New-York tribune., 1920-02-21
C.aillaux Denies
Treason Guilt:
Explains Acts
Declares He Championed a
Policy of European Con-
ciliation," Not Closer Re-
lations With Germany
Minotto's Name Involved
l.. f. Swift's Son-in-Law De-
clared Zone of Agents
Who Infested His Trail'

PARIS, Feb. 20-That he had never
championed a policy OF closer rela-
tions with Germany, but one Of "Eu-
ropean conciliation," and might have
been guilty Of imprudence and impul-
siveness, but never of impartng in
telligence to the enemy, proved to be
the opening defense Of Joseph Caillaux,
former Premier, charged with treason
able dealings with the enemy, on the
resumption of his trial to-day before
the Senate, sitting as High Court.
The examination of NJ. CaillauX COW
cred his trip TO South America late in
1914 and early in 1915. The name Of
James Minotto, son-in-law of Louis +.
Swift, of Chicago, and who was interned
in the United States as an alien enemy
in 1918, was incessantly mentioned
throughout the interrogations of Leon
Bourgeois, President of the Senate, who
presided over the court. NJ. Caillaux,
in reply to the questions of NJ. Bour-
geois, claimed to have been fooled by
Mlnotte, as numerous others had been
He said he had every reason
to believe Minotto was respectable, as
he had been vouched for by many prom
inent Frenchmen. He declared he was
introduced to Minotto by Edwin V.
Morgan, the American Ambassador at
Rio de Janciro.
Addresses Court as ''My Colleagues"
NJ Caillaux stood the long and trying
ordeal we'll, holding himself we'll under
control At the beginning of his ex-
animation he seemed ready to burst out
fnf1 sAl1 t,r
every word with q movement OF both
hands. He gradually became more at
ease and acted more as he did when,
as Minister of Finance, he formerly
addressed the Senate on the passage
of some important bill from seat near
the one he occupied to-day.
Once, IN explaining some incident,
NJ. Caillaux said: "My colleagues will
understand"--. He flushed, hesitated,
members of the High Court will un-
derstand.'
The roll call of witnesses caused the
first clash between the defense and
the prosecution when Theodore Les
couve, procurator of the republic, in
formed the court that the Italian wit
nesses would be summoned through
diplomatic channel. NJ. Moutet, of
council for VI. CaillauX, asked whether
d,
subppnaed by the defense and whom
the Swiss government has refused per-
mission to appear, would be asked to
come 10 Paris through the French rep
resentative at Berne.
Says Agents Infested His Trail
NJ Caillaux disposed of Minotto by
saying he was one of the numerous
agents who infested his trail while in
South America, the German Minister at
Rio de Janeiro, fearing the result of
M Caillaux's efforts having requested
Berlin to place 100000 marks at his
disposal to have NJ Caillaux shadowed
continually.
NJ. Caillaux then tempted to broaden
the debate. He launched forth into
discourse on his external policies be-
fore the war, but NJ. Bourgeois asked
him to contine himself to facts, answer
ing the questions put to him. This is
not political meeting; this is court
of justice" said Mr.. Bourgeois.
Experts will tell you ! have not
profited by this war; am poorer man
now than l was in 1914" declared NJ.
CaillauX, after reading a letter from
Edmundo de Olivera, who was charged
by the Brazilian Ministry Of Foreign
Affairs to accompany NJ. CaillauX
throughout his visit to Brazil. In the
letter de Olivera stated that M. Gail
laux had always been a great patriot
and hoped for the final victory of
France
A letter from Jean Jules Jusserand,
French Ambassador to the United
States, was read at the afternoons ses-
sion, asking that he be excused from
appearing personally, but that instead
his deposition be read. To this M. Gail
laux's counsel did not object When
similar request was made on behalf of
Alexandra Comfy, French Ambassador
to Brazil, however, objection was made
on the ground of the Importance of NJ
Conty's evidence.
The trial will continue on Tuesday
next when M. Caillaux's relations with
the Mannheim banker. Marx, will be
eXnlained by the accused