The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-13
BONDS
THEREsE HUMBERT's TRIUMPH
An Interesting Example for the stu.
dent of Human Development.

.
Paris Letter in New York Post.
NOW / understand" said one of the
gravest members of the Paris bar, after
single session of the court which was try
ing Madame Therese Humbert-
Alert. keen-eyed and straightforward,
knowing her case and knowing exactly
what she wished to say and what she was
determined others should say, even in spite
of themselves. she managed judges and
lawyers. her accusers and their witnesses,
Just as she managed society when 1t ac-
cepted her tales of inherited fortunes at
the beginning, and as she managed sharp
financial men during all the years she drew
money from them. The trial has ended in
her acquittal on this first side count, and
what Is more-she has seen the sentiment
OF the audience and even of the press turn
in her favor. After such triumph there
will be little room for surprise at favora-
bic issue OF her final trial for 1.-The greatest
swindle of the century"
Therese Humbert, she becomes better
known, will prove a most valuable human
document to the student of primitive man
and OF civilized man still acting on primi-
tive impulses that survive all culture The
Partisan barrister thinks he understands
how Therese Humbert has managed men at
the dawning of the twentieth century. He
might as well understand from her how
years ago. No doubt. as she exists to-day,
she explains how the Nanderthal0id man,
with acute mental processes. but little de-
noeratiye power. could develop from the
human herd running competition with the
higher apes for the one essential, food, into
a plundering tribe, making of its posi-
ton, plunder being its beginning of CIV
ness
The question at issue was whether The
rese Humbert. in the last days before she
gave up the struggle for splendid existence
and became a fugitive. had been guilty of
"calumnous denulciation" TO the courts of
one OF her oldest money lenders, the Anglo
Franco-Egyptian banker, Cattaui. She had
him prosecuted for usury when he insisted
fnconveniently that she should pay him
back the face value OF his account against
her. Nj. Leydet, who is now examining
judge In her own case, accepted her denun-
citation.
Counselsd by his lawyer, NJ. Vale, who is
now minister OF justice Of the French Re-
public M Cattaui succeeded I'm obtaining
legal order for the opening Of the fire.
proof safe. In which Therese Humbert pre-
tended her mythical fortune was concealed.
The safe was opened and found empty
Tnerese Humbcrt had disappeared When
she was taken NJ. Cattaui pushed the
charge against her that. when she brought
him before the court for usury she had
illuminated him and had done IL know
ingly.
He had not been happy in his attack on
one who. for the moment, Is down. His
son-in-law. NJ. Reitlinger, who is a lawyer
OF the Court of Appeals and officer of the
Legion of Honor, and NJ Cremieux who is
n senator of the Republic and lawyer of the
Egyptian Bank. OF which M. Cattaui was
correspondent. have not saved his case-not
even with their fits of anger before the
court at honest people being accused by
swindlers. Minister of Justice Vale in
dulged I'm the same anger before ParIia-
ment. though really he was accused only
Of having counseled II. Cattaui as a law
yer and or not taking pains enough to Sc
cure the arrest OF the Humberts when min
lister.
Perhaps the court made IL a point of
honor to allow Madame Humbert every lat
itude OF defense, because the minister of
Justice was remotely involved AT any rate
her opponents We're no match for her. She
had direct. unyarying assertions on her
side: a reply with distinctions was not
enough. Judge Leydet whom she called
as witness did better than distinguish: he
pleaded professional secrecy and refused to
answer She leaned over. fixing him i'm the
eyes with the intense glance of wild ami
NAL ready TO spring. There was a moment
of breathless silence in the court Judge
I.eydet tried valiantly TO maintain the honor
OF the law and looked steadily back: but he
was unequal 10 the contest physiologically
and at last uneasily turned his eyes away.
A sigh OF relief ran through the courtroom
and Therese Humbert. unmoved. took up
again the thread OF her triumphant defense
The public prosecutor. when he came To
sum up. thought IL necessary 10 say few
words about the far heavier crimes with
which she stands accused before another
court but here and now he charged heavily
I'm her favor; there was no sign of calum-
nious intention in the accusations she had
brought OF usury against her creditor; there
was evidence OF good foundation for the
accusation Is this reason why not one
OF the creditors or Therese Humbert has
come forward TO make complaint against
her for the money he has lost? The exam
lining Judge has now evidence OF claims
amounting TO more than ll5O00.0o0 francs
snd this does not include the money bor-
rowed on the security OF mortgages on
some nifty houses or pieces OF real estate.
IN her borrowing Therese Humbert asked
very directly for what she wanted and
promised what the lenders wanted: when
the dme came 10 pay she again chose the