M. Clemenceau.—“Then I ask a legal declaration to that effect from the court.”
The Judge.—“The court grants you a legal declaration of anything you like.”
M. Clemenceau.—“Oh! Monsieur le Président, it seems to me that you are going a little fast. My question to the witness involves the principal point in this case. The court will not put it. Under these circumstances I must offer a motion asking acknowledgment that in the presence of the accusation against M. Zola” ...
The Judge.—“The accusation concerning the Esterhazy case.”
M. Labori.—“I did not say that. I asked the court to put to M. Salle the following question: Does M. Salle know of a serious fact concerning the accusation against M. Zola that may be useful to him from the standpoint of morality and good faith?”
The Judge [to the witness].—“Do you know of anything in the Esterhazy case which” ...
M. Labori.—“I ask that the question be put in the terms in which I framed it.”
The Judge.—“You have no right to ask indirect questions in order to reach an end which you should not reach.”
M. Labori.—“Monsieur le Président, I use no indirect methods.”
The Judge.—“I ask your pardon.”