The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-19

ESsagW premier of France will be brought in the little prisoners cart from her cell in St. Lazare prison to the Palais de Justice to stand her trial for the mur- Ger of Gaston Calmette, late editor of the Figaro"
 Ever since the day of the crime Madame Cailaux has been incarcerated in the most famous of the cells in this, the most famous of all women's prisons. Since the reign of terror St. Lazare, founded as a hospital for lepers, has been set apart as prison for women. Within its vast walls are gathered the worst of the fallen women of Paris To many of these, hopelessly lost to all the better instincts. the sinister institution has be- come a home and they are no sooner dis charged than they commit crimes that bring them back.
 There is a section of the prison which Is given over to the business of reforming the younger and more impressonable girls who come into the hands of the police. But it has long been realized that few, if apy, of these girls are ever saved, largely because of the indiscriminate manner of herding the weak minded with the innately vicious, and the unscientifio methods of the authorities.
 Madame Caillaux has spent her time in section of the prison provided for women awaiting trial, and, of course pre- sumed innocent until pronounced guilty. There has been an outcry in certain of the pa pers against the "exceptionaI' treat nient accorded her. But truth to tell there has been no exceptional treatment. Like every other prisoner awaiting trial she has had the privilege of ordering her meals outside (and paying for yhem her self) subject to the one restriction. The prison authorities have the right to sec that these meals are not extravagant- in short, that the prisoner is not spend- ing her time in wild orgies Like other prisoners Madame Caillaux has sepa- rate cell and she has had 1t made as comfortable as possible (again at her own expense).
 But the cell she has occupied is the one of All in the prison which would be the last she would choose if she had any say in the matter. For 1t is a cell of grim memories. In 1t have been impris- oned most of the great women criminals of modern France, besides many who have, at their trials, been declared inno- cent. Up and down this short cell has raced Madame Huinbert one of the greatest swindlers of all times; Gabrielle Bompard, the murderer of Gouffe; Mime. Limousin, whose trading in decorations provided Paris with one of her most mo- torious scandals; La Ierelli, mistress of Galley, the famous absconding bank clerk, and Madame Steinheil, the murder of whose husband and mother will be readily remembered.
 Although the date of the Caillaux trial has been purposely fixed at time when Paris is supposed to be empty, It will surpass all it's predecessors, except the Oreyfns trial. in sensationalism. month ago a seat in the body of the court could be had for s9Oo, but double this amount is demanded today. A number of the foremost French citizens will ap- pear as witnesses, and President Poin- cares evidence will be read Madame Caillaux is being defended by Fernand I.abori, one of the greatest advocates of the day, the man who saved Drey- fus.
 Although the crime itself does not be- long, strictly speaking. to the category known as crimes passionels,' the con sensus of opinion among lawyers is that Madame Caillaux will either be acquitted or sentenced to short term of impris- onment. For two years, day after day, Gaston Calmette published a series ot serious charges against Joseph Cailaux. Madame caillaux. who was deeply at- taohed to her husband, endeavored to put