The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-22
CA|LLAUX SAYS
He IS TO BLAME
FOR SHOOTING
Former Frence Premier Is on
Stand TO Defend His Wife
TRIAL BECOMES POLITICAL
Husband of CaImett's Slayer on
Stand During Two Grilllng
TRIAL BECOMES POLITICAL

Paris, July -JObepn OdlllduA
held the court for two intense hours
yesterday, testifying in defense of
his wife, who sat in the prisoners in
closure, charged with the killing of
CASTOR Calmette, editor of the Paris
Figaro, on March 16 last. The APP
pearance of NJ. Caillaux was hardly
less dramatic than that Of Nine.
Caillaux Monday.
81 accuse myself" he cried in one
climax 81 committed fault.
should myself have acted, but alb
sorbed by public affairs, failed to
realize the ravages Calmette's calum
MES had made on the soul of my wife"
The trial has entered upon its pc
litical phase, and those who sat in
the courtroom had occasion to bring
to mind that Caillaux is the strong
man Of the radical groups now ruling
France. He would, he said, tell the
jury OF the history of his private life
from his first marriage down TO the
sad event which caused his presence
on the stand. He explained the in.
cident 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
about to be published. When he
married Nine Raynouard he knew
for the first time what true happi
ness was. When he spoke of her,
Nine Caillaux hushed crimson and
bowed her head in her hands and
sobbed silently.
she was a most tender affection
ate wife," said NJ. Caillaux. I'VE
lived and live in the closest commun-
ion of heart and mind. My wife, how
ever took alarm at the dangers my
political campaign exposed me to.
She tried to dissaude me from enter
ing Doumergue's cabinet. The in.
come tax, she said, had formidable ad
versaries and | should be the object
of fierce press campaigns.
'As she foretold the attacks
recommended with redoubled fury,
but | refused to adopt the means EN-
ployed by other politicians to stop
them. | pursued my way undeterred
| could not believe that anyone
would publish the Thy Joe letter, al.
though ! had been warned by Pierre
Morder, by the princess of Monaco
and by the princess of MesagneEs.
tradere"
After the publication of the 'Thy
joe letter, NJ Caillauxs first wife
telephoned him to clear herself of
any suspicion he might have had that
she was responsible for its divul-
gence. AT that time" said NJ. Gail.
laux. 81 firmly believed that other
letters would be published. My wife
shared my belief. which was confirm.
ed by information from a number OF
persons.
Up TO this time NJ. Caillaux had
been moderately calm. but now he
worked himsef up to a violent fit OF
Indignation as he denounced the
calumnies leveled against his homes
ty. Never have | touched a single
stock of my personal fortune while
minister of finance" he declared.
Never did bourse order come out
of my Office. | affirm it in the
strongest terms"
Returning to the Thy Joe" letter,
he described the effect of its publica.
ton on his wife. Finally he became
so impregnsted with her fears that
other letters would be published that
he consulted President Poincare, who
had been one of the witnesses OF
Their marriage. The president did
his best to reassure him and advised
him to consult a lawyer. MY law.
yer told me- continued NJ. Caillaux,
that nothing could be done. / then
said to my wife: BE treasured. |
win go and smash Calmette's snout
myself After that I felt relieved in
mind. but my wife. on the other
hand. was depressed"
Caillaux was shaken by emotion
and showed WEAKNESS. he asked for
10 minutes rest. and during the re-
cess went over to the dock and took
his wife's hand and kissed it feryent-
~. When NJ. Caillaux resumed the
stand he entered upon the purely DO
litical phase OF his deposition. The
excitement of listeners reached
fever heat. Some Of his statements
were mingled with boots and cheers.
despite the stern threats OF the pre-
siding judge TO arrest any disturber