Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-07-23
81 Accuse Myself" He Shrieks,
while Defending His Wife
Speaks for Two Hours.
TRIAL $ POLITICAL ASPECT
"Thy Joe" Letters Explained
Exciting Scene in Court As
Nj. CailIaux COnfr0nts
Figaro Editor.

Paris. July 21.--Joseph Caillaux held
the court for two intense hours to-day
lestifying in defense of his wife who
sat at the prisoners enclosure, charged
with the killing of Castor Calmette,
editor of the Figaro, on March 16 last.
The appearance of NJ. CaillauX was
hardly less dramatic than that of Nine.
CaillauX yesterday
The former premier still one of the
most powerful men in France, dominated
the proceedings, imposing upon them his
personality and uncommon gifts of lead
ership.
IT accuse myself" he cried in one
climax. Il committed a fault. / should
myself have acted, but, absorbed by
public affairs l failed to realize the
ravages Calmettes calumnies had made
On the soul of my wife"
NJ. CaillauX spoke as If in the cham
Der and he gesticulated freely
The trial has now entered upon its poll
teal phase and brings to mind that Call
auX is the strong man OF the radical
groups now ruling France
He would, he said tell the Jury the
history of his private life from his first
HIhliltSt ubNH 10 tne SAD event WHICH
caused his presence on the stand He
explained the incident of the two letters,
which he supposed had been destroyed
before his divorce from his first wife. He
only knew Of their existence when
friend warned him that they were abou.
to be published.
When he married Nine Raynouard he
knew for the first time what true hap
piness was. At this, Nine. Cailaux
bowed her head in her hands and sob
bed softly.
She was a most tender. affectionate
wife" said NJ. Callaux. eve lived and
live in the closest communion of heart
and mind. MY wife, however, took alarm
at the dangers my political campaign ex-
posed me to. She tried to dissuade me
from entering Doumergue's cabinet The
Income tax, she said, had formidable
adversares and l should be the object
Of fierce press campaigns
'As she foretold, the attacks recon-
menced with redoubled fury, but could
lot believe that any one would publish
he Thy Joe letters. although I had
>een warned by Pierre Morder. by the
Princess of Monaco and by the Princess
# Mesagne- Estradere."
After the publication of the Thy Joe"
etters, NJ Caillaux's first wife telephoned
him to clear herself of any suspicion he
night have had that she was respon-
ible for its divulEence
AT that time" said NJ. Caillaux. "I
irmly believed that other letters would
'e published My wife shared my be-
ief'
NJ. CaillauX now violently denounced
he calumnies levelled against his hon
ety.
Never have I touched a single stock
If my personal fortune while minister Of
anance,' he declared. Never did a
Bourse order come out of my office"
Returning to the Thy Joe" letters. he
described the effect of its publication
upon his wife. Finally he became 50
mbued with her fears that other letters
would he published that he consulted
President Poincare, who had been one
" the witnesses of their marriage The
president did his best to reassuro him
md advised him to consult a lawyer.
MY lawyer told me-" continued NJ.
Caillaux, that nothing could he done.
| then said to my wife: BE treasured
[ Will 90 and smash Calmette's snout
myself After that felt relieved in
mind but my wife, on the other hand,
was depressed.
AT the police station, on nv wav
lome from the Senate I learned of the
ragedy My wife's constant prayer was:
! hope he is not seriously hurt; I meant
only to give him a lesson "
Caillaux was shaken by emotion and