Evening star., 1898-02-08
DEMANDS FAIR PLAY
NJ. Zola Creates a Sensation at His
Trial This Morning.
EXCITING SCENES In TEE COURT
Madame Dreyfus Placed on Wit
ness Stand by the Defense.
JUDGE OBJECTS TO QUESTIONS

PARIS. February s.-When the trial of
NJ Emile Zola and NJ. Perrieux. man nager of
the AurOre. growing out of the formers de-
nunciation of the Esterhazy court-martial
in a letter to the newspaper mentioned,
was resumed in the assizes court of the
Seine today scenes similar to those of yes
terday morning were witnessed. NJ. Henri
Rochefort was cheered when he arrived.
When the court opened there was ter
rife struggle to enter, people fighting their
way with blows and kicks toward the court
room.
The entrance of NJ. Zola was the signal
for an outburst, during which the few cries
of "Eive ZoIa" were drowned by shouts of
"a bas Zola-' The crowd pushed and
hustled and ladies climbed upon the benches
recklessly in order to avoid the crushing
Crowds Raise TumuIt.
When the judge entered the scene was so
tumultuous that he directed the municipal
guards TO force the crowds from the doors
and to remove some of the people from the
overcrowded halls.
The presiding judge. NJ. Deiegorguo, read
letter from Major Count Esterhazy, in
which the latter refused to testify There
upon NJ Laborie. counsel for NJ. Zola in
sisted that Esterhazy should be brought to
court by force.
The court admitted the claims of the de-
fense and decided that General Mercfer- the
former minister of war. and Major Patty du
Clam should be resummoned.
The court also decided that the other wit
nesses alleged to be i'll should be visited
by a doctor. and that If found able to an
pear they should be resummoned.
Madame Dreyfus on the Stand.
Madame Dreyfus was the first witness to-
day. She was dressed in black. and was
much distressed.
NJ. Laborie who examined her, asked
what she thought of NJ. Zola's good faith.
and whether she could say under what cir
cumstances she was informed by Major
Paty du Clam. in 1894 of her husbands ar
rest? The judge declined to put the last
question
NJ lola here rose and cried: Il desire the
SAM saihs treatment as the assassin the
thleI- Ihey have always the right to de-
II nj themselves, but 1 am deprived of
ms L am Knocked and insulted in the
streets and the obscene press drags me
In the mud. You see, gentlemen of the
Jury' the position l am in. 1 wish to have
my witnesses heard, but / am prevented"
But DO you not know the law?" the
Judge asked Zola
NO / dent know, and / do not want TO
know was Zola's reply.
The scene caused great excitement amone
the spectators. and NJ. Laborie interviewed
anu demanded that the questions be put to
the witness.
The judge answered: 81 will enter YOUR
protest If you desire, but 1 cannot nut
questions which foreign to the indict-
ment. in order to arrive at a revision of the.
DreSIus case, which has already been de-
termine6.'
Judge Not Concerned.
Thereupon VI. Laborie exclaimed: In the
presence of the obstruction placed in our
way-Ccries Of "Nor "Yesr' and Quite
rsht) L have the honor TO ask what
means we should employ?''
That does not concern me-" answered
the judge. whereat there was laughter in
the court room.
NJ. Laborie tfen proposed TO submit a list
Of questions, leaving the court to indicate
which of them might be put, and the ses-
sion was suspended in order to allow the
questions to be drawn UP.
OurlnS the interval the noise in the court
was deafening- Every one discussed the
case at the top of his or her voice with
such intensity of excitement that the faces
OF the disputants Were distorted.
In the meanwhile Nine Dreyfus retired
TO the witnesses room, where she was seized
with a violent fit of Mysteries
On the resumption of the session of the
court, VI. Laborie presented a statement
claiming the right to ask Nine. Dreyfus
certain questions in the interests of justice
The advocate general. NJ. Van Cassel
argued that the court could not readjudi-
cate facts already legally decided, and
turning 10 NJ. Zola he exclaimed:
You say yoa do not know the law and
DO not want TO know it. Well, we do know
the law and will have ii respected with
the aid Of jury. in which we have the
most complete confidence"
Yhis apostrophe, delivered in the most
vehement manner. evoked marks of ap-
proval
NJ Laborie responded with great warmth.
protesting against the obstruction Of which
lis client was the victim, and finally NJ
Zola said he would submit 10 the law and
to Justice.
After hearing Mime. lie Blos. Scneurer-
kestner and Casimir-Perier, the rial was
adjourned until tomorrow.