The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-11

mont OF whose Contents He Was Ignorant.
spscfai Cable Dispatches to THE Sun.
PARIS, Feb. 1o.-The hopeless struggle TO drag
the truth to light despite the resistance Of all
tho authorities of justice went on to-day in tho
Assize Court, but NJ. lola and his associates had
little success beyond furnishing o fresh demon.
s~tration of the injustice Of the present regime Of
the French republic. which is the real defendant
in tho present trial.
The proceedings were not so exciting to-day
as on previous days. 1t is the policy of Maitre
Labori. who is conducting M. Zola's case with
skill. to bring out the truth by in
ference and other indirect means from unwilling
witnesses or those whom the court forbids to
speak freely. He is succeeding remarkably we'll
30 far rs effect is produced on unprecedented
minds.
For instance. at yesterdays examination. the
testimony given by Gen. Gonse, who, while he
answered some questions, pointedly refused to
say II he had communicated to Dreyfns's Judges
the secret document on which Dreyfus was con-
demned, has convinced most persons that this
Infamous thing was done. The amazing fact re-
mains that, despite their belief that this was an
illegal proceeding, q majority of Frenchmen
continue to regard Dreyfus as guilty. and deny
his right to q revision Of the judgment condemn
ing him.
There was an eloquent plea for Justice, which
the court was unable TO suppress, near the close
OF the session. by ex-Minister Thevenet. When
he was forbidden to answer a question regard.
ing the secret Dreyfus document he cried:
"Whyf Why not disclose it, IL there q
single man who hears me. lawyer, juror, or
magistrate, who can admit for an instant that q
man can be condemned upon a piece of evidence
he knows not Off I protest in the name of
liberty, of free defence, in tho lame Of human
dignity. What could BIO the danger Of disclosure
or fresh agitation This troubled country will
not rest until this thing is done, q thing SO
simple. which cannot touch the respect due the
army or the interests Of national defence"
But this and all other appeals will avail moth
ing against the inexorable restrictions of the
magistrates, which are applied moro strictly
every hour as the trial advances.
A crowd this morning awaited NJ. Zola when
he left his residence to go to the Palace of JUS
tice. They shouted "Conspuez lola" when
they saw him, but the police who were
present prevented any mischief being done.
Two detectives on bicycles preceded M. Zola's
carriage in order to reconnoitre the route and
guard against possible demonstrations. The
arrangements in the court room wero improved
and there was less rowdyism there.
There was a sufficient force of police and sol.
diers present to-day to prevent n repetition of
yesterdays violence. At the close of the ses-
sion the crowd was greater than ever. When
M. Zola drove away the crowd marched across
the Seine, increasing in numbers at every
moment. Att o'clock this evening a mob of
5000 persons invaded the grand boulevards
and went to the office Of the Aurore, the only
newspaper which champions NJ. lola, where
they amused themselves by shouting the usual
cries of Spit on Zola!' Down with the
traitors!" and Death to the Jews!'
N. Labor told The SuN's correspondent TO.
night that he does not expect to finish before
Tuesday.
The fourth day of the trial opened to-day with
the usual crowds within and without the court
room. Nine. Dreyfus was not present. owing to
illness resulting from the strain upon her ner-
vous system. NJ. Trarieux. ex-Minister of Justice.
resumed his testimony. He declared that Col.
Picquart was removed from Paris because of
his certainty that Dreyfus was innocent. The
witness then began to tell of his interview with
NJ. Demange regarding Dreyfus. but the Presi-
dent prevented him from continuing.
M. Labori protested theoretically against the
action of the court. He said that the Judge
yesterday allowed Gen. Mercier to refer to
Dreyfus and to declare that he had been justly
convicted.
The President replied: Gen. Mercier spoke
before l had time to stop him."
NJ. Labori retorted. but nevertheless the Pres
ident prevented the defence from replying.
NJ. lola asked Trarieux IL legal methods had
been followed in view of the revision of tho
Dreyfus trial, and the witness replied that they
had.
NJ. Forzinetti. who was governor of the prison
in Paris when Dreyfus was there in custody.
was called To the stand. NJ. Labori asked him
whether Dreyfus had made a confession, but
NJ. Labori angriiy protested and declared that
ABANDON 10 the the S oaa@inati Faase Of NJ Me- F Seainss m and
also the examination Of Capt. Lebrun.Renaud
vH% Sif have BEEN Ssnsr Put TO As xsf the question s1@stH5 q was p1os
hibited. however, the jury could form their own
Major Patty de Clam was the next witness. He
parade. He had 4 hard; unfsthomable express.
the jury. He declared before he was sworn that
he would not speak of the Dreyfus affair.
nobody dreamed that the unseemly Instructions
against Mile. Comminges, against which Major
de- Clam had protested were true but he could
M: Batut. a member Of the Chamber Of
when he served as o soldier under Major de
Clam the latter was sentenced to a fortniRht's
i%pr Misb ssat f Es e1pssSs Mas In so a military w,, ESSAY ~.
telligence instead Of cannon;
The two were afterward taken before the PresI-
dent: Each denied the words Of the other;
He refused to say anything about the secret
CiilCuA u tiiNh hiicu ~ huHouuCbu
that he had come to court with the determine.
ton to give a complete account Of his mission to
examine into the Esterhazy affair.
The Court pricked up its ears and there was a
murmur of expectation. The witness declared
that Matthew Dreyfus and NJ. Scheurer-K estner
had admitted no proof in support of their denun-
citation of Count Esterhazy. M. LeblOis only sub
mitted letters and fac.similes of Esterhazy's
writings. NJ. Schuerer-K esther. however. stated
that a document proving Esterhazy's guilt
existed in the War Office. Col. Picquart had
told nj. Leblois SO.
That. said tho witness, was a grave military
witness had not fonnd tho least proof OF
Esterhazy's guilt, Then came the start
ling declaration that Dreyfus was the only
traitor in the army. Continuing, the witness
said that very few had seen the original memo |
randuIn. This pronouncement excited q great
tumult in the court. and there were cries OF APP
prevail and disproval.
said that Col. Pioquart. without authority,
had intercepted. during. eight months, all
nothing proving his guilt The witness
severely criticised the conduct Of Col. Picquart.
Mnranyar addAd Gen pallianN Col picnuarf