South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-07-20

q fit of passionate sobbing. In the
silence of the court room she could be
heard throughout the chamber.
Gains sympathy OF Crowd.
Within less than two hours after
the trial opened there was plenty of
evidence to show that Nine. Caillaux
was gaining the sympathy of the
spectators.
Following her outburst of tears, the
prisoner recovered her composure.
but by the trembling of her lips and
hands it was seen that she was agi-
tated.
After the court had completed his
reading of the Indictment Nine. Gail
lauX was given permission TO address
the jurors. She had prepared a long
rambling statement, written in her
own hand, explaining how she had
been led to shoot Calmette. This
statement had evidently been pre-
pared under great stress of mind. for
part of it was incoherent.
Nine. Caillaux spoke in voice that
was scarcely above a whisper. At
times she swayed and seemed in. dan
ger of collapse, but grasped the rail
ing before her and rallied her
strength.
Husband May Enter Box.
While the prisoner was speaking a
sensational rumOr was spread
throughout the crowd to the effect
that NJ. Caillaux might enter the wit
ness box and assume full response
bility for the crime. According to
this report the former minister would
hold himself responsible on the
ground of his threats against Cal
mette, made in the hearing of his
wife, had so upset the latter that. /
through her intense love for her hus- |
band she lost her head and decided |
TO kill the journalist
pressed the opinion that such action |
on Caillaux's part would undoubtedly |
result in acquittal.
Pleads Unwritten Law.
Nine. Caillaux pleaded the "unwrit- |
ten law in behalf of herself declar- |
ing that she had been actuated in |
shooting Calmette because she feared |
that he was about TO publish some Of |
her private correspondence with a |
view to compromising her honor.
Il feared Calmette was going to /
publish love letters written to me by |
my beloved husband" declared the |
prisoner. 'I was moved to defend |
my name and the honor of my hus-
band. We had not been guilty of any |
moral crime, but 1 feared that mis-
construction might have been put |
upon the letters"
Reviews Her Life
Nine. CaillauX reviewed her life |
from the time of her first marriage |
with NJ. Claretie down to the present.
She had been divorced from NJ. Clare
tie who was a journalist.
My married life with NJ. Caillaux
has been perfectly happy except for
the attacks made upon my husband |
by political opponents" said she.
within 90 days 13S articles at
tacking my husband appeared in Lee
Figaro.
els is anv Uonder that WAS dis
tracted ?" cried the prisoner. throwing |
outward her arms.
The prisoner then read a number
Of extracts from these articles which |
she declared were not directed against |
his political policy, but against his
good name and reputation.
Letters Were Stolen.
As to the manner in which Cal |
mette received copies of her letters, |
Nine Caillsux said:
Mime. Gueydam, first wife of NJ. /
CaillauX. opened the desk of my hus- i
bands secretary and extracted letters /
from IT, These letters were returned |
afterward Gin 19O9), but in the mean
while Photographic copies of them |
had been made"
An interesting fact came to light |
during the first session OF the trial. |
Pres. Poincare, who has gone 10 Rus |
Sia on a state visit. is so interested |
in the case that he ordered wireless |
reports of its progress TO be sent him. /
Shortly after o'clock court took /
a recess for 80 minutes.
Nine. Caillaux had not completed I
the reading OF her statement when /
the recess came. Her manner had /
changed and she had lost a good deal !
OF the stage fright which marked /
her demeanor at the beginning of the |
trial