Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-20
Nine. CaiIIaux, Slayer Of
Editor of Figaro, Faces
Jury in Paris
TO BE NOVEL DEFENSE
Surgeons to Be Blamed for
Death of CaImette in Not
Operating Immediately.

Paris, France, July 20.-Thoughts OF
all Parisians today were occupied
solely by the opening of the trial of
Madame Caillaux for the murder OF
Castor Calmette, editor of the Figaro.
The proceedings were started at noon
in the palace OF justice, Justice Albanel
acting as president of the court.
A dramatic setting for the affair in
volving political intrigues in which the
prisoners husband, former French
premier and minister of finance. was
prominent figure. was just to the
taste of the French public. Added to
this was a rumored threat of royalist
hotheads to create disturbance dur
ing the trial, and extensive precautions
were taken by the government to pre-
vent an outbreak. Long before the
opening of the palace of justice crowds
defying a drizzlfng rain assembled in
the vicinity and special forces of
police were called to keep order. But
few places were left for the general
public in the court room, which for
the most part was allotted to press
representatives and barristers.
Figaro In Violent Attack.
Newspapers today are filed with
references to the case. The Figaro
came out with a violently worded ar
ticle on the opening of the trial from
the pen of Alfred Capus, recently
chosen academican or immortal"
who occupies the editorial chair held
by Calmatte. In it he declares THE
party which assassinated Calmette is
doing it's best to defile his memory.
Those who slew from behind would
like to transform him into man in
volved in the shady finances of a
pirate Caillaux. Go and do not put
yourself out. You have well sharpen
ed teeth, heavy jaw, an appetite ex-
cited by the smell Of blood, but the
honor of Calmette is wrought in mar
BILE you will be unable to bite into"
The only women present in court
were two women barristers and sew
eral witnesses. The rest of the space
was occupied by 147 reporters, 20 art
lists, rs witnesses. about so barristers
and possibly as many republican
guards, detectives and petty court Of
ficers Madame Caillaux wept when
the court clerk reading the indictment
came to the words "wilful murder"
The jury is composed of men of
many tTdQ65 dHu pTOlSSSlOHS
AS soon as the jurors, who had been
drawn by lot in private room, and the
four judges composing the court had
taken their places, President Albanel
called loudly. Bring in the accused"
The guards opened small door in the
wall of the court room beneath a bust
of the Goddess of Liberty and Nine.
Caillaux stepped into the center of the
tribunal. She then entered the prison
ers enclosure and stood with eyes
downcast, and shoulders bent, a timid-
looking figure in black. The judge in a
clear voice said, what is your manner
The words, "Genevieve Caillaux,"
could scarcely be heard.
AS the prisoner remained standing
the judge said, you may sit down."
Doctors to Be Witnesses.
The report that the defense intends
to raise the question as to whether or
not NJ. Calmette's death was due to
lack of proper treatment after the
shooting because of the failure of the
surgeons to operate promptly is con-
firmed by the fact that a number OF
doctors have been summoned to testify.
Nine Caillaux was visited Sunday by
her husband, Joseph Caillaux. the for
mer minister of finance and once pre-
mier of France. Because of the high
position of those connected with the
case, the trial is attracting intense in
terest.
Nine. Caillaux shot Calmette on.
March 16 in the Office of the Figaro.
In the indictment against the defend-s
ant full weight is given to the state of.
mind to which Nine. Caillaux was re-,
duced by M. Calmette's campaignl
against her husband. which is desig-I
mated as personal and violent"
The indictment also recites that the
crime was committed with premedita-l
ton and 1t is around this question that,
the struggle between prosecution and
the dafansa uin h< fcnnl,t