M. Labori.—“Is M. Demange familiar with the fac-simile that was published in ‘Le Matin’?”
M. Demange.—“I should say so. As soon as I saw it, forgetting that I had no longer the photograph in my hands, I said to myself: ‘Very likely it will be charged that I gave this to “Le Matin”.’”
M. Labori.—“Then there was a resemblance between this fac-simile and the bordereau?”
M. Demange.—“A striking resemblance. You have not the original, then?”
M. Labori.—“No, but we should very much like to have it. Is M. Demange aware that General de Pellieux has declared that between the fac-simile and the original there is no resemblance? What does M. Demange think of that?”
M. Demange.—“I think that two honest men can differ in opinion.”
Testimony of M. Ranc.
The next witness called was M. Ranc, member of the senate. He testified as follows:
“M. Zola’s good faith is complete and absolute. I know, Monsieur le Président, that you would not allow me to speak of the violation of the law and of the right of defence committed in the trial of 1894 by the non-communication to the defence of a secret document. I will simply say, then, Monsieur le Président, that M. Zola was legitimately surprised by the way in which the second trial was conducted, by its mere pretence of an examination, or what seemed such to many people, and which certainly was the merest phantom of a contradictory discussion, since the complainant was not represented, since there was no confrontation of experts with experts, and since, after a reading of the indictment, which was really a plea in favor of the accused, they ordered closed doors so far as the testimony of Colonel Picquart and the handwriting-experts was concerned. That alone, in my judgment, is enough to explain and to justify the feeling of generous indignation which prompted M. Zola. He is after truth and justice, and what he has done is, in my eyes, the act of a man of heart and great courage.”