The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-06


 the avenue through the tombs to the cross roads. where a small platform had been erected for the funeral orators. This platform faced the catafaloue upon which the coffin was deposited. Here it rest ed beneath the over hanging boughs of lime trees from which, during the speeches, yellow leaves hutterd down upon It.
 NJ Chaumie was the first speaker. He said the government was in honor bound to participate in the funeral of one of the highest literary glories of France, whose death had cast the country into mourning Zola's life work had been dominated by anxiety for sincerity and truth, the speaker said. anxiety inspired by his great feelings of pity and justice.
 Adhered to Principles.
 Aliuding to zola's part In the Drey- fus affair M Chaumie said that when ever a cause appeared to him as a just one he regarded 1t his imperious duty to defend 1t although he had to brave unreasonable anger, suffer furious in- suits and unjust hatred and most pain ful abandonments for so doing. These clamors are already dying out, continued the speaker and death is bringing with it appeasement and calm. It has hasten ed the definite hour of justice and all truly high minded men, whatever parf they may have taken in the struggle, now bow before his coffin.
 The firal oration was delivered by An- natole France, one of the most ardent champions of the revision of the Dreyfus case, M France said that Zola's work could be compared only 10 that of Tol- stoi, but that Tolstoi had built up city of resigna tion whereas the ideal of Zola had been work.
 The speaker dwelt upon the democratic aim of the dead novelists works and then burst into a powerful tribute to Zola's part in the Dreyfus affair and a denuncintion of his enemies. He said he would not maintain a cowardly silence before the coffin of his friend, and spoke of the sinister situation in the country when the populace misled by monstrous lies and excited by odious ueclamations believed 1t had been betrayed and felt exasperated. Then Zola wrote to the president of France that terrible letter in which he denounced the forgery and felony M. France then recalled the yells of rage and shouts of Death which had pursued Zola to the law court dur ing the long trial, which he said had been judged in voluntary ignorance of the case, on false testimony and amid the rattlng of swords. In these days, con- tinred M France many good citizens de- spared or the SdlNillO0 Ol tIe ldlntI- land and of tho moral fortune of the country. But all was saved; zola's cour ageous words had awakened France. The | consequences of his action were incal- cuable. A new order of things had been founded better justice and a deeper knowledge of the rights or all men had come from his act.
 Frequent Applause.
 Applause broke frequently from M. Frances hearers during his speech and the crowd at the entrance of the cem- etery heard and re-echoed 1t
 At the conclusion of the orations the relatives of the deceased novelist group ed themselves beside the coffin and a monster procession, composed mainly of members of labor organization was allowed to enter the cemetery and file past the body. A majority of those who marched wore red flower the socialist emblem in their buttonholes; others wore bouquets of violets. Each delega- tion brought wreath and deposited 1t beside the coffin. A deputation of miners. in their working costumes. carried a bunch of flowers fastened to a pole. The people plucked the flowers and ferns which had been strewn on the coffin dur ing the ceremony and carried them away as souvenirs until none was left. After the march was concluded the coffin was placed in a temporary vault
 The proceedings were perfectly orderly until the delegations left the cemetery Then several of the leading actors in the Dreyfus affair, such as Colonel Pi- quart, Msitre I.aborie and M Jadres. were recognized and loudly cheered. Maitre Laborie, who was greatly excited addressed a few words to the crowd; but fearing that his worus would lead to trouble the police induced him and | fn aA ffo gate of the cemetery and remain there until the crowd had dispersed.
 A few scuffles occurred on the boule- yard de Clinchy. Groups o, socialists marched by singing The Carmagnole' and nationalists responded with counter cries but tho imposing force of guards and police prevented serious collisions A policeman was wounded during one row A few arrests were made put the prisoners were afterwards released.