Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-18
DRAMATIC TEnSENESs
MARKS CA|LLAUX CAS-:
Former Premier OF France Expected
to Solve Riddle That Puzzles
for Thrco Years.
SMILES AT INDI.CTME y T
Expects to Make Statement Friday to
Prove That His Dealings With
Enemy Were Actuatcd by Patriotic
Motives
SMILES AT INDICTNIEN
ny c. T.. nERTELLI.

PARIS. Feb. 11.-Confronted by his
peers assembled as high court Of
Justice in the French Senate, today
Joseph CaillauX, cX-Premier of France
husband OF the woman who did not
hesitate to commit murder for love OF
him, had nothing Of the detected ap.
pearance of 4 man whose life depends
upon his ability to clear himself OF
the charge OF treason. On the con-
trary, he appeared as one thoroughly
sure of himself and ready to take ur
the treason debate on the floor of the
Senate in a spirit of equality with the
men appointed by the nation to judge
him.
Dramatic tenseness marked the
opening of the trial. the outcome OF
which is TO solve the three years riddle
that has been puzzling the. statesmen
OF all Europe. whether this former
Premier. universally conceded to be
one of the kecnest brains of the CON
.inept. in IT. ala ala or did nos betray his coun:
wars graphic for life or death.
Smiles ut Indictment.
Certain passages OF the Indictment
called "a a sardonic smile to Caillauxs
entirely detached attitude was criti-
cized by his political enemies as "bluT''
while his friends chose to characterize
, 1t as proof Of u clear conscience.
The trial which will probably last
! until June. is expected TO provoke a
bitter political controversy especially
in view of the present economic situa-
tion. Caillaux is expected to make
much capital OF this situation in dc
,shTe Mi, e. his advSesey Of an
lcEcd---aftcr tho war.
CniiiauN is charged with having en-
an,nsered the security OF the state ny
lead TO premature peace, contrary
70 the interests of the country, He s
sssEnssssd ssEs I, to max make A great speech soi
IEwill fully> develop his own theory and
attempt to prove that his policy though
It may be disapproved by the present
French government, was actuated by
patriotic motives
10 Cite State of Chnos.
He will contend. it is understood,
.nat 1t Is purely a matter OF opinion
better projected by an entente with
England THAN by. going hand in hand
Win Win Germany. This contention he will
tending to show that the present pol
itica! confusion and economic chaos
are are far from the glowing results thai
had been promised the French people
as tho outcome OF n peace concluded
according 10 the dictates os those who
'aTTred Thc scnmar, war to t" the The h bitter. end.
@! many, forms the most terrible in
dictment against the cx-Prcmier is as
sai,ed by mis- partisans as containing
nothing that can he construed as
tangible proof OF treason. 1t is based
on:
1. Upon private notes in Cail1aux's
handwriting discovered in n safe de-
post vault at Florence, Italy, and in
winch he outlined 4 scheme by which
ne would resume Office on a platform
OF immediate peace with Germany. His
plan was to become virtual dictator
OF France by means of coup d'etnt.
Cable Messages Are Found.
:. Cpon cable messages from tho Ger.
man minister at Buenos Ayres. ArCcn
Una, sent TO Berlin through Coun;
Johann Heinrich Won Bcrnstorff. These
messages are said 10 tell of CailIaux,s
relations with Herr Lipscher, n Hun
Sarian. during the war, and with Ger
man emissarics. To the latter he is
said to have given the impression tha
ne was ready to negotiate peace will,
tiermany and to foster n Franco-t;cr-
man entente.
). Upon Caillauxs acquaintance with
many suspected men in France ItaIv
ana the United States, including Count
Al!notto, husband of the daughter of q
mliitonaire packer of Chicago.
4: Upon CaillauN's alleged declaration
scnting France as exhausted and ready
10 make peace on a basis OF the evacua-
tlon hE Germany OF Belgium and the
invaded French areas, against terri
terial and other compensation To Ger
many frOm Russia