The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-02-08

PARIS, Feb. 1.-THE trial OF 81. Emile
= Zola. who is being prosecuted by the
government as result OF the letter
( which he wrote last December 10 the
Aurore, strongly rejecting upon high
officials connected with the Dreyfus
case, opened to-day in the ussize court
4 OF the Seine. The most keen public in
terest was manifested in the Gaze.
Hundreds of people surrounded the
court, anxious TO gain admittance The
police measures taken TO insure order
were most rigorous.
The crowds increased in number all
the morning. The arrival OF Henri
\ Rochesort was the signal for shouts OF
"a bas Rochefort." Turning In the d.
rectlon OF the hostile cries. II. Rochetort
shouted: ut would seem that with four
a of you at five francs apiece. the Drey.
Z fus syndicate will not be ruined"
I NJ. Zola, who arrived in carriage
shortly afterwards, was greeted with
vehement shouts OF "Conspuez Iola!"
Z (spit upon Zo!a).
An Individual who shouted "vive
Zola" was promptly hustled and sup
! pressed. dIt
The proceedings commenced at p. IN,
under the presidency OF NJ. Delagorsue
who announced that the court would be
cleared II there was any demonstration.
Although the court was thronged.
qriet was maintained owing TO the
knowledge that q company Of Republic
can guards had been placed at the dis
posal Of the. judge to preserve order.
While the jury was being selected ".
lola entered the dock. He was pale. a
few cries of"Vive Zola" were promptly.
suppressed By the vigorous. protests OF
the majority OF the audience.
After the reading OF the Indictment,
the advocate general explained that the
charge was strictly limited to the pass
age in n. Zola's letter denouncirg the
: Esterhazy court martial.
Continuing, the advocate general said
1t was imperative TO prevent the pro-
ceedlngs from wandering. and thus
playing into the hands Of the accused.
whose aim Ia to get a revision OF the
Dreyfus affair by 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 accusation which he made
against Col. Patty du Clam and Generals
Merc.er, Boisdeffre, Billot and Pellieux.
II. Delagorgue read a number OF let
ters Of excuse. Including one from the
minister OF Justice. NJ. Darlan, an
s nouncinC that the minister for war,
Gen. Billot. had not received the au-
thori.y OF the cabinet to testify. II.
Delagorgue also read a letter from ex-
President Casimlr-Perier saying he
could not testify except as to facts sub
sequent to his presidency.
Col. Patty du Clam was then called
and refused to testify. 900
N. Laborie urged the Importance OF
his testimony, adding that unless the
court ordered the witness to testify he
might be compelled to demand an a6-
journment until the mex: asslzes.
Counsel also said he was not prepared
to oppose secret trial. II It was abso-
lutely necessary. But, continued VI.
Laborie, the allegation that the matter
they were discussing was connected
With state secrets and the national de-
tense was q mere Joke.
The advocate general thereupon pro-
tested against the national defense be-
ing called Joke. to which NJ. Laborie
hotiy replied that he would permit no
one. not even the advocate general. to
cast suspicion upon his patriotism.
= (Cheers)
The hearing Of the case was adjourn
ed at p. m. There were no sensational
incidents.