The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-08
THRONG AT. THE Z0LA TRIAL.
SHOUTS OF 'T SPIT ON YOU" GREET
THE ACCUSED.

Quiet Induced in the Court Room
by the knowledge That "a Company
of the Republicans Guards Was
Near at Hand Ready for Service.
Paris, Feb 1.-THE trial of Emile zola
and NJ. Perreaux, manager of the Aurore,
| who ere being prosecuted by the govern
ment as the result of letter which the
novelist caused to be published in the Au-
rore in December last, strongly rejecting
upon the high officials connected with the
Dreyfus case, opened to-day in the Assizes
! Court of the Seine NJ .Zola was represented
| by NJ Lahore and NJ. Perreux was defend
ed by NJ. Clemenceau.
The most keen public interest was man
ifested in the case Hundreds OF people
surrounded the court, anxious TO gain ad-
mittanee. The police measures taken to
insure order were most rigorous. The
crowds increased in number all the
morning.
The arrival of Henri Rochefort was the
signal for shouts of "Vive Rochefort,"
and counter cries of "Abas Rochefort."
Turning in the direction of the hostile
cries, NJ. Rochefort shouted: 1T would
seem that with four of you at five francs
a piece, the Dreyfus syndicate will not
| be ruined.
NJ. Zola, who arrived in a carriage
shortly afterwards, was greeted with We
hement shouts of "Conspuez Zola." CT
spit on you, Zola.'D
A man who shouted "Nlve Zola" was
promptly squelched
The proceeding commenced at / o'clock
under the presidency of M. de Legorgue,
| who announced that the court would be
| cleared If there was any demonstration.
| Although the court was thronged quiet
was maintained owing to the knowledge
that company of Republican Guards
had been placed at the disposal of the
| judge to preserve order.
While the jury was being selected NJ.
Zola entered the dock. He was pale. A
few cries of "Vive Zola" were again
promptly suppressed by the vigorous pro-
tests of the majority of the audience.
After reading the indictment the Ad-
vocate General explained that the charge
was strictly limited TO the passage in NJ.
Zola's letter denouncing the Esterhazy
court martial.
Continuing, the advocate general said IL
was imperative to prevent the proceedings
from wandering and thus playing into
the hands of the accused, whose aim is to
get a revision Of the DreVfus affair by a
circuitouS route"
The court decided to allow the accused
to call evidence in support of the other
charges con aimed in his letter. including
the accusat tions which he made against
Col. Patty du Clam and Gems. Mercier.
Bots de 'Effre, Billet and Pelieux.
NJ. de LIE Gorgue read a number of let
ters of excuse, including one from the
minister of justice, M. Darlan, announcing
that the minister for war, Gen. Billet had
not received the authority of the cabinet
to testify NJ. de lie Gorgue also read let
ter from President CasimirPerier, saying
he could not testify except as facts sepa-
rate to his Presidency.
Col Patty du Clam was then called, and
refused to testify.
NJ. Lahore urged the Importance of his
testimony, adding that unless the court
ordered the witness to testify he might he
compelled to demand an adjournment until
next session. Counsel also said he was not
prepared to oppose a secret trial, if it was
absolutely necessary. But. continued M
Lahore, the allegation that the matter
they were discussing was connected with
state secrets and the national defense was
a mere joke.
The advocate general thereupon pro-
tested against the national defense being
called a joke to which NJ. Lahore hotly
replied that he would permit no one, not
even the advocate general, to castmsuspi-
/
Addressing the jury, M Lahore said:
'"The proof we wish to show you is so
| striking that our opponents are making
| efforts to prevent its becoming known.
| Nevertheless if it is necessary | will de-
| clare it alone without witnesses. If fail,
| Dreyfus will remain in the galleys, where
he was placed by a law expressly made
for him." Violent protests).
NJ Lahore insisted that the judges of
| Dreyfus should give evidence, and that
Nine Boulancy, whom Zolo had sum-
| moned, but who has declined TO appear on
| the ground of i'll health, should also tes-
| tify urging that she be ordered to ap-
pear if necessary. Counsel added that
| Nine Boulancy, in addition to the noto-
| rious Uhlan letter, possessed others from
Mai. Esterhazy, outrageously insulting
the French army, which had not been
published
NJ. Lahore further contended that Mai
Esterhazy was prosecuting Nine. Boulancy
in order to prevent her from surrendering
| the letters.
Counsel for the Aurore supported NJ
| Laborc's request for the appearance of
Nine Boulancy, urging the court to OBJ
| tain verihcation of her alleged i'll health.
Later on, NJ Lahore insisted that the
| deposition made before the examining
| magistrate be held in court. This was
opposed by the attorney general on the
ground that the examination was not con-
| cluded.
NJ. Lahore then vehemently protested
| against the absence of the subpoenaed wit
nesses and, referring to the non-appear-
| ance Of Gen. Mercier, said; when he was
minister of war he submitted to the judges
| of Dreyfus, behind the back of the pris-
| oner and his counsel, a secret document,
which, however, he said was unimportant.
| If this document. as he declared, was un-
important, then the incident is ended and
there is no further need for Gen. Mercier' S
testimony, but IL as alleged, the secret
document did not exist, let Gen. Mercier
come and tell the court 50 and our side
will he satisfied
This attempt 10 drag the former minister
of war into the witness stand caused much
| commotion In court, which was increased
when, on several members of the Dreyfus
court-martial refusing 10 testify, M. Zoa
| rose up in the dock and Indignantly cried /:
1--WE must know If these persons are act
ing under the orders of the minister of
war, or of their own voition.'
Gen. Bois d Efre was then called, and
| claimed exemption on the ground of pro-
fessional secrecy, whereupon NJ. Lahore
| shouted: zone would really think all
these officers imagined they form sepa-
rate caste above all rights, and that they
| a.