The Sentinel=record., 1914-07-22
FORMER PREMIER TAKES STAND IN DEFENSE OF THE CHARGE
 AGAINST HIS WIFE.
GIVES A DRAMATIC RECITAL
Tells of Personal and Political Rea- sons For the Attack Upon Himself by the Editor of the Fiqaro-De. fends His Political Policy.

Paris, July 21.-Joseph Caiilaux held the court for two intense hours today, testifying in defense of his wife, charged with the killing of Gas ton Calmette, editor of the Figaro, on March l6 last. The appearance of M. Caillaux was hardly less dramatic than that of Mme. Caillaux yester- day
 The former premier, still one of the most powerful men in France, domi- mated the proceedings. q accuse myself" he cried in the climax. q committed a fault. I should have acted, but, absorbed by public affairs, l failed to realize the favages Calmette's calumnes had made on the soul of my wife"
 M. Caillaux gesticulated freely. The trial has entered upon it's politi- cal phase and those who sat in the court room 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 the history of his private life from his first marriage down to the sad events which caused his presence on the stand. He explained the incident of he two letters. lie only knew of their existence when friend warned him that they were about to be pub lished
 When he married Mme. Raynouard he knew for the first time what true happiness was.
 She was a most tender, affection ate wife,' said M. Caillaux. We lived in the closest communion of heart and mind. My wife, however, took alarm at the dangers my political campaign exposed me to. She tried to dissuade me from entering Dou- mergues cabinet. The committee tax, she said, had formidable adversa- ries and I should be the object of fierce press campaigns.
 AS she foretold, the attacks re- commenced with redoubled fury, but | refused to adopt the means em- D owed by other politicians to stop them and pursued my way unde- tered. l could not believe that any one would publish the Thy Jo' letter, although l had been warned by Pierre MCrder, by taC Princess of Monaco and the Princess of Mesagnn- Estrader."
 After the publication of the "Thy Jo' letter, M. Caillaux's first wife telephoned him to clear herself of any suspicion that he might have had that she was responsible for it's divul- gence.
 At that time," said M. Caillaux, T firmly believed that other letters would be published. My wife shared my belief, which was confirmed by information from a number of per sons."
 At this time NJ. Caillaux worked himself up to a violent fit of indig- nation as he denounced the calum- nies leveled against his honesty.
 Never have l touched single stock with my personal fortune while minister of finance" he declared. Returning to the Thy Jo'' letter, he i described the effect of It's publication OF his wife. Finally he became so | impregnated with her fears that other letters would be published that hes consulted President Poincare, who did his best to reassure him and ad- yised him to consult lawyer. My lawyer told me- continued NJ. Gail laux, that nothing could be done. I then said to my wife: Be treasured. 1 will go 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 my way home from the senate 1 learned of the tragedy. My wifes constant prayer was, I hope he is not seriously hurt; I meant only to give him a lesson"
 Caillaux asked for ten minutes rest and went over to the dock. took one of his wife's hands and kissed it fervently.
 l M Caillaux now entered upon the purely political part of his testimony. During his examination the interest |