M. Labori.—“When M. Casimir-Perier was president of the republic, did he know, prior to the arrest of a staff officer, that this officer was suspected of treason, and did he know the charges against him?”
The Judge.—“The question will not be put.”
M. Labori.—“Did M. Casimir-Perier know at any time that there was a secret document in the war department relating either to the Dreyfus case or to the Esterhazy case?”
The Judge.—“Let the Dreyfus case alone; let us have nothing to say about it. Can you answer, M. Casimir-Perier, in regard to the Esterhazy case?”
M. Casimir-Perier.—“I did not know, while I was president of the republic, that there were any Esterhazy papers.”
M. Labori.—“Was M. Casimir-Perier aware that at a certain moment a secret document was laid before the council of war in the Dreyfus case, outside of the proceedings of the trial and without the knowledge of the accused?”
The Judge.—“The question will not be put.”
M. Zola.—“Is it understood, then, that no attention is to be paid to the word ‘illegality’ contained in the sentence complained of? You do not take that into consideration? Then why was it included in the summons?”
The Judge.—“On that point the court has rendered a decree.”
M. Zola.—“As a man, I bow to that decree, but my reason does not bow. I do not comprehend your limitation of the defence to certain matters indicated in the complaint, in the light of your refusal to hear evidence regarding this word ‘illegality’ that also appears therein.”