The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-08
Two Friends of Dreyfus Who Are Ac-
cused of Writing and Printing
Libel on French officials.
CHIEF WITNESSES ABSENT
SUBPOENAES DEMANDED FOR MME
BOULANY AND OTHERS,
Who Are Said to Have Been Intimi-
dated by Army Officers Opening
observation-disclosures and Incidents.

PARIS, Feb. 7.-Emile Zola, the famous
novelist, who has gained worldwide no.
toriety as the head of the French school of
realism, was placed on trial to-day in the
Assize Court of the Seine. Last December
NJ. Zola wrote letter to L'Aurore in which
he charged high officials with perjury in
connection with the Dreyfus case. The
government, besides being severely criti-
cised, WAS defed to prosecute the author
Of the letter. After several tumultuous
scenes in the Chamber of Deputies, the
Ministry announced that in order to purge
the accused officials of the charges, the
government had decided to prosecute M.
Zola for libel.
While no wildly sensational incidents
marked the court proceedings to-day, there
was much excitement on the street outside
the building. Long before the hour set for
beginning the trial hundreds of excited peo-
pie had gathered about the courtroom,
seeking admittance, but large force of
police kept the crowd n check. The crowds
increased in number al he morning. The
arrival of Henri Rochefort was the signal
for shouts of 'Vive Rochefort!' and coun-
ter cries Of "Abas Rochefort" Turning in
the direction of the hostile cries NJ Roche
fort shouted: 1T would seem that with four
of you at francs apiece, the Dreyfus
syndicate will not be ruined!" NJ. Zola,
who arrived in a carriage shortly after
ward, was greeted with vehement shouts
Of "Conspuez Zola!' (Spit upon ZolaD An
individual who shouted 'Vive Zolar' was
promptly hustled and suppressed.
The Court of Assizes opened at l o'clock
this afternoon. M. Perreaux, manager Of
L'Aurore, was arraigned with M. Zola- The
OF ,fol1 1rvN oY,I
NJ. Perreaux was defended by NJ. Clemen-
ceau. The court was under the presidency
Of NJ. Delagorgue who announced that the
room would be cleared if there was any
demonstration. Although the court was
thronged, quiet was maintained owing to
the knowledge that a company of repub
lican guards had been placed at the dis
posal of the judge to preserve order. While
the jury was being selected NJ. Zola en-
tered the dock. lie was pale A few cries
of '.Vive Zola!' we're promptly suppressed
by the vigorous protests Of the majority of
the audience.
THE PROSECUTORS STATEMENT.
After the reading of the indictment the
advocate general explained that the charge
was strictly limited to the passage in NJ.
Zolas letter denouncing the Esterhazy
court-martial. Continuing, the advocate
general said it was imperative to prevent
the proceedings from wandering, thus
playing into the hands of the accused,
whose aim is to get revision of the Drey
fuS affair by a circuitouS route" The court
decided 20 allow the accused to call evidence
in support of the charges contained in his
letter, including the accusations which he
made against Colonel Patty de Clam and
Generals Mercier, Boisdeffre, Billot and
Pellieux. M. Delagorgue read a number of
letters of excuse, including one from the
minister of justice, NJ. Darlan, announcing
that the minister for war, General Billot,
had not received the authority of the Cabi-
net to testify. NJ Delagorgue also read a
letter from ex-President Cassimir-Perier,
saying he could not testify except as to
facts subsequent to his presidency.
Colonel Patty de Clam was then called
and refused to testify. M. Laborio urged
the Importance of his testimony, adding
that unless the court ordered the witness
to testify ne might be compelled to demand
an adjournment until the next session.
Counsel also said he was not prepared to
oppose a secret trial if it was absolutely
necessary But, continued NJ. Labore, the
allegation that the matter they were dis
cussing was connected with state secrets
The advocate general thereupon protested
against the national defense being called a
joke, to which M. Laborie hotly replied that
he would permit no one, not even the advo-
cate general, to cast suspicion upon his
patriotism. (Cheers)
Addressing the jury. M. Laborie said:
"The proof we wish to show you is SO
striking that our opponents are making
efforts to prevent its becoming known. New
ertheless, if it is necessary l will declare it
alone, without witness. If I fail Dreyfus
will remain in the galleys, where he was
placed by law expressly made for him.
(Violent protests.) M. Laborie insisted that
the judges of Dreyfus should give evidence
and that Madame Boulancy whom Zola
had summoned, but who has declined to
appear or the ground of i'll health should
also testify urging that she be ordered to
appear if necessary. Counsel added that
Madame Boulancy, in addition to the no
torious Uhlan letter, possessed others from
Major EsterhaZy, outrageously insulting the
French army, which had not been published
NJ Laborle further contended that Major
Esterhazy was prosecuting Madame Boul-
ancy in order to prevent her from surren-
dering the letters.
Counsel for the Aurore supported NJ La
DCTlS request LOT TIE appearance OF Nine.
Boulancy and urged the court to obtain
verification of her alleged i'll health.
ZOLA'S COUNSEL PROTESTS.
Later on NJ. Laborie insisted that the
dcpositons made before the examining
magistrate be read in court. This was oD-
posed by the attorney general, on the
ground that the examination was not con-
cluded. NJ Laborie then vehemently pro-
tested against the absence of the sub
poenaed witnesses, and referring to the
nonappearance of General Mercer, said:
when he was minister of war he submitted
to the judges of Dreyfus, behind the back
of he prisoner and his counsel. a secret
document which, however. he said, was I'M
important If this document as he de-
clared, was unimportant, then the incident
is ended, and there is no further need for
General Merciers testimony. but if, as al
legged. the secret document did not exist, let
General Mercier come and tell the court so,
and our side Will be we'll satisfied"
This attempt to 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
eourt-martial refusing to testify, NJ. lola