3-085-905 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Trial of M. Zola: M. Zola, 1898. 'The "honour of the army" continued to be the almost unvarying formula put forward by the witnesses for the prosecution of M. Zola...The proceedings in court reached a culminating pitch of interest when M. Zola delivered, or rather read, his address in defence. "I affirm," he cried, "that the army is dishonoured by those who mingle cries of Vive l'Armée! with those of A bas les Juifs and Vive Esterhazy!"...The populace of Paris, against Zola from the beginning, got more and more impatient with his defenders as the day of judgment drew on...Even inside the Court, and during the closing speech of M. Labori, there were interrupting cries of "Death to the Jews!"...It was in the midst of hubbub that the jury retired, but their return was made amid a silence as of death. The foreman rose, his hand upon his heart, and in clear tones announced the verdict of "Guilty" against Zola and his publisher on all counts. Shouts of triumph went up in Court - "Vive l'Armée!" "Vive la France!" "A bas Zola!" That last cry provoked a retort from the condemned man: "You are cannibals!" Then the Court pronounced judgment: a year's imprisonment and a fine of three thousand francs.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.