Evening star., 1943-01-31
Nine. CaiNaux, Figure
International 1914
Trial, Dies al 68
Ex-Premier's Wife Killed
Editor Campaigning
Against Husband
B, the Associated Press.


LONDON, Jan. 30.-The Paris
radio today reported the death
of Nine. Joseph Caillaux, wife of
the former French Premier, who
figured in a national sensation in
1914 when she killed the editor
of the newspaper lie Figaro,
which was campaigning against
her husband.
Nine. Caillaux, 6S. died in Sarthe
Department. the radio said.
She created a four months SEN
sation when she killed CASTOR Cal
mette March Is. 1914, for publish
ing certain letters in his newspaper
campaign against Caillaux.
The shooting precipitated politi-
cal crisis, and Nine. Caillaux be-
came heroine of Paris Other
women in st. Lazare prison were
once reported threatening to mutiny
in protest against special favors
allegedly shown Nine. Caillaux in
prison.
Was Meladramatic Case.
BY the time her case came to
trial in July, 1914, almost every con-
ceivable element of a movie court
room melodrama had entered the
affair, including hints of diplomatic
repercussions. death threats
against jurors, mysterious women
and mysterious letters, and chal-
lenge to duel
Nine. Caillaux was acquitted July
% by jury which deliberated SO
minutes, and the defendant added
the last dramatic flip by kissing
her lawyer.
Some called the acquittal scan
dalous, but the was side-tracked
popular interest and the furor died
down.
Joseph Caillaux. famed in French
annals for his financial and ad-
ministrative ability, was Minister
of Finance when his wife stilled the
bitter pen of CASTOR Calmette with
gunfire.
At her trial. in a dramatic ap-
pearance on the stand. Nine. Call
lauX cited 1873 written attacks on
her husband in defense of the kill
ing, laying particular emphasis on
M. Calmette's charge that NJ Call
laux. who earlier had headed the
government. had secretly ceded a
portion of the French Congo to
Germany. Intimate letters which
had passed between M. Caillaux
and his wife before their marriage
also figured in the trial. Both had
previously been married.
M. Caillaux was forced to resign
from the cabinet as the result o1
the affair. but at the outbreak o1
the World War, he was appointed
paymaster general to the forces
and some months later was en-
trusted with an economic mission to
South America.
Civic Rights Suspended.
During his absence. he was ac-
cused of desiring a premature peace
and caballing in secret against the
Government, and although he pro-
claimed his innocence. the opposi-
ton led by Georges Clemenceau
later brought about suspension OF
M. Caillaux's parliamentary i'm
munity. Eventually in 1920, he was
brought before the Senate sitting
as the High Court of Justice and
indicted for plotting against the
security of the state abroad"
His civic rights were suspended
for 10 years and he was directed
to remain for five years in a zone
to be indicated by the government
but amnesty passed by the National
Assembly in 1924 restored political
and civic rights.
In 1925 M. Caillaux was brought
into the Painleve cabinet in the
hope that he would be able to re-
store some order to French finances
but political pressure forced him out
Again in June, 1926, the govern
ment looked to M. Csillaux for help
and once more, as minister of f.
nance, he sought to effect financial
reforms, but again failed as the
cabinet fell.