The San Francisco call., 1898-02-09

submit to the law and to justice, add ing: T do not revolt against the law, as my words have implied. what l want, gentlemen, is that you end your | hypocritical schools"
 | This remark was greeted With Shouts | of "Bravoi brayo!" and murmurS Of dissent. The court then decided against the defense, saying that no question not contained in the indictment Woulo be allowed.
 M. Scheurer- K esther, who was next examined, said he learned last July that Colonel Picquart had discovered that the borderau had not been written by Dreyfus, and he submitted Major Esterhazy's handwriting to M. Bertll- lon, who agreed that it was m the same hand as the borderau. witness suggested to General Gong that fresh expert examination be maue, put the general dissuaded him from so oolng.
 At this stage of the proceedings, M. Scheurer- -Kestner was about 10 give the gist of the correspondence between General Gonz and Colonel Plcquart, showing that General GonZ IaVoreo re- opening the Dreyfus case, put the pre- siding Judge ruled that the evidence was lnadmissible.
 M. Laborie then intervened, saying: T ask that these letters be read in court M. Zola was aware of the ex- iStence of these letters. It IS time Hght is thrown into the case
 The Judge, however, reiterated that the letters were inadmisslble as pre- vious notice had not been gwen. Thls caused M. Laborie to remark: Ihere is still time to communicate them 10 you and to the jury"
 You know that is impossible" re- piled the Judge, 'as the law formally forbids it."
 M. Scheurer- further said that he never mentioned the name or Esterhazy, except to the Government. But some time later, Matnleu DreyIus (brother of Alfred DreyfuS) came to him and declared that he also had dis covered that EsterhaZy was the au- thor of the bordereau, whereupon the witness told Mathieu Dreyfus to write to the Minister of War, Which ne old, denouncing Esterhazy.
 M. Zola here asked Scheurer- to give the court the details of his ln- terview with the Minister of War. and the witness did so. recounting how he had begged his old friend to take the initiative in the matter. adding: Il gave him a fortnight to make up his mind during which time l was ln- suited as a Prussian."
 Yes" interjected M Zola, "as they now treat me as an Italian.
 There was much stir in court when 1t was announced that M Caslmir- Perier, the former President of the French Republic, would be the next witness.
 When he was called the presiding judge saids You swear to speak with out animus and fear, to speak the truth and nothing but the truth
 M. Casimir-Perier at this point in- terrupted the Judge, saying: Pardon me. I cannot swear to tell the truth, T 11 f e n not to tell it."
 This statement caused a commotion among the audience. The presiding Judge resumed: "The law compels you, before speaking or refusing to tes- tify, to take the oath
 M. Casimir- -Perier then took the oath.
 Gan you say" asked M. Laborie, If when you were President you knew be- fore his arrest that staff officer was suspected of treason, and that charges had been made against him."
 The presiding Judge intervened, say ing, You cannot ask that"
 This intervention aroused murmurs in court.
 Counsel for M Zola then put another question to M Casimir-Perier, saying, Did M. Casimir- -Perier know that secret file of papers existed at the War Ministry"
 T was not aware of file of papers concerning Major Esterhazy" was the reply.
 "Did you," continued M Laborie, know that a secret document was handed to the court martial?"
 You cannot ask that question" in- terrupted the Presiding Judge, a state ment which caused renewed murmurs in court.
 T do not know any facts subsequent to my Presidency said M. Casimir- Perier. 1T can only speak as a pri- vate citizen" which I am willing to do."
 You are setting a noble example" replied M. Laborie, which other wit nesses have not deemed nt to follow, since it has been necessary to bring them here by force" (Applause.)
 Tfe court then rose amid great ex- citement and shouts for and against Zola.
 On leaving the witness-bo M. Casi- mir-Perier received great ovation. There was big crowd outside the low CT court and after the people were leav- ing the building man cried: ''Vive Zola. Down with France!" He was immediately arrested.
 A tremendous rush followed. M Zola, on emerging from the jury door, was recognized and obliged to return and seek refuge in the robing rooms, the doors of which were then locked. | The crowd remained outside, yelling: "Conspuez Zola," etc., led by a number of young barristers in their robes, who roughly handled M. Zolas sympathiz- CTS. Until a detachment of republican guards cleared the courtyard there was an immense clamor and shouts of Down with Zola!" Long live Zola!" and Death to Zola" the last cry dominat- | ing the others. The novelist had diff culty in keeping his feet amid the surg ing crowd.
 In the meantime the police, misun- derstanding their orders, closed the gates and M. Zola thus found himself | inside the courtyard, surrounded by a | howling. threatening mob. The police | were powerless. and, for a moment, it | looked as though he would be lynched with the friends who formed his body guard. His friends rallied around him. and eventually the gates were reopened and the police, having been reinforced, escorted M. Zola to the street, while the | majority of the mob was confined in the courtyard, shrieking threats against the novelist. who eventually entered cab and drove quickly away The women in the crowd were especial violent A rx,1A oh %1,.