New-York tribune., 1919-03-30
The Trial

L terday l was told to be ready for z
a. m. German time is kept here. | was up
at $3.50, so to get ready without hurry.
Seven struck from the belfry of st. Giles
and breakfast did not come. What could
do to curb my impatiencc? Read by the
light of my candle in the dim light? l
tried physical exercise, but that was not
good enough. I had to find occupation. r
arranged all my things as if l were going
away. Where to? l did not know, but after
the sentence which was to be passed on
Saturday should certainly have to make a
move.
Hurry up with your breakfast" said the
gaoler, bringing my coffee and bread. I
hurried all the more because ! did not
know-when should be allowed to eat again,
and as I ate / thought of my family. From
the very beginning l had the conviction
shat / should come out safe and sound,
after the conclusion of peace. This hope
was unquenchable, but it was the only thing
certain. Until then, was at the mercy Of
my gaolers.
I was called and in the hall joined
group of accused. Two by two, surrounded
by helmeted and armed soldiers, we went
to the entrance, where motor buses were
waiting. On the way the gaolers stood
at attention and saluted. All this suggested
the firing squad and we felt inclined to
nervous laughter. One bus was full and
went off. We were called by name and, in
order, got into the second motor. Two
soldiers guarded u.s. We shook hands and
introduced ourselves. Four soldiers got
in last and the police officer said as we
went off, mo talking, please" We went
down Avenue Ducpetiaux. The curtains
were not drawn close enough to prevent
seeing the passersby l looked right
and left, in case l should have the luck
to see some one / knew. Under cover of
the noise we began to talk. "To think"
said long, thin man, whose face seemed
all gray beard, "that I am in prison for
over two months simply as witness" OPP
posite me a man and his wife were holding
each other close. l recognized Nine c.,
who seemed all the time on the point of
fainting. She saw me and smiled as if she
were dying. Then we passed Rue Royale.
"My God, l am frightened" said woman
Of about forty. She had the feverish and
half joyful expression of person expect
ing a tragic at theatre. The bus
stopped, and as the woman repeated, Good
God, how frightened l am I asked her
what she had done. "l lodged some Eng
lishmen.' Nothing else?" mo- "Then
don't be frightened, you will not be shot,
"Sure?' "Quite sure, and in these days
that is all that matters, isn't it?" "That's
true" she returned, and got out looking
calmer. Two by two went in silence
through the passages of the Parliament
House to the Senate Hall. On my right
was little woman In deep mourning. We
found about thirty other accused already
sitting on the seats of the Senators, nearly
all working class folk, and a few soldiers
scattered among them. We shown
to our places Soon after eight more pris-
oners arrived, guarded by soldier.
The Princess
"Cheer up" whispered Nine. C. to D., the
chemist, "you are not among those destined
for heavy punishment" "That does not
mean anything" he returned, and one could
guess that he was more and more despair
ing. At last young woman in heavy
black veil came forward with an attendant
also dressed in black. "Sit here, Princess"
said the police officer, in respectful tone
In front of the long judges table
A good-lookng officer with an intelligent
and brisk manner walked in and laid on
it volumnous dossier and his helmet. He
the military prosecutor, whom our
fate depended. With high coloring black
hair and waxed mustache, he looked round
the room in an assured, almost happy man
ner, like a knight before tournament in
which he expects to shine. A compact
group Of civilians was let in, among whom
! saw with joy friend who, however,
+nr 1nr Ft,1 1No bat
carefully for some one, evidently for me,
and at last was able to catch his eye. The
little fat man with him, in light over
coat, must be my counsel Then some
officers arrived and discussion took place.
after which the civilians were sent away.
My friend, who, being a lawyer, had hoped
to attend, made gesture Of disappoint-
ment, but only the counsel who could plead
in German were allowed to remain. The
sitting began. The accused were called
and the counsel stated for whom they
were pleading. l was able to salute my
defender, NJ. Dorff. Then we were sent
away, only Miss Cavell remaining.
In the passages the police officer mar
shalled us in such a way that we could
not speak to each other. He behaved az if
we were all his friends, going from one
to another: "Whero is Louise land the
fat Godfrey?" The latter was Partisan
by birth but had lived in Brussels since
he was ten. In spite Of this, he seemed
TO have come straight out Of cafe Of
Montmartrc, or the Bastiic. Little and
quick, he had the accent. the manner and
the typical livclness of the people OF those
quarters.
One of the German employees of the cx-
nmincr, tired OF standing, came and sat by