who shouted "Vive lola" was
promptly suppressed.
The proceedings commenced at l p. ~,
under the presidency OF NJ. de LegoTgue
who announced that the court would be
!. cleared If there was an demonstration.
Although the court was thrOngeu, or
der was maintained owing TO the know
ledge that a company of Republican
Guards was placed at the entrance of the
Palais de Justice 10 preserve order
While the jury was being selected, NJ.
Zola entered the dock. He was pale. a
few cries OF "Viye lola" were promptly
suppressed by the vigorous protest OF the
majority of the audience.
After the reading of the indictment the
Acknowledgement explained that the
charge was strictly limited to the pas
sage In NJ. Zola's letter denouncing the
EsterhaZy court-martial.
Continuing, the Acknowledgement said
il was imperative 20 preserve the pro
ceedngs from wandering. and thus play
ing into the hands Of the accused, whose
aim is to get a revision of the Dreytus
affair by a crcuitous route
In regard TO limitation OF the scope OF
the trial. the Court decided to allow the
accused to call evidence in support Of the
other charges contained in his letter, IN
GLIDING the accusations which he made
against Colonel Patty du Clam, and Gene
rails Mercler Boisdeffre, Billot, and Pei
lieux.
LETTERS OF EXCUSE.
After reading the names OF the wit
nesses summoned, NJ de Legorgue read
n number Of letters Of excuse. including
one from the Minister Of Justice NJ. Oar
Ian. announcing that the Minister FOR
War. General Biiot, had not received the
authority of the Cabinet to testify. NJ
de LagOrgue also read a letter from eX-
President Casmir-Perier, saying he could
not testify except as 10 facts subsequent
to his presidency.
Colonel Patty du Clam was then called
and refused to testify.
NJ. Laborie urged the importance OF
his testimony, adding that unless me
Court ordered the witness to testify, ne
might be compelled TO demand an ad-
iournment until the next sessions. Coun-
sci also said he was not prepared to OPP
pose a secret trial If It was absolutely
necessary. but. continued NJ. Lahore
the allegation that the matter they were
discussing was connected with state Sc
crets and the national defence was
mere Joke. The Acknowledgement there
upon protested against the national de-
fence being called a joke, TO which NJ.
Laborie hotly replied that he would per-
NIT no one, not even the Advocate-Gehe-
raj. to cast suspicion upon his PATRIOTISM.
| (Cheers) ia.
Addressing the jury, NJ. Laborie SAID;
"Tbe proof we wish TO show you Is
so striking that our opponents are making
efforts TO prevent its becoming known.
Nevertheless, IL it is necessary, 1 VIII
! declare ii alone without witnesses. If /
fail. Dreysus will remain in the galleys'
where he was placed by a law expressly
made for him." Violent protests)
NJ. Laborie insisted that the judges OF
Dreyfus should give evidence, and thar
Madame Boulancy, whom Zola had sum-
moned. but who has declined to appear on
the ground of i'll health, should also tesu-
fv, urging that she be ordered to appear
If necessary
Counsel added that Madame Boulancy'
in addition 10 the notorious uhlan letter.
possessed others from Major Esternazy'
outrageously insulting the French army
which had not been published.
NJ. Iaborie further contended that
Major Esterhazy was prosecuting
Madame Boulancy in order 10 prevent
her from surrendering the letters.
Counsel for the Aurore supported NJ.
I.aborie's request for the appearance OF
Madame Boulancy. and urged the court
to obtain a verifcatiCn Of her alleged
i'll health.
DEMAND FOR MERCER.
! Later on. NJ. Laborie insisted that the
DISPOSITIONS made before the examining
magistrate be read in court This was
opposed by the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, on the
ground that the examination was not
concluded. NJ. IabOrie then vehementiy
protested against the absence Of the
subpoenaed witnesses, and, referring 10
the non-appearance Of General MERCER
said: when he was Minister of war ne
submitted TO the judges of Dreyfus, De
hind the back Of the prisoner ana ms
counsel n secret document. which, how
every. ne said. was unimportant If THIS
document as he declared. was unimpor-
tant. the incident is ended and there IS
no further need for General Mercier's
testimony. but II, as alleged. the secret
document did not exist, let General Mer-
cier come and tell the court so, and our
side will be well satisfied"
This attempt 70 drag the former Minis
ter Of War 20 the witness-stand caused
much commotion I'm court which was In
creased when several members of the
Drevfus court-martial. refusing to testi-
fv. NJ lola stepped from the dock, and
Indignantly cried: I'VE must know II
these men are acting under the orders
of the Minister Of War or Of their own
volition."
General Boisdeffre was again called. ana
claimed exemption on the ground OF pro
fessional secrecy whereupon Nj. Laborie
shouted: 1--WE really think the army re-
gard themselves as forming a separate
caste exempt from the laws and the re-
spect due to justice"
The court then ordered a short adjourn
menr until s O'Clock TO allow NJ. Laborie
to draft his argument
on resumption of the hearing, NJ. Labo-
rie made a speech demanding that the
witnesses be ordered TO attend and
testify.
The court postponed decision until ITO
morrow, and the case was adjourned.