The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-23
M. LABoRlE ARGUES FOR lola.
Shows Hollowness of the Case Agains'
His Client.

Paris. February 22.-The precincts
md 1obbies of the Palace of Justice were
deserted today but the Assizes court It,
self was thronged.
M Laborie. counsel for M. lola re-
sumed his argument for the defense. He
reviewed the case from
the arrest of Alfred Dreyfus, pointing
ont that as Major Patty du Clam inter
dicted Nine. Drefyus from speaking the
announcement of his arrest published by
the Iibre Parloe and Relair alone, must
have been communicated by the ministry
of war
Continuing, M. Laborie charged the
Iibre Parole and Relair with lying in re-
gard to the guilt of Dreyfus and referred
to Major Patty du CLAIMS attempt to in
timidate Dreyfus and Major Forsinitte's
belief in the latter's innocence. He dealt
with the court martial's decision to con-
Duct the trial in secret, in spite OF the
protests of the press. He said this was
the reason for the uncsasing protests in
behalf Of Dreyfus, (which troubled all
high minded persons.
Counsel for the defense declared that
eight months prior to the arrest of Drey-
fus the ministry of war possessed photo
graphs of the paper containing the ex-
preston "that scoundrel of d. and
showing that French officer had had re-
lations with two foreign military at
taches. This document NJ. Laborie
pointed out, did not refer to Dreyfus, but
all the same the culpability of Dreyfus
was founded upon it and it was this
document which the yelled woman
handed to Major Esterhazy, the latter
only surrendering it to the minister OF
war on securing receipt
Referring to Gen. MERCER, M. Liabor1e
said: Maybe he is brave soldier, put
he is not familiar with great AFFAIRS. ~
the absence of proofs he substituted MS
own arbitrary Impression and thus mas
an innocent man condemned.
Counsel also asked why the document
referring to ''that soundrel D. had
not been previously spoken of, as the de-
Tense could have brought into y court
foreigners who disputed its genulneness.,
The statement caused co,nmotlon ana
re1narking: 'eWe would not have neard
them"
"If we did not summon them" con-
tinued Nj. Laborie sit was because we
wished to discuss between Frenohmen
alone an affair solely concerning French
men,"
"However opinions may differ in this
affair." III. Laborie explained, IN the
hour Of danger we all show solid front
Then denouncing the action OF the
prosecution in having Dreyfus write from
diotation, counsel said: Such trick
proved the emptiness Of the prosecution.
for had they possessed proof of his guilt
they would not have had recourse TO such
theatrical effects at the opening OF the
court martial, and the judges having
onJy the Bordereau would have acquitted
Dreyfus had not, contrary to all laws,
their Judgment been led astray by the
secret communication of a document.
Counsel, after reading an account of the
court martial, added: "a have all the
papers concerning the affair in my hands
and | solemnly affirm that there Is MOTH
ing in them against Dreyfus. pledge
you my honor, gentlemen. tna5 Unere Is
no proof against Dreyfus.
The statement made commotlon and
there were marks of appreciation among
the public. A short adjournment OF the
court followed, during which number OF
persons shook hands with Nd. Laborle,
whose moderate but firm utterances MADE
considerable impression upon the audi
ence
When the hearing was resumed, M.
Laborie referred to the alleged confession
of Dreyfus to Captain Lebrun- Renault
and remarked: 'tIf a written report OF 1t
exists it was drawn up as an after-thought
and 1 could have proved it by witnesses,
had Captain Lebrun- Renault testified.
Recalling Premier Meline's declaration
in the Chamber of Deputies in reply to
ex- Minister Cavanch, that the presents
ton of this report would open the door
for q revision for the trial, III. Zolh's
counsel said: 'The report was not pro-
duced because the alleged confession was
neither possible nor probable.
M. Laborie then gave moving de-
scription of the degradation of Dreyfus.
He recalled that amid the shouts OF
"death'' from the pitiless crowd Dreyfus
had not ceased to cry "Vive la France"
and swear, upon the heads of his wife and
children that he was completely innocent:
"Dreyfus," NJ Laborie asserted "on,y
appealed for one act of mercy-that the
ministry should continue the inquiry.
(Co1nmotion.
After this M. Laborie read series OF
letters written by Dreyfus to counsel and
to his family, in which the prisoner al
WAYS demanded that the real culprit
should be sought, and added: Ii M.
Melipe did not produce the report of
Captain Jlehrun- Renault it was because
the vehement protestation of innocence of
Dreyfus troubled his mind and for the
moment his sense of judicial rectitude
had prevailed over his conception of
political consideration. Sensation
Gin order to obtain avowals," M.
I,abor,e proceeded, "the prosecution went
to the point of fraud. Did not Major
Patty du Clam say to Dreyfus: The
minister will receive you if you go to con
fess?'
Thereupon counsel dwelt upon MAJOR
Patty du CLAIMS Interrogation of Dreyfns,
in which Dreyfus agreed there was some
resem blance in the details of his writing
and that of the Bodereau. but that taken
altogether thoy were quite distinct, said
he, Dreyfus, affirmed his innocence, coun-
sci adding: ''That monument of false
hoods and hypocrisy, has been built up,
falsehoods for the abettors, hypocrisy for
the stronger and guiltier parties. Let
these men know this Let them listen to
my words and remember that the name
which occupies in his story the most
humiliating place is that of "Pontius
PLATE vehement applause.)
NJ Laborie spoke until the court ad-
journed. He will continue his argument
tomorrow. After the court adjourned M.
Laborie received vertible ovation. cries
of ''Vive Laborie. u
Mingling with counter cries of "Vive
r ND &C haS loo inifc -