The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-02-09

VIC SNhlus but AhuS NO |lnloiint-
tlon-The Court Decides Tint Recnl-
cltrant Witnesses Must Testify.
Paris, Feb. 9.-There was a terrific
struggle FOR seats in the court room
yesterday before the opening Of the trial
Of NM. Zola and Perreux, people fight
ing their way with blows and kicks. The
entrance of NJ. Zola was the signal for
an outburst, during which the follow
cries Of "Vive Zola' were drowned by
shouts of "A Bias Zola." The crowd
pushed and hustled, and ladies climbed
upon the benches recklessly, in order
to avoid the crushing. When the Judge
entered the scene was so tumultuous
that he directed the municipal guards
to force the crowds from the doors
ana to remove some Of the people from
the overcrowded halls.
When the proceedings opened the
presiding judge read a letter from
Count Esterhazy refusing to testify,
WhereupOn ZOla's counsel insisted that
he should be brought into court by
force. The court admitted the claims
of the defense, and decided that Cen
eral MERCER, the former minister Of
war, and Major Patty du Clam should
be resummoned.
The also decided that the other
witnesses alleged to be i'll should be
visited by a doctor, and tina If found
able to appear they should be resum-
moned.
Madame Drefyus was the first wit
ness yesterday. She was dressed in
black, and was much distressed.
M. Laborie, who examined her, asked
what she thought Of NJ. zola's good
faith, and whether she could say un-
der what circumstances she was in
formed by Major Patty du Clam, in 1894,
of her husbands arrest. The judge de-
clined to put the last question.
NJ. lola here rose and cried: IL de-
sire the same treatment as the assas-
sin or the thief. They have always the
right to defend themselves, but 1 am
deprived of this. l am Knocked and in
suited in the streets and the obscene
press drags me in the mud. You see,
gentlemen Of the jury, the position !
I'm in. l wish to have my witnesses
heard, but l am prevented"
The judge answered.: Il will enter
your protest if you desire, but l annot
put questions which are foreign to the
Indictment, in order to arrive at a re-
vision of the Dreyfus case, which has
already been determined"
Mr.. Laborie protested, and there was
a scene of widest excitement in the
court room, everybody shouting loudly.
Meanwhile Nine. Dreyfus was taken to
the witness room with violent hysteria.
There was much stir in court when
1t was that NJ. Cassimir-
Perier, the former president of France,
would be the next witness. When he
was called the presiding judge said:
You swear to speak without ami
mus and fear, and to speak the truth,
and nothing but the TRUTH"
NJ. Casimir-Perier at this point in
t%errupted the judge, saying: Pardon
me. / cannot swear to tell the truth,
because 1 cannot do so. 1t is my duty
not to tell it,"
This statement caused a commotion
among the audience.
The presiding judge resumed:
THE law compels you, before even
speaking or refusing to testify, to take
the oath"
M. Casimir-Perier then submitted,
raised his hand and took the oath
"Can you say" asked NJ. Laborie,
IF, when you were president, you
knew before his arrest that a staff
officer was suspected of treason, and
that charges had been made against
him?"
The presiding judge interviewed, say
ing:
You cannot ask that"
This Intervention upon the part of
the judge aroused in court.
Counsel for NJ. Zola then put an
other question to NJ. Casimir-Perier
saying:
Did M. Casimir-Perier know that
a secret file of paper existed at the
wal Minister"
Il was not aware of a file of papers
concerning Major Esterhazy," was the
reply.
Did you" continued NJ. Laborie,
know that a secret document was
handed to the court martial?"
You cannot ask that question:
interrupted the presiding judge, a
statement which caused renewed muir
murs.
81 do not know any facts subsequent
to my presidency" said Nj. Casimir-
Perier. 81 can only speak as a private
citizen, which l am willing to do"
NJ. Laborie here made a formal appli-
cation, lin the interests of justice, .
that his previous questions be allowed
to be put.
The judges. after celebrating on the
matter, refused to allow the questions
NJ. DeCastro, a banker, recognized
the identity of the handwriting of Ma
jor EsterhaZy n that of the writer OF
the bordereau. The witness revealed
this discovery to Matthew Dreyfus
and, he added, he had since received
number of threatening letters.
Nj IEagfnar fngtfana that l.,
learned last July that Colonel Pic,
quart had discovered that the border.
eau had not been written by Dreyfus
and he submitted Major Esterhazy's
handwriting to NJ. Bertillon, who agreed
that 1t vas in the same hand as the
bordereau. Witness suggested to Gen.
eral Con that a fresh expert exami.
nation be made, but the general dis.
suaded him from so doing. NJ
Scheurer-Kestner was about to give
the gist of the correspondence between
General Gonz and Colonel Picquart
showing that General Gonz favored re,
opening of the Dreyfus case, but the
presiding judge ruled that the evidence
was inadmissible, despite M. Laborie'i
protest.
M. Scheurer-Kestner then detailed
his efforts to have the Dreyfus case re
opened by the government, but neve.
mentioned Esterhazy. He had, how
ever, advised Matthew Dreyfus, brothe
of Captain Dreyfus, to write to tn
minister of war, which he did, de
nouncing Esterhazy.
A tremendous rush followed the ad
journment of the court. M. Zola wa