New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-12
JURY ACQUITS GREGORI
Unexpected Close to Trial of Man
Who Shot Dreufus.

Paris. Sept iI-With the acquittal tonight by
jury in the Assize Court of Louis A CSregori who
nred upon and wounded Major Dreyfus at the close
OF the ceremonies last June incident to the placing
OF the body of Emile lola in the Pantheon the
Dreyfus affair, which has divided France into two
camps for the last twelve years. may be said to
have been buried beyond all possibility of resur-
rection.
Inc government, it evident from the re
marks of the Advocate General in the summing
up did not want severe sentence, which would
make martyr of N. Gregori. but merely
regional sentence, which would allow the matter
TO ole out 1t generally believed that the court
would condemn Gregori to six months imprison-
ment, ana his complete acquitta4 unexpected.
Those present in the courtroom gave vent to their
feelings according 10 their political views, and the
courtroom resounded with mingled boots and
cheers. The president of the court. however, soon
quelled the disturbance by ordering the courtroom
cleared An attempt was madc to start a mani
festation outside the building. but this also was
frustrated by the police
The days proceedings in the court were unevent-
ful- and only once there q possibility of
sensational incident This when Colonel du
Patty de Clam passed Dreyfus his way from the
witness stand his seat in the body Of the house
As he reached Dreyfus the colonel paused per-
ceptibly thrill ran through the court, and there
was audible muttering of He's going TO strike
him. but the colonel suddenly drew himself to his
full height, shrugged his shoulders contemporary
and passed to his seat
The presiding Judge continued to-day as yester-
day to rule out all attempts TO reopen the Old Drey-
fs issue There was considerabl BILE turbulence in the
courtroom as witness after witness suppressed
These included NJ Berteaux, ex-Minister of War;
Colonel du Patty de Clam and Henri Rochefort-
Colonel du Patty de Clans rambling statement, in
which he asserted that men now in power were IN
league to prevent the disclosure of the truth of the
Dreyfus affair interrupted by the Judge who
compelled him TO leave the stand on the ground
that his testimony entirely irrelevant Gregort
asked NJ Rochefort to disclose the deposition made
before the Court of Cessation, but the judge re-
fused to put the question NJ. Rochefort left the
stand with appeal to the jury to acquit Gregorl
After the witnesses had finished giving their
testimony. and neither Premier Clemenceau.
War Minister Picquart any other member Of
the government appeared NJ Gregori began his
address to the jury. He said:
II appear before you because at my own risk
and peril I made a personal protest against the
inpudence Of the Dreyfusards IN clarifying the
author Of La Debacle" at the Pantheon and
against the humiliation inflicted upon the army
by being obliged to defIe before the man who
twice has been convicted by court martial"
The prisoner then said that, whatever hap
pened he always would be glad TO strike at the
right arm Of Dreyfus which had committed
treason. Continuing, he said: For me the de-
cree Of the Court Of Cessation a judicial
error; the nomination of General Picquart TO be
Minister of War was e most violent blow to the
morale of the army; the Legion Of Honor was
dishonored by the nomination Of Dreyfus. and
the ceremony at the Pantheon came a crown
ing infamy We were provoked and deied by
Dreyfusism. and acted in a sort of legitimate
self-defence.'
Gregori closed hts address with the remark
that it for the jury TO decide whether he had
committed act for which he should be con-
demned.
The Advocate General. in summing up the
case for the state, characterized Gregoris act as
a vulgar attempt at assassination, and nothing
else.