The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-23
COUNSEL WINS THE CROWD.
LABORI MAKING A GREAT SPEECH
IN ZOLA'S DEFENSE.

Yer-He ChrOnOIOgically Reviews
the Case From the Arrest of Alfred
Dreyfus-He Refers to Mai. Patty
du CLAIMS Attempt to Intimidnte
Dreyf fus and to Mai. F0rseinettrs
Belief In His Innocence.
Paris, Feb. 22.-The precincts and lobbies
of the palace of justice were deserted to-
Zola and Perrieux for the allegations
which the former brought in the Aurore,
published by the latter, against the con-
duct of the Esterhazy court martial The
Assizes Court itself was thronged.
NJ. Labori, counsel for NJ Zola. resum-
ed his argument for the defense He chro-
nologically reviewed the case from the ar
rest of Alfred Dreyfus, pointing out that
as Maj Patty du Clam interdcted Madame
Dreyfus from speaking. the announcement
of his arrest. published by the Libre Pa
role and Eclair alone. must have been
communicated by the ministry for war.
Continuing, M. Iabori charged the Libre
Parole and Eclair with lying in regard to
the guilt of Dreyfus. and referred to Maj
Patty du CLAIMS attempt to
intimated Dreyfus, and to Maj.
Forseinetu's belief in the latter's inno-
cence. He also dealt with the court mar
tails decision to conduct the trial in Sc
cret in spite of the protests of the press.
He said this was the reason of the unceas-
ing protests in behalf of Dreyfus (which
troubled all high-minded persons" adding
1.-THE strength of those of our adversarles
who are acting in good faith, lies in their
belief that the whole affair was conducted
with justice and legality. but the facts do
not bear out this belief" (Murmurs)
Counsel for the defense then declared
that eight months prior to the arrest of
Dreyfus the minister of war possessed
photos of the paper containing the ex-
preston that scoundrel of a D." and
showing that a French officer had rela-
lions with two foreign military attaches
This document, M. Labori pointed out
did not refer to Dreyfus but all the same
the charge against Dreyfus was founded
upon It, and it was the document which
the veiled lady handed to Maj. EsterhaZy
the latter only surrendering 1t to the min
ister for war on securing receipt.
Referring to Gen. Mereier NJ. Laborl
said maybe he Is a brave soldier, but
he is not familiar with great affairs. In
the absence of proofs he substituted his
own arbitrary impression, and thus had
an innocent man condemned"
Counsel asked also why the document
referring to that "scoundrel D." had
not been previously spoken of, as the de-
asr4N tafy
foreigners who have disputed its gem
uineness.
The statement caused a sensation i'm the
court and the presiding judge interrupted
counsel to say: I'VE would not have
heard them"
"If we did not summon them" NJ. La
bori said, sit was because we wished to
discuss between Frenchmen alone an af-
fair solely concerning Frenchmen."
However opinions may differ in this af-
fair" NJ Labori explained, "in the hour
of danger we all show a solid front to the
foreigner" (ApplauseG
Then denouncing the action of the pros
ecution in having Dreyfus write from die
tation, counsel said: "Such trick prov
ed 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 only
the bordereau, would have acquitted
Dreyfus had not, contrary to all laws,
their judgment been led astray by the Sc
cret admission of a document"
Counsel reviewed the act of the court
martial, and added: Il have all the papers
concerning the affair In my hands, and I
solemnly affirm that there is nothing in
them against Dreyfus. / pledge you my
honor. gentlemen, that there is no proof
against Dreyfus"
The statement made commotion, and
there were marks of appreciation among
the public.
A short adjournment of the court fol-
lowed, during which a number of persons
shook hands with NJ. Labori, whose mod
crate, but firm utterances made a con-
siderable impression upon the audience.
When the hearing was resumed NJ. La
bori referred to the alleged confession Of
Dreyfus to Capt lie un-Renault and re-
marked "If a written report of II exists
it was drawn up as an after-thought, and
l could have proved II by witnesses had
Capt. lie Brun- -Renault testified"
Recalling NJ. Meline's declaration in the
Chamber of Deputies, in reply to ex-AIin-
lister Cavignac, that the presentation of
this report would open the door for a re-
vision of the trial, M Zola's counsel read:
Inc report was not produced because the
alleged confession was neither possible or
probable"
M. Labori then gave a moving descrlp-
tion of the degradation OF Dreyfus. He
recalled that amid shouts of death" from
the pitiless crowd, Dreyfus had not eeas-
ed to cry, "Vlve la France" and swear
upon the heads of his wife and children
that he was completely innocent "Drey-
fus,' NJ. Labori asserted. only appealed
for one act of mercy-that the ministry
should continue the inquiry" (Commo-
tion).
After this NJ. Laborl read a series OF let
ters written by Dreyfus 10 counsel and to
his family, In which the prisoner always
demanded that the real culprit should be
sought, and added: IF NJ. Meline did not
produce the report of Capt. lie Brun-Re-
nault Il was because the vehement pro-
testations of innocence of Dreyfus
troubled his mind, and for the moment
his sense OF judicial reetitude had prevail
ed over his conception Of political consId-
Grafton" (Sensation)
"In order to obtain avowals," NJ. La
bori proceeded" the prosecution went 20
the point OF a fraud. Did not Maj. Patty
du Clam say to Dreyfus, the minister win
receive you II you 20 10 CongressT"
Thereupon counsel dwelt upon Mai. Patty
du CLAIMS Interrogation of Dreyfus In
...t.toJ, a ostce.H tlara rvao uoraa 70