The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-05
SHOT in THE HAND WHILE AT
TENDING lNTERMENT OF
zoLA.s BODY.
EXCITING SCENES
Opposition to Removal Of Body Of
zola to Pantheon, Ends in Assault
on Noted Army OFFICER He Defended,
While Ceremonies Were Being Held.
Pandemonium Reisned.

Pandemonium Reigned.
Paris, June 4.-The canonization to-
day Of Emil Zola at the Pantheon was
nlarred by a dastardly, though unsuc-
cessful attempt upon the life Of Major
Alfred Dreyfus. Paris was thrown
into a state Of panic, for It was first
thought that the president had been
shot down. The major was wounded
in the hand and his assailant is a
prisoner.
Emil Zola, who died in September,
1902, was 10 years ago condemned to
8 years imprisonment for addressing
to Felix Fauere, then president of
France, the famous letter "J'Accuse"
I in which he laid bare the conspiracy
in the general army star against Ma
jor Dreyfus. Today his dust was In
tered with national honors in the
Pantheon, the French temple of fame,
with impressive ceremonies. The pro-
posal to give Zola glorious burial,
made first in 1906, aroused in France,
all the dormant animosities that came
out during the Dreyfus trials, and the
transfer of his ashes, although duly
voted by the chamber of deputies and
the senate had to be twice postponed
because Of the state Of public opinion.
Disorders and rioting were expected
today, and the authorities found 1t ex-
pedient to adopt measures for the
preservation Of peace.
Opposition to Honoring zoia.
The opposition to removing the re-
mains Of zola to the Pantheon arises
from the fact that he is thus honored
because Of his famous letter not be-
cause OF his literary fame. He was
the first succ cessful leader in the Drey-
fus war; he vanquished the general
stan OF the army and to give him a
glorious burial In the national Pan
theon at the side OF Berthelo and Pres.
ident Carnot, Victor Hugo, Stoltair
and Rousseau to an accompaniment Of
martial music, while long lines Of
soldiers filed before his tom, aroused
the passions Of a large number of the
French people.
The attempt on the life Of Major
Dreyfus was made by Louis Anthelene
Gregori, a member Of the stan OF La
France Militaire, q Journal devoted to
military progress and the military fu.
ture Of the republic. Major Dreyfus
was present at the ceremonies to do
final honors to the great leader Of his
cause. 1s3
melted by Newspaper.
Gregori's act undoubtedly was in
spired by the campaign which the re-
dictionary press has been conducting
against Zola as ian insulter OF the
army" and "a traitor Of his country y"
furthermore the catholic Faith, a
paper which was supporter Of Cen
eral Boulanger, was violently opposed
to Dreyfus. The special edition Of
La Librare Patriot published yester-
day was a direct incitement to vio-
lence.
The government and parliament
when 1t decided to inter Zola in the
national Pantheon beside Carnot,
Hugo and other great Frenchmen, rea.
lized fully that it was arousing the
smoldering embers Of Dreyfus hatred.
but Premier Clemenceau and the pres
ent government, including War Minis
ter Picquart, who attained his present
position as a result Of the successful
outcome Of the long Dreyfus struggle
did not shrink from this final act Of
Justice to the memory Of this man.
No Elaborate Ceremonies.
The program for the ceremonies was
consequently carefully arranged to
i avoid any organized street manifesta-
tions. There was no public lying IN
state under the Arc de Triumphs as
IL the case Of Victor Hugo, % years
ago, nor any popular procession Of un-
told ends such as followed the famous
novelist to his grave. Instead the re-
mains Of Zola were quietly taken to
the Pantheon last night. But the man
ffestations OF last night, although not
very serious, gave the government
ample warning Of the possibility Of
trouble today.
In order, therefore, to be prepared
for any eventuality, the long lines Of
mounted cuirassiers and republican
guards were deployed along all OF the
streets. Over 10000 people were
massed on the streets and In the win.
dows commanding view Of the Pan
theon before half past nine, at which
hour. President Fallieres and the cab
met. escorted by cuirrassiers drove
up in carriages and alishted in front