The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-09

and told him what | knew. offered W
communicate General Gonzs letters, put
he refused. Then II was agreed tfat the
Interview should not be divulged Never I.
theless, government newspapers puoiisneu
an account OF the interview ~,
II had interviews With the premier IN !.
Meline) and told him everything | knew,
NJ. Scheurer- Kestner further said that
he had never mentioned the name oil Es.
terhazy except to the government, ~,
some time later Matthew Dreyfus CORONER
of Alfred Dreyfus) came 10 him and ie-
clared THAT he had also discovered that rs-
tefhazy was the author of the bcrdereau'
whereupon the witness told Matthew Dres
fus to write to the minister for war, whieh
he did, denouncing Esterhazy
NJ lola here asked Scheurer- kestner 10
give the court details OF his interview with
the minister for war and the witness diu
So recounting how he had begged his old
friend to take the initiative in the matter,
adding:
II gave him a fortnight to make up ms
mind during which time | was insulted as
a Prussian."
Yes" interjected NJ lola, "as they now
treat me as an Italian.
There was much stir in court when u
was announced that NJ. Casinir- Perrler,
the former president OF the French re-
public, would be the next witness. Wneh
he was called the presiding judge sa'1'
you swear to speak without fear aho
10 speak the truth nothing but the truth -
NJ Caslmir- perricr mt this point inter-
rupted the judge, saying:
pardon me; | can not swear to tell the
truth, because ! can not do so. IL IL my
duty not to tell 1t
This statement caused q commotlon
among the audience. The presiding judge
resumed.
ann. -. .o.,,...i- 49,, .,,ap hafora sneak
ing or rfusiug TO testify TO take the oath.
NJ Casimlr- Perrier then took the oath
"Can you say asked NJ, LaBorie, III
when you were president you knew before
his arrest that the staff officer was sus-
pected of treason and that charges had
been made against him.
The presiding judge interviewed, saying:
you can not ask that question"
This intervention aroused tumult In the
court.
NJ. lola then put another question to NJ.
Casimir Perrier saying:
did NJ Casmir- Perrier know that Sc
cret file of papers existed at the war min
istry?"
81 was not aware of n file of papers con-
corning Major Esterhazy," was the reply.
Ibid you" continued NJ Lai3orie know
that u secret document was handed 10 inc
court martial?"
You can not ask that question" inter
rupted the presiding fudge.
Il do not know any facts subsequent 10
my presidency" said NJ. Casjmir-Perrier;
1 can only speak as 1t private citizen.
You are setting a noble example" re-
piled NJ LaBorie. which other witnesses
which am willing to do
have not deemed fit to follow. since 1t has
become necessary TO bring them here by
force" tApplause)
NJ. LaBorie here made formal applica
ton in the interest of justice" that his
previous question he allowed 10 he nut
The judge, after celebrating on the mat
ter, refused to allow lhe question.
The court then arose amid great excite
mcnt and shouts FOR and against NJ. lola.
ON leaving the witness box NJ. Casimir
Perrier received "a great ovation
There WAS big crowd outside the court
and as the people were leaving the building
II man cried give Zola down with
France!' He was Immediately arrested
tremendous rush followed Nj. lola, on
emerging from the jury door was recog
nized and Obliged to return and seek refuge
in the rohing rooms. the doors of which
We're then locked. The crowd remained
outside yelling "Conspuez lola etc. led
by number of young barristers. in their
robes, who roughly handled NJ Zolas
symnathizers until detachment of repub-
Lean guards cleared the approaches To the
court NJ. Zola then emerged, pale ind
trembling, and the moment he appeared
there was an immense clamor and shouts
of Down with zola!" Long live zola."
and death to lola" the last cry donNnat-
ing the others. The novelist had difficulty
in keeping his feet amid the surging crowd.
In the meanwhile the police, mlsunder-
standing their ordcri, closed the saies, and
NJ Zola thus found himself in the court
ward surrounded by bowling, threatening
mob The police We're powerless, and ior
u moment IL looked as though he would be
lynched, with the friends who formed his
body guard.
His friends rallied around rim, and
eventually the gates we reGpencd ard The
police having been reinforced, escorted VI.
lola 20 the building. while the crowd was
confined in the court yard, shreltlng
threats against the novelist, who eventual
y entered cab and drove quickly away.
The women in the crowd were especially
violent, man who cheercd for lola WAS
set upon by a mob, who hustled him into
st. Michael's bridge, where they tried 20
throw him into the river Seine but The
police We're reinforced in the nick Of time
and saved him,
The crowd remaining in the court yard
greeted NJ RocheforL's exit with great
cheers OF give l'Armee'' and "Vve In
France" The crowd was eventually dis
persed.