The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-08
witnesses Summoned Tor Zo|0 Alke
Their Excuses.
COUNSEL FOR DEFENSE BECOMES INDIGNANT

Paris, February Z. |;

The trial Of NJ. Emile Zola and NJ
Perrcnx, mana ger of the Aurore. who
are pelhS prosecuted by the govern
ment as the result Of q letter which
the novelist caused TO be published in
Inc Aurore In December last, strongly
rejecting upon high officials connect
ed with the Dreyfus case, opened to-
day In the Assize court Of the Seine
NJ. Hoia was represented by NJ. Laborie
and NJ PerreuX was defended by M
Clemenccau.
Great public interest was manifested
in the case. The police measures taken
10 insure order were rigorous Zola,
who arrived in carriage, was greeted
with vehement shouts OF "ConsuiZ 20
Ia Spit upon Zola). An Individual
who shouted "Vive Zola" was prompt :
ly suppressed
The proceedings commenced al 1 u.
m under the presidency Of NJ. Dele
SorGue, who announced that the court
would be cleared if there was any
demonstration. Although the court
was thronged, quiet was maintained,
owing 10 the knowledge that Il com
pany of Republican guards had been
placed at the disposal OF the Judge TO
preserve order. While the jury Was be-
ing selected NJ. lola entered the dock.
lie was pale. y few cries of "Vivc
Aola were pomptly suppressed by the
vigorous protests of the majority i'm
the audience
Alier the reading OF the Indictment
the Auvoca te-Gcneral explained that
the charge was strictly limited to the
passage III NJ. Iola's letter denouncinm
lne ESterhazy Court-martial Contin-
ulng, the Advocate G eneral said #
was imperative TO prevent the proceed :
ihss from wandering and thus placing
mo me hands of the accused, whose
ann Is 10 set a revision of the Drcyfus
affair by a circuitoua route"
In regard to the limitation of ,be
scope OF the trial. the court decided to
aiiow the accused to call evidence in
support OF the other charges contained
IN MS letter including The accusation :
which he made against Colonel Patv
Du Clan, and Generals Mercier Bois-
defre, Billot and Pell!erx.
AFTER reading the names of the wit
hes5es summoned, NJ Dclesorgue read
a number OF letters Of excuse, includ-
lns one from the Minister of Justice
vi. Darian announcing that the Min
is'er or War, General Billot. had not
received the authority Of the Cabinet
TO testify. NJ Delegorgue, also read a
letter from ex-President Clsimir-pe-
rier, saying he could not testify cxcept
as 10 facts subsequent to his presi-
dency. Colonel Patty Du Clan was
fhen called and refused to testify.
NJ. Laborie urged the importance Of
his testimony, adding that unless the
court ordered the witness to testify
ne might be compelled to demand an
Counsel also said he wac, not Dre-
pared to oppose secret trial If n
was absolutely necessary But con-
tinued NJ. Laborie, the allegation that
the matter they were discussing was
connected with state secrets and the
national defense was a mere joke.
The ADVERTISEMENT thcrcuDon pro-
tested against the national defense be-
Ing called joke, TO which NJ. La
borie hotly replied that he would per-
nit no one, not even the Advocate
General, to cast suspicion upon his pa
triotism. (Cheers.)
Addressing the jury NJ. I.aboric said.
THE proof we wish to show you is so
striking that our opponents are max
ing e1orts to prevent its becoming
known. Nevertheless, IL 1t is neces-
sary l will declare it alone, without
witnesses. If fail Dreyfus will re-
main In the galleys, where he was
placed by law expressly made for
him" (Violent protests)
NJ. Itaborle insisted that the Judges
Of Dreyfus should give evidence, and
that Madame Boulancy. whom lola
had summoned, but who has declined
to appear on the ground OF i'll health,
should also testify. urging that she be
ordered TO appear if necessary. Coun-
sci added that Madame Boulancy. in
addition to the notorious Uhlan let
ter. possessed others from Major Es-
tcrhazy, outmgeously insulting the
French army, which had not been pub
lished.
NJ. Laborie further contcnded that
Major EsterhaZy was prosecuting
Madame Boulancy in order to prevent
her from surrcndering the letters.
Counsel for the Aurore supported NJ.
Lah0ries request for the appearance or
Madame Bouancy, and urging the
court to obtain veriflcatlon OF her
alleged Ill health.
Later on NJ. Laborie insisted that tho
depositions made before the examining
magistrate be read in court. This
was opposed by the Attorney-G General
on the ground that the examination
was not concluded.
M Laborie then vehementIy pro-
tested against the absence of the sub
peonaed witnesses and, referring to the
non-appearance of General Mercicr
said:
when he was Minister of War he
submitted to the judges Of Dreyfus.
behind the back of the prisoner and