The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-03-23

LII France was deeply stirred
~ by the loss OF the Alma. The
intelligence offices were
stormed by the relatives and
friends OF the officers and crew, MI
hoping again& hope for some news
that might cut down the death list.
But, as days went by, it became APP
parent that hundreds of men had
persisted Among those who had re-
ported alive were Capt De Corlaix,
Lieut.. BrambourE and lie Due, the
common sailor and servant to Lieut..
D'Artelle.
Naval procedure made an inquiry
into the disaster necessary. The fact
that the ships Captain, even though
he be badly wounded, had escaped
with his life called for "a hearing
with him as the central figure. Cap
tains are presumed to exercise every
caution to avoid sea holocausts.
Those negligent in this respect need
expect nothing but death, n case
they are proved guilty. And SO it
came to pass that Capt. De CorlaN
was up for trial for his life.
The hearing was held in the Han
Of the Naval Tribunal at Toulon. 4
motley crowd of curious people gath
cred there to hear the testimony
such crowd as might be expected
at a murder trial. Easily sWayCd
and emotional, it was necessary 20
have marines present to MAINTAIN
order, and, as usual, at the dooc was
stationed a gendarme.
Vice Admiral Folgat was President
OF the Tribunal, and among others
seated in judgment were Rear Ad-
miral Challemont, Rear Admiral De
! Lutzcn and two others of the same
rank. Commander MObraye prose-
cuted for the Government, and capt.
lie L'E.stissac had been manned to de-
fcnd Capt. DE COrlaix.
When all Was in readiness the VICE
| Admiral told the clerk to call the &C
cused. 1900,
Captain De La Croix De Corlaix! y
called the clerk. The gendarme at
! the door repeated it and then LETT the
| room. There was no response \
moments later the gendarme returned
and, amid a buzz Of anticipation
whispered to the clerk.
Captain De Corlaix is not here'
announced the clerk.
! was the Captain notlhed oil Inc
exact timer" demanded Mobraye.
Yes, sir"
Most discourteous, it seems! was
the comment of Rear Admiral Chal-
lemont. At this point De Il Estlssac
arose. ,.,
gence for my friend, Captain De COR
! laix?" he said. THE defendant has
been very ill--in fact, at deaths door
| with this in mind it would be cruel
not to give him Il few minutes
tFVs
Before the President Of the T1-
bunal could reply the gendarme an
nounced the arrival Of the defendant.
De Corlaix came in, supported by
LIE Due. The Captains left arm was
in a sling, his face pale and his con-
dition generally indicating weakness.
A cane lent him support, Painfully he
went inside the rail, facing the court,
lie Due took "A seat on the bench in
tended for witnesses.
Captain, you've kept us waiting
'"HGentlemen!" And the defendant
placed his hand on the chair for sup
you may sit down, Captain" came
from FNolgat
II would rather stand, sir" replied
the Captain, smiling After all, there
is no reason why a mans manner
shouldn't be sound, even If hiN body
is a bit broken. I'm very sorry fhave
kept the court waitng-an unpar-
donable offense under ordinary cir
cumstances, but this morning | left
my room for the first time since my
misfortune. For days, / understand,
| have been delirious. This morning,
also for the first time, was permitted
10 see my dear wife, whom | had not
seen since she left my ship just before
the disaster. To tell the truth. gen
tlemen. 1 was so glad to be with heI