New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-04
Paris Gang, of Which Bonnet
and GARNER Were Leaders,
in Court Fl Strong.
INCLUDING THREE WOMEN
Men Are of Exceptional Intelli-
gence, Energy and Educa.
tional Attainments-So-
cialism a la Kropotkine.
BY Cable TO The Tribune

part OF the admirably organized per-
fectly disciplined and fully equipped
phalanx OF hghwaymen that during
six months held Paris and its suburbs
in terror by their skilful and rapid eX-
PLOTS OF murder, burglary and robbery.
biles. arsenals Of revolvers and car
bines and by an adroit use of the tele-
phone service, began at noon to-day in
the Court of Assizes. 1t is the most
sensational trial of its kind ever held
here. Owing 10 he outspoken an
archistic sympathies expressed for the
prisoners. formidable precautions had
been taken by the police authorities 70
guard against any attempts at rescue,
demonstrations or other disorder.
! OF the original band four-Bonnot,
GARNER, Wallet and Dubois-met their
deaths in pitched battles with the po-
/ lice and gendarmes, three have never
yet been captured and one. Reinbault,
| became raving mad and is now in d
straitjacket In a lunatic asylum.
Fine Looking Men.
AS your correspondent scrutinized
the faces OF the prisoners through an
opera glass this afternoon as they sat
on long. high benches, each between
two gendarmes, listening 10 the read
ing of the indictments. II was startling
to note that with few exceptions they
are very fine looking young men, their
eyes beaming with intelligence, deter
mination and energy. Strong charac-
ter is outlined and stamped on their
features
Many Of the accused have written
their "reminiscences and kept diaries.
Soudy, a lad Of twenty-one, who used
a carbine with such fatal effect on his
pursuers at Chantilly. has recounted
his exploits in an epic poem showing
exceptional literary talent and pro-
claiming a brand OF socialism like that
of Kropotkine, totally opposed to col
lectivism. Soudy says The develop
ment Of mysticism and chastity. thus
creating individual perfection, will
eventually transform society"
The prisoners seemed in good humoT
as they smiled and gazed at judge,
lawyers and public, and glanced ire
ouently at the large glass-coVered
showcases containing quantities OF re-
volvers, carbines, ammunition and
other articles of circumstantial evil
dence.
Anna Maitrejean, nicknamed RI
rette." an attractive young woman OF
tw.nty-four. wore a long black blouse
with a russell leather belt. and broad
linen collar. cut in sailor fashion, set
off effectively her luxuriant dark brown
| hair.
"Rirette" smiled affectionately at her
companions in the dock and glanced
defiantly at the bench and at the prose-
cutting attorneys. She had two femi-
nine companions in the dock.
The jury is composed Of serious mat
ter-of fact looking men OF ages rang
ing between thirty-eight and sixty, the
vacations OF engineer, architect, car
riage maker and physician being
among those represented.
Very heavy sentences are expected
The trial will probably last two weeks
Some 3O4 witnesses have been SUD-
penaed.
Every entrance TO the vast Palais
de Justice was strongly guarded no one
being permitted to enter unless able To
show that he had business in one or the
courts, and the police patrolled the
streets IN the neighborhood, arrestinS
all loiterers.
To-day's proceedings consisted OF
the reading Of the long Indictment
the rollcall Of witnesses, VINO were
then dismissed until Thursday, and
tho examination Of two Of the accused
by the court: ,,,s, ,bs
twentv-one prisoners comprises no
favor than twenty-five murders.
The first record Of the operations OF
Tho hand deals with the theft or
large quantity Of guns, reviewers ana
daepers from a gunsmiths shop In
parie in November, 1911. Then In
rand succession followed murders OF
cbauffeurs, bank messengers freight
agents and policemen. Several Dranch
hanks in the suburbs were ralded at
tho points of revolvers. Even the
Rank Of France did not escape their
o0orts. for they made an attempt 10
rob it Of S2OOOCO.
The police were special marks ioF
choir hatred. They murdered a patrol
man at midday opposite the principal
railroad terminal in Paris. Ihey also
Lil,ed Assistant superintendent Jouin
:, the Paris detective department ana
y. ,ho came time wounded Chief In
spector Colmar.
ponnot. known as the demon
oharf,aur~ was killed in April last
aftor q fierce battle against thousands
90 notice and troops at Choisy-le-Roi'
noar Paris, together with Dubois one
of his accomplices. Another ieader'
| carrier also met his death in a night
! with the police.