The herald., 1898-02-09

M. Scheurer-Kestner then sketched
the contents Of the letters In which Col.
Picquart wrote that fresh facts had been
discovered, which would be eagerly
seized upon by the Dreyfusians and
which would create a great scandal"
Gen. Gonz replied that DIT 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: IT went
to Gen. Billot minister for WARP and
told him what knew. offered to COM
municate Gen. Gonz's letters. but he re-
fused. Then 1t was agreed that the in
terview should not be divulged. Never
theless. the government newspapers
published an account of the interview.
Il had interviews with the premier (M.
Meline) and told him everything
knew"
M. Scheurer-K -Kestner further said that
he never mentioned the name of Ester
hazy, except to the government. But
some time later Matthew Dreyfus
(brotter of Alfred Dreyfus) came to
him and declared that he also had dis
covered that Esterhazy was the author
OF the Borderau, whereupon the witness
told Matthew Dreyfus to write to the
minister of war, which he did, denounc-
ing Esterhazy.
M. Zola here asked Scheurer- -Kestncr
to give the court details Of his interview
with the minister for war, and the wit
ness did so, recounting how he had
begged his old friend to take the initia-
tive in the matter, adding: II gave him
a fortnight to make up his mind, during
which time I was insulted as Prus-
sian."
"Yes," interjected M. Zola, "as they
now treat me as an Italian
There was much stir in court when 1t
was announced that M. Casimir Perier.
the former president Of the French re-
public, would be the next witness. When
he was called the presiding Judge said:
''You swear to speak without animus
and fear, to speak the truth and nothing
but the truth"
M. Casimir-Perier at this point inter-
rupted the Judge, saying:
| Pardon me; cannot swear to tell
the truth, because cannot do SO. 1t is
my duty 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 testify.
to take the OATH"
M Cnsimir-Perier then took the oath.
| Can 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 the
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-Pe saying.
| "Did M. Casmir-P -Perier know that Sc
cret file of papers existed at the war
ministry?'
"I was. not aware of file of papers
concerning Maj. Esterhazy." was the
reply.
"Did you," continued M. Laborie,
| ''know that secret document was
handed to the court martial?"
You cannot ask that question:" in
terrupted the presiding Judge. state
ment which caused renewed murmurs
in court.
| IT do not know any facts subsequent
to my presidency" said M. Casimir-
Perier. 'I can only speak as a private
citizen, which am willing to do"
| "You are setting noble example" re-
piled M. Laborie, (which other witnesses
have not deemed fit to follow, since it
has been necessary to bring them by
| force" (Applause.) "a' 79f7 80
M. Laborie here made formal appli-
cation, "in the interests of justice" that
his previous question be allowed to be
put. The judges, after debating on the
matter, refused to allow the question.
M. de Castro banker, was then ex-
amined. He declared he recognized the
identity Of the handwriting of Major
Esterhazy and that of the writer OF the
Borderau. The witness revealed this
discovery to Matthew Dreyfus, and, he
added, he had since received number of
threatening letters. The court then
arose amid great excitement and shouts
for and against M. Zola.
On leaving the witness box M. Casimir-
Perier received great ovation.
There was a big crowd outside the
lower court and after the people were
leaving the building man cried: ''Vive
Zola! Down with France!" He was i'm
mediately arrested.
A tremendous rush followed. Zola, on
emerging from the jury door, was recog-
nized and obliged to return and seek
refuge in the robing room. the door of
which were then locked. The crowd re-
manned outside, yelling: "Conspuez 70
la!" ETC., led by number of young bar
risters in their robes, who roughly
handled M. zola's sympathizers, and un-
til a detachment Of Republican guards
cleared the court yard, there were an i'm
mense clamor and souts of Down with
zola!" Long live zola!" Death to 70
la" the last cry dominating the others.
The novelist had difficulty in keeping his
feet amid the surging crowd.
In the meantime the police, misunder-
standing their orders, closed the gates,
and M. Zola thus found himself inside
the court yard, surrounded by bowling,
threatening mob. The police were pow
erless, and for a moment it looked as
though he was to be lynched, with the
friends who formed his bodyguard
His friends rallied around him, and
eventually the gates were reopened, and
the police, having been reinforced, es-
corted M. Zola to the street. while the
majority of the mob was confined in the
court yard, shrieking threats against
the novelist, who eventually entered a
cab and drove quickly away. The wo-
men in the crowd were especially vio-