The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-23
DEFENSE OF lola.
His Counsel Makes an Able Effort in
His Behalf.
his GREAT CLlAAxts APPLAuDED.
Protests That Dreyfus IL Innocent
and Has been the Victim OF
Cruel Conspiracy.

/ crowded today, the fourteenth OF the tria
Of NM. ZoIa and Pierre, for the allega
tions which the former brought in IN
Aurore, published by the latter, agains
the conduct OF The Esterhazy courlmar
| tial.
| Nj. l.aBorie, counsel for NJ. Zola resumed
| his argument Tor tho defense. He enron
| ologiealIy reviewed the case from the ar.
rest OF Alfred Dreyfus. pointing out tnal
as Major Patty du Clam interdicted Mine
Dreyfus from speaking. the announcement
Of his arrest, published by the Liore Parole
and Eclaire alone, must have been COM
municated by the ministry of war
Continuing VI. LaBorie charged the
Libre Parolc and Eclaire with lying in re
gard to the guilt OF Dreyfus ana referred
to Major Patty du Clans attempt to in
timidate Dreyfus ana to Major korznettt 5
belief in the latter's Innocence, He also
dealt with the courtmartial's decision 10
conduct the trial in sec-et in spite OF the
protests. He said this was the reason OF
the utlceasing protests in behalf OF Dreyfns
which troubled all high minded per-
sons. He added that the strength Of
those OF our adyersarles who are acting IN
good faith lies in thsir belief that the
whole affair was conducted with justice
and legally. but facts do not bear out this
belief" (Murmurs.)
Counsel for defense then declared thas
eight months prior to the arrest of Drey-
fus the minister OF war possessed photos
of the paper containing the expression
that scoundrel Of De-" and showing
that Il French officer had relations With
two foreign military attaches. This docu
ment, Nj LaBorie pointed out, did NOT
fer to Dreyfus, but all the came tue cul-
pabiity OF Dreyfus was founded upon ii,
and it was the document which the Yeiled
lady handed to Major Esterhazy, the lat
ter only surreuderng it to the minister Of
war on securing receipt.
Referring to General Mercer LaBorie
said Maybe he is a brave soldier. but
he is not familiar with great affairs. In
the absence OF proof he substituted his
own arbitrary impression, and thus had
an innocent man condemned"
Counsel asked why the document re-
ferring to that scounderl D." had not
been previously spoken of. as the defense
could have introduced foreigners who
disputed its genuineness The statement
caused connection in court. and the
presiding judge Interrupted counsel TO say.
I'VE would never have heard them.
IF we did not summon them" continued
NJ. LaBorie, 'it was because we wished to
discuss between Frenchmen alone on at
fairs solely concerning Ffenchmen.'
However opinions may differ In this
affairs NJ LaBorie explained, in the hour
OF danger we all show solid front to the
frontier" (Applause.)
Then denouncing the action of the pros
ecution in having Dreyius write from die
tation counsel said Such trick proved
the emptiness of the prosecution, Tor had
they procured proof OF his guilt they
would not have had recourse to such theat-
rical effects at the opening of the court
martial and the judges. having only the
oordereatlx, would have acquitted Drey
fus had not, contrary TO all laws. their
Judgment been led astray by the secret
of the document"
Counsel after reading an account of the
curt martial. added: 81 have ali the pa
,ers concerning the affair in my hands
nd solemnly affirm that there is nothing
n them against Dreyfus. pledge YOU my
onor gentlemen. there is no proof against
)reyfus.''
The statement made commotion and
here were marks OF appreciation among the |
lublic.
short adjournment of court followed, |
urlng which a number OF persons shook |
ands with NJ. LaBorie, whose moderate |
ut firm utterances made an impression |
pom the audience.
Calling Premier NJ Mellne's declarations |
a reply TO ex-Minlster Caignac that the |
resentation of thls report would open the
WI iNE d Eth'sioAA Va lfls lIlhls vi. LOla : !
ounsel said, The report was not pro-
uced because the alleged cp--sion was
either possible nor probable"
NJ. LaBorie then gave a moving descrip-
on OF the degradation OF Dreyfus He re-
illed that amidst the shouts OF death"
ON the pitlless crowd Dreyfus had not
eased TO cry, "vive la France and swear
pom the heads OF his wife and children
nat he was completely Innocent. "Drey-
49, N. LaBorie asserted, only appealed
'r one act OF mercy--rhat the ministry
lould continue the inquiry" (Commo-
on.)
After this NJ. LaBorie read a series OF
tiers written by Dreyfus TO counsel and
his family i'll which the prisoner always
that the real culprit should be
'ught, and addcd
III NJ. MeIlne did not produce tho report
Captain Lebrun- Renaulit, 1t was because
e vehement protestation of the Innocence
Dreyfas troubled his conscience and for
e moment his sense OF Justice and judicial
ctitude had prevailed over his conception
political consideration.
IN order to obtain avowals." NJ. La .
orie proceeded. the prosecution went m
g point OF fraud. Did not Major paty :
Clam say to Dreyfus, The minister viii ,,
ceiye you II you go TO con.ess?'" There
on counsel dweit upon Major Patty
Clams interrogation OF Dreyfus In
iich Dreyfns agreed there was GONE re-
mblancc in the details OF his writing
q that OF the bordereau. but taken alto-
ther, they were aulte distinct
Counsel added: "A monument -, false. /
cd and hypocrisy has been built, faIse. !
DDS for the abe,tors. hypocrisy far tho I
ronger and guiltier parties. Lei these !
n know this. Let than list to nv words '
q remember that the name which occi. r
= In history the moe Inundated place y
that of Pontius Plate" vehement an G
inse.) "F q
After. the court adjourned NJ. l,aporie t
,eiyed veritable ovation. cries ~ WV I
Porie" mingling with counter cries ~
I've L'Armee and "a has les tufts.
london, February 2s--The Paris corr.
'ndent OF the Daily News saws. Tna
eatea, efforts are being made outside ~
irt room to influence The iurvmsn H., 9
rea,s or establishments YESTERDAY GREE,
y each jnryman received an anoaymons
Ter promising him The sum o. lGS a
'ppol If NJ. zcla should be acquired
e letter. OF course. emanated from ~, j
ne source rs the foEpeiies BIZ which 4, y
5 sougnf TO prove the existence N
cyrus syndicate, NJ Zola throughout AZ !,
was cool and collected can vo,,eh Z