The record-union., 1898-02-24
ZOLA FOUND GUILTY.
Intense Excitement Follows the
Announcement OF the Verdict.

Intense Excitement Follows the
Announcement OF the Verdict.
PARIS, Feb. 23.-There was in
creased excitement to-day in the pre-
cincts of the Palace of Justice, where
Nm. Zola and Perrieux have been on
trial since February 1th, charged by
the Government in substance with
making hbelous comment on the con-
duct of the Esterhazy court martial.
NJ Laborie, counsel for NJ. ZOla, re-
sumed his argument for the defense.
Referring to the bordereau, counsel
maintained that it was written by Ma
jor Esterhazy and said that the pres
entation of several secret documents at
the court-nlartial fully established this.
Recalling Premier Meline's refusal to
discuss the subject when NJ. Jaures,
the Socialist leader. interpellated the
Government on the subject in the
Chamber of Deputies. NJ. Laborie
said it could be concluded therefrom
that the Government had something 10
hide. Uproar)
Continuing, NJ Laborie said: Gen
eral Mercier, Minister OF War at the
time of the Dreyfus court-martlal.
wrung the sentence out Of the court
martial in defiance of all law
NJ. Laborie exclaimed: 4 believe the
country Will soon realize the gravity Of
the situation, and will revolt and pro-
test in the name of eternal morality
This is what NJ. Zola has done"
Referring to the document which
General Pellieux Unexpectedly pro-
dGced in court, purporting TO warn the
Minister of War not 10 confess that he
ever had relations with that jew"
counsel maintained that the note in
reality said. with that Jewish clique, ;"
and asserted that the authorities had
not produced the alleged discriminating
documents because III would have re-
suited not in war. but in ridicule."
The speakers touching reference to
the unhaDpiness of the Dreyfus family
the courage and abnegation of Nine
Dreyfus and the letter from Dreyfus in
September, 1897, protesting his inno-
cence more energetically than ever,
produced a profound sensation, many
of the people in the court weeping.
The speaker, NJ. Laborie justified Col
orel PicQuart's search of Major Ester
hays rooms and pointed out that the
latter Ndu ICiuSEd 10 testify Asi tbQit
Counsel further contended that General
Comes correspondence showed that
Colonel Picquart acted with the concur
renee OF his chiefs. and that the General
would have stopped the Colonel. if pos
itive proof of the guilt of Dreyfus eX-
listed.
Continuing, counsel asserted that the
Government veered round against the
\
trouble in the court and took up the at
1itude of washing its hands of the whole
affair Colonel Picquart then become
embarrassed and was shipped off to
Tunis He would according to counsel,
have been sent to the extreme confines
of Tripoli, had not General Lecliere in
IerVened.
There was commotion in court when
NJ. Laborie, referring to Dreyfus, said
his appointment on the general staff
was badly received by the Jew baiters' .
Counsel further remarked: "Dreyfus
could not have divulged anything about
the hydraulic brake for the artillery,
because the contrivance had been known
since 1889"
Here the Advocate General protested
against NJ. Laborie going outside the
Infantry officers, including Major
Esterhazy, could have been acquainted
with this contrivance. Yet, without
proof. an innocent man was arrested
who, although a jew, would be the last
man to betray secrets. for he was only
too happy to serve France as a member
OF the general staff.
NJ. Laborie then reviewed the shady
conduct" and Indebtedness Of Major
Esterhazy, who. he said, all eminent men
believe wrote the bordereau. Counsel
then asked who could be Major Ester
hays hackers. and declared that the
fairy tale" representing Emperor Will
lam Of Germany as corresponding with
preyfus was simply laughable.
III was Impossible" continued NJ.
I.aborie, TO obtain justice a the court
martial which tried Major Esterhazy.
and then a man arose. NJ. Zola, who
reeded ever. ounce of courage 10 do
this. sIurmurs in court) He stands
before YOU" added NJ Laborie. M.
ZoIa's stand was made against the Min
lister of War. who had dared, though in
good faith, to take the responsibility of
getting Drevsus condemned.
In his peroration, NJ. Laborie said:
..Don-t allow yourselves to be deceived
with the idea that the honor OF the army
is involved. because some its members
have ignored the law. Don't allow your
selves to be troubled or intimidated ny
rumors of war. Fear nothing. for the
neral energy Of the country still lives.
IT is with all the hearts of honest men
that victorious battles are achieved.
Give that example of firmness, for you
must feel that IN this man lies France
honor Protests from spectators)
Your verdict Will signify three
things: sVive rArmee.' .Nive la Re-
publioue, .yive la France. That is TO