New-York tribune., 1909-11-05
rBy The Associated Pr--s.I


paris Nov As on the opening day
of this sensational case. all Paris was
wrought TO a high tension over the
promised disclosures. and although II
was known that but few could pass
within the precincts of the court, hun
dreds remained outside TO watch ana 10
discuss in excited tones the progress OF
the case as il came 10 them through the
newspaper extras that flooded the
streets.
Nine. Steinheil was dressed in
mourning gown. a dramatic though pa
thetic figure. In the midst of her inqui-
sition by the presiding judge. her attor-
ney. NJ Aubin, with melOdramatic effect
suddenly pushed to the forefront man
who. he said. wished TO confess that he
had taken part in the murders of which
Nine Steinheil was charged. NJ Aubin
read a letter signed Jean Lefevre.
asking that he be permitted to confess,
and then he pointed at the man and
said. This is Jean Lefevre-'
Nine. Steinhei gazed at the man wear
ily. and after he had made a rambling
statement. in which he said that. dis
guised as a woman and wearing a wig
of red hair. he had helped to commit the
murders. she declared that she could not
identify him as one of the murderers
whom she had previously described.
The presiding judge promptly ordered
Lefevre's arrest and an investigation OF
his statement, and warned the jury that
this might prove to be another attempt
TO battle justice. A search of the man
disclosed two photographs. one of Mime.
Steinheil and the other of the house
where the crime was committed. Le-
fevre was locked up as a vagabOnd.
on further examination before a mag
istrate Lefevre said that his name is
Rene Collard and that he Is an actor.
He admitted that ne had not the slight
est connection with the crime, and had
merely acted on chivalrous impulse TO
save Nine Steinheil. of whose innocence
he was convinced. He was ordered de-
tained pending verification of his iden-
tity.
Just before the close of the day came
the first direct mention of the late Felix
Faure. President Of France. Much of the
interest i'm the prcrent case lies in the
friendship that is known 10 have existed
between Nine Steinheil and the late NJ
Faure, and several times the prisoner
made va que reference 10 "A high political
parsonage who had been my friend"
The direct reference To the President
was made to-day in connection with a
discussion on the incident of finding in
the subway an invitation 10 aH exhi-
bition at the Steinheil home. together
with pieces Of visiting card of Mime.
Maseline. with the name of a cOstumer
written in. which Mime. Steinheil asserts
was dropped by the fleeing assassins.
Responding TO "A question as TO whether
il was at the home Of Mime. Maseline at
Havre she met President Felix FauTe.
the prisoner replied:
NO: ii was during trip in the Alps q"
The Judge did not pursue this line OF
inquiry further. Owing 10 the many try
ing ordeaIs Of the day and the fatigue
which the prisoner showed. her lawyer
asked for an early adjournment. and the
hearing was brought TO close By the
Judge making reference 10 the accusation
against Frederick Harrison Birmingham.
an American newspaper man. but the
prisoner persisted that she had never
Continued on second page.