The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-09
MANY FAILED TO
GAIN ADMITTANCE
CouqueIin. the Celebrated Actor, When
Turned Back, Remarked That It
Would Be One Of the Greatest
Dramas Ever Enacted-Drey-
fus and ZoIo Trials
Recalled.
fRy Associated Pres.1

PARlS, Aug. Sine notorious HUNT ert
family to-day faced Judge and jury to
meet the charge OF having perpetrated
what ex-Premier Waldeck-Rousseau de-
scribed as ''the greatest swindle OF the
century"
Public curiosity, which has followed the
fortunes of the family ailee the days OF
It's social briliance, is again intensely
wrought UP: the chief Interest centering
in Ia Grande There.e," who has
promised 70 produce at this trial the
mysterious American milllonaires. the
brothers Crawford, on which she based
her story OF an inheritance OF $50, 10000,
which she put forward as the security for
the loans she obtained, amounting to
about 100000.
The Palaise de Justice was early this
morning surrounded by large crowds
eager to gain admittance to the court
room. or the thousands who sought adj
mission. only few hundred OF the high
.ly-favored gained an entrance to the
court. Couquelin, the celebrated actor.
was among the tfrong OF artists. actors
and authors seeking admission, and when
ho was turned back he remarked that the
trial would be zone Of the greatest dram
as ever enacted" The scene within the
courtroom recalled the tense days OF the
Dreyfus and Zola trials.
The prisoners were brought in from the
prison OF the Conc!ergerie through sub
terranean passage leading TO the court
room.
SCORN AND DEFINACE.
In
towards them. Therese Hnmbert came
first, then her husband, Frederic, follow
cd by her brothers. Emile and Roman
d'Aurignac- Nine Humbert's face was
pale from her long confinement. Her
whole bearing. as she coldly surveyed
the spectators indicated scorn and de-
fiance.
Madame Humbert held whispered
conference with her counsel Maitre La
bori. who defended Dreyfus at the Rennes
court-martial, while the Indictment was
being read.
Madame Humbert frequently interrupt
ed the reading of the Indictment with
scornful EXPLANATIONS, which could be
heard throughout the courtroom. When
asked where she lived, she answered. I'm
prison."
The Interrogation OF MADAME Humbert
furnished the chief incident OF the day,
but failed to develop any surprise or bring
out the whereabouts OF the mysterious
Crawford brothers. her statement consist
Ing mainly Of vague declarations Of her
honesty. AS the Judge read extracts from
the "dozzler." reviewing her family an
tecedents, she waived Maitre Labori
aside. and rising with notes in her hand,
insisted on directing her own case.
ECCENTRIC FATHER.
Judge Bonnet inquired about her &C.
centric father. who assumed the title OF
count" Madame Humbert emphatically
upheld the family character. When the
Judge stated that Roman d'Aurignac had
followed his fathers example In assunl-
ing the title OF Count d'Aurignac." Ro-
main half arose and exclaimed, 1T is
false, 1t Is false
Later. he. calmness In putting off her
disclosures excited outbursts Of laughter
In which Judges and spectators Joined.
Questioned as to the Crawford Brothers,
she exclaimed: II repeat that the Craw-
fords exist"
".rhen where are they?" Inquired the
judge.
Erheir presence will be made known In
due time" she replied, amid another out
burst Of laughter.
Judge Bonnet remarked that she had
given the Same answer before. and now
was the time to produce the Crawfords.
Each question put to Madame Humbert
brought forth lengthy declarations of
her honesty, In the course of which she
asserted that her family was one OF the
most upright In France, and said that 1t
was the victim of far-reaching con-
spiracy Despite the accuse lions, she
insisted her family never wrongfuny
took penny.
VIOLENT ILLNESS.
At the afternoon session while Judge
Bonnet was interviewing the story of the
Crawford inheritance. Madame Humreft
complained of being suddenly taken with
q violent illness. The Judge. however In
sisted on proceeding with the case, inti-
mating his belief that her sickness was
feigned He then went into the details
OF the alleged Crawford operations and
their heeting residence at New York,
whereupon Madam Humbert revived SUI
ficiently to exclaim: II will prove every
thing. will show my good faith, but
not to-day--not while am sck,''
The ak examination OF Frederick Humbert
crherese's husband) followed He made
insinuations against the Minister OF Jnh-
tice. NJ. Vale and ex-Premler Waldeck-
Rousseau. Questioned as to the where
abouis OF the Crawford millions, he Pc
plied that he knew nothing about them,