The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-22
THE ARGUMENT OF lola.
he Dcn0uuces the Proceedings as
Abominablc Manners.
IS NOT DEFENDING HIS LIBERTY
Denies That He Is I'm Italian aud
swcnrs That Drcyfus Il Innocent.
Hisscs and Protests.

| to the assixes court of the Seine in the
palace OF Justice, though the court itself
was packed with people NJ. Emile lola was
Missed when he reached the court
| The advocate general commenced his adj
dress. He declared that NJ. Zola's assertions
that the Esterhazy courtmartisA acquitted
a guilty person In accordance wth the SUI
perior orders remained entirely improved.
Major Esterhazy, he added. could not be
| the author of the bordereau. aud he pro-
| tnsted against certain newspapers accusing
officers OF seeking to overthrow the repub-
lie In conclusion the advocate general cx-
pressed confidence tina: the jury would con-
| denim NJ. lola without hesitation.
| The advocate general severely criticised
the attitude Of Colonel Picquart and NJ.
LeBorie and regarding the reproach that
the courtmartial OF Major Esterhazy was
conducted behind closed uoois he sad that
| when a question OF ioreign aitairs is unuer
discussion the matter must be iuugsd
| among Frenchmcn."
| He added: .1ne Esterhaay court proved
| the fact that they were divided In opini1n
on the question of the trial taking p.aee
behind closed doors, but they were unan-
imous in acquitting the officer
1
pended
When the session was resumed. Nj. Zoia
| read an address to the court, in whica he
said that the premier. NJ. Meiiae, had the
air OF giving tie jury, who are charged TO
4 avenge the National honor, the order to
| md me guilty" Cloud protests,)
The presiding judge said: You can not
say that the premier has given an order
to condemn YOU"
Continuing, ID. lola said; Such pro-
ceedings are an abominabc piece OF 70
];litical manners. l have never insuted the
army, as has been said; but have raist
cry of alarm, and l leave history to
Judge me and to appreciate my acts.
| Those who dishonor France" NJ lola
said ARE those who mingc cries OF Nive
! l'armee with 'Abas les Julfs' and Vye
! Esterhazy after the letters he has writ
| ten" (Mufmurs.) III | am here ii is be-
| cause ] wished IL. 1t is | who asked to APP
pear before you, who are the voice OF JUS
| tice. II Is for you gentlemen that l ra e
the cry of alarm, and that ! wish TO briag
out the truth, perhaps unsuccessfully, but
here | stand before you and await your
Justice"
/ The speech OF the distinguished defend
| ant was constantly interrupted by Kisses
and protests.
| NJ lola complained OF the prevailing
state of lassitude and exclaimed
! Your thoughts. which | think ! can
read on your faces. are. we have had
enough CT it. The matter must be brought
to an end
| II am not defending my liberty" NJ. zola
said to the jury, in presenting myself TO
| YOU | am defending the truth. Look me
| in the face. gentlemen. Have I been
| bought or am | traitor? | am a free
writer who intends to resume his vocation
and again take up his INTERRUPTED labors.
| ! Indignantly protest against the charge OF
being an Italian.
| "No.' he added, 81 am not defending my
| liberty, Condemn me. then. II YOU wish,
IL Will be but an additional error. 1t will
be the seed which will terminate and pre-
vent France from falling into indifference
IF the country is in trouble the fault
| lies with the government who in their
effort 10 save some culprlt, had tried TO
| prevent The truth from coming into the
! light of day.
| fThe life of the people is at stake. II
! is for you. gentlemen of the jury TO utter
| the truth upon this affair and render JUS
| tice."
NJ ZoIa dwelt upon the fact that the
entire people mad been thrown into painful
anguish through doubts of the outlines
| OF Dreyfus and said:
"The government. who know all and who
| like Won. are convinced of tile innocence OF
| Dreyfus. will one day make 1t known and
will publish IL without running any risk
| Then. raising his voice. NJ, lola three
! times proclaimed the following;
Before all tho world. swear Dreyfus
/ is innocent"
Loud murmurs and Kisses from the bacl,
| of the court greeted this utterance.
NJ. lola concluded by saying:
1.-THE day will come whom France will
thank me for saving her honor" PRO
longod uproar).
M. LaBorie. counsel for NJ. lola, followed
a ,..t.t ali, ic nal In
words Eve are here in defense OF justice
! and right were hailed with loud protests
! from the back OF the court room. but Coun-
eel continued. reproaching the authorities
for "being led astray BY passing interests
and with mot wishing to deal with the
| Dreyfus affair. although there are few sen
ators or deputies who doubt his innocence
Nevertheless continued NJ. Lahore
truth Will prevail The elections will no
be allowed 10 rass amid mystery and am
1 biguities'' (Renewed protests).
4 NJ. LaBorie then thanked "ail those per.
sonages of the Intellectual elite OF France
who had the courage 10 seek for truth apt
light"
Counsel referred 10 the INSPIRED articles
Ian the press. intended to deceive the coun
try." and said: III syndicate exists Il
| Is a syndicate OF cool faith and loyalty
whose aim is TO obtain justice and righ'
In the interests OF the entire country AM
/
your perspicacity."
This caused violent uoroar. agains
which NJ. LsBorie yehemently protested.
\ An individual in the back OF the cour
room, shouted: How much have they pa't
lyou?''
TO this NJ. LaBorle retorted
"If we had been paid. such as you would
tave applauded us"
NJ Lahore ib.n proceeded 10 reproacl
the premier with refusing to allow general
70 he Judged before Jury. and he ASKED;
.fAre generals then above the legal con
science OF tn. country? Our opnonent
talked OF confidence in the armv- We 100
have confidence Ia II; but. is II moi az
insult IL the army to raise a cry Of alarm
az NJ. Zola has done. lie spoke in ssronI
terms ~ the army
M LsBorie declared that he intended =
crcyc NJ ZoIa's eeod faith and review IN
whole affair. "gropins into things h'thert
urkrcwn." ana the court then adjourned.
Naither NJ Zoia's nor the advocate gen
.rare address was REGARDED rs remarkable
The latter spoke In cold, psssionies