Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-22
Former Premier Is on
Stand for Two
Hours at Paris
Tuesday
Dramatic Climaxes in His Story
Of Private Life-Proceedings
Show Political Phase-Knew
True Happiness When Mar
ried to Nine. RaynOuard-
Consulted President POincare
Over Menace of Letters

Paris, July 2f.-Joseph CaillauX held
the attention of the court for two in
tense hours today, testifying in de-
fence of his wife, who SATIN the pris-
oners' enclosure, charged with the
killing of CASTOR Calmette The ap-
pearance of NJ. Caillaux was hardly
less dramatic than that of Madame
CaillauX yesterday.
The former premier still one of the
most powerful men in France, dom
mated the proceedings.
Accuses Himself
Z accuse myself" he cried in one
climax II committed a fault. l should
myself have acted, but, absorbed by
public affairs, l failed to realize the
ravages Calmette's calumnies had
made on the soul of my wife,
The trial has entered upon its polit-
zeal 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.
His Private Life
He would, he said, tell the jury 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 incident Of
the two letters, he supposed had been
destroyed at the time of his divorce
from his first wife. When he married
Madame Rayouards he knew for the
first time what true happiness was
When he spoke of her, Madame Gail
laux blushed crimson and bowed her
head in her hands and sobbed silently
She was a most tender, affection
ate wife" said NJ. 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 Doumergue's cabi-
net The income tax, she said, had
formidable adversaries, and l would
be the object of fierce nrepress cam
paigns. AS she foretold the attacks
recommended with re-doubled fury,
but I refused to adopt the means en-
/. 5loyed by other politicians to stop
the6s. could not believe that any one
would nn5}jsh the Thy Joe letters, al
though I hal been warned
In January 1914, NJ. Caillaux had a
conversation with jean Barthou, who
said Your wife (hrst .wifen is very
bitter against you. You made great
mistake in writing those letters.
After the publication of the ny
Joe" letter NJ. Caillaux's first VIE
telephoned him to clear herself of any.
suspicion he might have had that she
was responsible for it's divulgence.
Becomes Indignant
NJ. Caillaux worked himself up to a
violent fit of indignation as he de-
nounced the calumnies against his hon
esty. Never have l touched a single
stock of my personal fortune while
minister of finance" he declared.
Returning to the Thy Joe" letter,
he described the effect of it's publica-
ton on his wife. Finally, she became
so impregnated with her fears that
other letters would be published thta
he consulted President Poincare that
the President did his best to reassure
him and advised him to consult a
lawyer.
MY lawyer told me-" continued NJ,
CaillauX, that nothing could be done.
l then said to my wife: Be assured. 1
will so and smash Calmettes snout
myself After that l felt relieved in
mind, but my wife, on the other hand,
was depressed.
Hooted and Jeered
When he resumed the stand he en-
tered upon the purely political phase of
his deposition. The excitement of the
listeners reached fever heat. Some of
his statements were mixed with boots
and cheers
The campaign started by the Figaro
VI. Caillaux said, was meant to strike
him down at any cost because he stood
for the income tax and the interests be-
hind the Figaro hated that measure. He
had. he said, been accused of criminal
provication in the Rochelle affair and of
treason in connection with the Franco
German treaty. To this he REPLIED
I'VE are simple bourgeois, we have no
coronet, but we will defend our honor
and our honesty. The postponement of
the Rochelle case was step for which |
/ would not hesitate to take the RESPONSE |
bility even today"
OF the Franco German crisis in 1911 NJ T
Caillaux said he could prove the absolute T
correctness of his conduct throughout F
that period
Il am obliged to speak now of CAL I
mette," said M. Caillaux but with the I
deepest emotion. If by allowing him to
cover me with mud l could recall him to
life l would do so at once, but 1 am /
bound to defend my honor.
My parents left me 100000 francs. 1 /
have now 100000
Scene of Excitement
NJ Caillaux asked to be confronted with
Louis Latzarus, one of the members of
the Figaro staff who had previously
testified that CaImatte had told him Ia