New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-20
THE HUMBERTS' DEFENCE
MAITRE LABORPS PLFA
Hints at Chain of Circumstance,
Tending to Clear Prisoners.

Paris. Aug. 19.-Naitre Labor to-day op.,.s
his address in defence of the Humberts noI-.
ing out that Nine. Humbert had NOT saf1 -
had secret and intended to keep II. IN. =.
had frankly said she had q secret which -
intended to divulge fully She had given con-
sci her confidence. telling him her reason e.
believing that the Crawford millions exts..s
but she had not asked him 70 verify the ,..,.
so he was not able to state them as rnattsr. :,
his own knowledge or to offer his guarantee -.
her statements. feeling that she was fully am.
to present her own disclosures
Concerning the testimony. Naftra -
maintained that it was not sufficient 70 conv1..
the Humberts Of any specific act OF forgery !.
swindling. but 1t consisted OF Vague. za1.-,,
allegations that the Crawfords did NOT 49,.
and that the millions did not exist. He =,
sisted that it insufficient for the prosecut,o,
to demand. Where are the CrawfordsP" ara
Where are the Millions but that It was m
cumbent on the prosecution TO establish AZ
frmatively that both the Crawfords and n.
millions did not exist.
Counsel further insisted that the whole u-os.-
cution proceeded from the idea that a huv.
swindle existed and that 1t was necessary fo-
the Humberts to prove themselves innocsn+
whereas the requirement Of the prosecution was
to prove them specifically guilty.
Maftre LabOri pointed out that criminal prs
ceedings were not taken until the Humber.
family had fallen from its high estate, and Ia
clared that he could but would not Great. =
scandal by revealing the names Of certain p.r
sons contained in the sealed documents who haa
sought favors in the prosperous days Of ths
family. He further accused the governments ~
giving out certain names in this connection.
Referring TO the empty safe Naitra Laho-f
said:
Suppose the existence of terrible sscrst ~
which Nine. Therese learned a part three or
four years ago: suppose the Crawfords bore
name so hateful 10 mention that IL would scan
dalize your patriotism; suppose Nine Theresss
father, uniting with the Crawfords 10 conceal
which betrayed it and preserved only the agree
ment to sequeStrate the securities. SUPPOSE
Mime. Therese having fnfringed single condition
or the agreement found herself between the
importunate creditors OF the Crawford brothers
and the possessors OF The secret and vas Obliged
the condition was infringed. suppose the Craw-
ford brothers. fearing that the fortune would ba
seized refused to produce IT on May T. casting
in Nine Thereses teeth the whole truth Of the
hateful name suppose she hurried to Bordeaux
where she expected 10 md the younger Craw-
ford. and then 70 Madrid. seeking the man whose
telegram would place the millions in the safe.
and, falling 10 find him. lost her head completely
then, all becomes plain.
NIaitre Labori discussing the strictly legal
aspects OF the case. affirmed that there were
ample grounds 10 obtain the quashing of the In
dictment. but Nine. Therese insisted on seeking
her acQuittal by a jury. because politics had
been brought into the affair. He viii contfnus
his address tomorrow