Without passing upon the motion of M. Cabanes, the court then rendered an adverse decision on M. Labori’s motion for the introduction of evidence concerning all the charges preferred by M. Zola, claiming that they were not indivisibly connected with the matter on trial.
The time having arrived for the calling of the witnesses, the court announced that it had received letters from several of them, in explanation of their absence.
The Judge.—“I have a letter from the keeper of the seals, saying that the minister of war, General Billot, has not been authorized to respond to the summons. M. Labori and M. Clemenceau, do you forego this witness’s evidence?”
M. Labori.—“In regard to him we make a reservation.”
The Judge.—“Here is a letter from General Gonse. He asks to be heard among the first, because of his service.”
M. Labori.—“We shall be able to hear General Gonse among the first. It was our intention to do so. But, in spite of our great desire to hear him, we cannot take his personal convenience into consideration.”
The Attorney-General.—“Nor his service?”
M. Labori.—“Nor his service.”
The Judge.—“Here is a letter from Major d’Ormescheville, declaring that, having been the reporter for the council of war, he does not believe it his duty to respond to the summons.”
M. Labori.—“I make a reservation, as in the case of General Billot.”