The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-09
MOB ATTACKS lola.
And Attempts to Throw One of His
Partisans Into the Seine.

Paris, Feb. 9.-When the trial of M.
Emile lola and NJ. Perrieux, manager
of the Aurore, growing out of the for
mer's denunciation of the EsterhaZy
court martial in a letter to the news
paper mentioned, was resumed in the
assize court of the Seine, scenes similar
to those of the previous day were wit
messed.
ness called in the lola trial. She was
dressed in black and was much dis
tressed.
NJ. Laborie asked her whether she
could saw under what circumstances
she was informed by Major Patty du
Clam in 1894 of her husbands arrest.
The judge declined to put the ques-
NJ. Zola. here arose and cried: Il de-
sire the same treatment as the assassin
or the thief. They have always the
right to defend themselves, but am
deprived of this. I am Knocked and IN
suited in the streets and the obscene
press drags me in the mud. You see,
gentlemen of the jury, the position am
in. I wish to have my witnesses nearo'
but I am prevented
but do you not know the law?" the
judge asked lola
mo, I don't know and I do not want
to know was ZOla's reply.
The scene caused great excitement
among the spectators
M. La Borie demanded that the ques-
The judge answered: Il viii enter
your protest if you desire, but I cannot
put questions which are foreign to the
Indictment, in order to arrive at re-
vision of the Dreyfus case, which has
already been determined" ThereupOn
NJ La Borie exclaimed: In the pres
ence of obstruction placed in our way
cries of no, no. yes, and quite right
I have the honor to ask what means
we should emplOy?''
'''That does not concern me-" answer
ed the judge, Whereat there was laugh
ter.
The court then decided against the
defense, saying that no question, not
contained in the indictment would be
allowed.
Finally NJ. Scheurer-K estner, who
was next examined said he learned last
July that Col. Picquart had discovered
that the bordereau had not been writ
ten by Dreyfus, and he submitted Ma
jor Esterhazy's handwriting to NJ.
Belerton who agreed that it was in the
same hand as the bordereau. Witness
suggested to Gen. GonZ, that a fresh
expert examination be made, but the
general dissuaded him from SO doing.
At this stage of the proceedings, M.
Scheurer-K estner was about to give the
gist of &he cores pOndence between Gen.
Gonz and Col Picquart, showing that
Gen. GOnz favored opening the DreyfuS
case, but the presiding judge ruled that
the evidence was inadmissable.
NJ La Borie then interviewed, saying:
81 ask that these letters be read in
court M. lola was aware of the exist
ence of these letters It was time that
light was thrown into the case"
The Judge, however, reiterated that
the letters were 1nadmiSSa BILE, as pre-
vious notice had not been given.
Mr. Scheurer-K estner then sketched
the contents of the letters in which Col.
Picquart wrote that fresh facts had
been discovered which would be ''eag-
erly seized upon by the Dreyfusians,
who would create a great scandal
Gen. Gonz replied that it was too
late to stop the matter now"
Col Picquart, in another letter. ac-
cording to the witness urged that the
whole affair be exposed, or there would
be scandal.
Continuing, the witness said: st went
to Gen Billot minister for war; and
told him what I knew. I offered to
communicate Gen. Gonz's letters, but
he refused. Then it was agreed that
the interview should not be divulged.
Nevertheless, the government newspa-
pers published an account of the inter
view.
I had interviews with the premier
IN. Meline) and told him everything
knew"
NJ. lola here asked Scheurer-Kestn
to give the court details of his inter
view with the minister of war and the
witness did so recounting how he had
begged his old friend to take the mi
tiatfve in the matter. adding: Il gave
him a fortnight to make up his mind,
during which time was insulted as
Prussian.'