The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-23
CAILLAUX LOSES
IMMUNITY; ASKS
TRAITOR TRIAL
Chamber of Deputies by
Vote of All to 2 Fixes Ex.
Prenlier's Status.
DENIES HE AIDED ENEMY
Deputy LOustalOt Likewise
Faces Penalty if Convicted
of Treason.

PARIS. Dec. GA resolution was
adopted In the Chamber Of Deputies to-
day depriving former Premier Joseph
Caillaux of parliamentary immunity In
the accusations against him for alleged
reasonable dealings with the enemy.
The vote on the resolution was AZ to 2.
A similar resolution In regard TO Deputy
Louis Loustalot was adopted with a
show of hands by the Chamber.
The galleries to the chamber were
filled long before <the hearing opened.
Occupants sat in animated conversation
looking down upon the empty floor Of
the House. where the seats Of dozen
members were covered with wreaths and
flowers in homer of their former occu-
pants. who had fallen in the war. AL
most all the other seats were occupied
when President Deschaners bell rang
and NJ. Paisant, for the investigating
committee, rose to explain its findings
He asked the Deputies to attend with
due respect the impending discussion at
a moment critical to the nation.
NJ. CaillauX entered a; this juncture.
carrying a bundle of letters and docu-
ments. Deputy Loustalot was next
heard. reading a brief declaration in a
tremulous voice. expressing his indigna-
ton at being accused OF completely in
reasonable transactions. NJ. Caillaux
then rose.
II will reply to the accusations of
which | am the object he said. with
as much reserve and as much selfcon-
troll as possible
Denies Betrayal Of France.
II am not accused OF be:raying my
country for money. No. But for am
blt!on." the former Premier continued.
And then declared with emphasis ::
Never have tried, directly or indir-
ectly. to come into contact with our
enemies. Never have ! used subter-
ranean paths TO succeed in foreign
policy.
Il have always 10 the full measure
OF my powers served my country. The
only reproach any one could make to
me Is that have been too reserved"
The Chamber listened in absolute sill
enCe while NJ. CaillauN reviewed his
various relationships which nave been
regarded by his accusers as suspicious
TIC utuitu HhNihS se'it hoip
abroad or that he had anything to do
with Bolos seeking OF funds in the
United States to buy the Journal.
As for the Bornct Rouge. that was n
political affair. he asserted. and then
entered into further explanations in re-
gard to the Foreign Office documents
bearing on his visit to Rome. The eX-
Premier said
THAT was altogether a question Of
policy. One must remember that certain
of our Ambassadors frequent circles OF
high aristocracy, and all high aristoc-
racies are not entirely on the side OF the
Allies
He Charges Persecution.
NJ. Caillaux declared he had been
isolated during the war and had been
the object Of persecution. and that the
present action was the result OF a con-
spiracy among persons that were op.
posed to his policy before the war and
afraid he would continue it after the
war. 1t was not true, he asserted. that
he had favored an alliance with Ger
many before the war. His policy was to
reclaim Alsace-Iorraine. he said. but also
to follow a policy OF concliation in
Europe.
1T IL permitted that one may think
with President Wilson, the former Pre-
mier remarked, upon the formula OF
peace without annexatlons and without
penalizing indemnities and with the right
of the peoples to dispose OF themselves.
''One has right also to think about
the military solution and about the Dip
lomatic solution" NJ. Caillaux added,
and u possibly was more apparent that
Continued on Second Paoe.