BIG TRIAL OPENS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 15

BIG TRIAL OPENS.

CATALONIAN AFFAIR

"JUDAS'S THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER." •

(Br CABLE—MESS ASSOCIATION'— CGPTP.IGfII.) (ALSTRALIA.V AKD S.Z. CIBLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received January 21st. 7.10. p.m.)

PARIS, January 20. The trial of Ricciotti Garibaldi, Colonel Macia, and sixteen Catalonians opened dramatically. The proceedings commenced by eaeh prisoner reading a statement. Garibaldi, wearing the scarlet rosette of the Legion of Honour in his buttonhole, denied that ho betrayed i the Catalonians. and accused Colonel • Macia of inaccurately explaining the plot, ! Immediately a storm broke out. Colonel Macia indignantly repudiated the allegation. His counsel, Signer Tories, denounced Garibaldi as botti an Italian and a Spanish agent; Garibaldi bellowed a denial, and Signor Torres retorted by reading Garibaldi's statements to the police counsel. He added, "Perhaps a Garibaldi who is a member of the Legion of Honour does not sign documents 'jonfessing the receipt of Judas'.s thirtypieces of silver.'' Garibaldi admitted that he had signed after, thirty hours' examination, owing to fatigue. Signor Torres: You. a soldier, admit th;it fatigue caused you to break down. Go a man. The Court became a scene of tumult, the Judge ordering a short suspension. After the proceedings resumed, Benoit, a secret police commissioner, made a statetuent that he had a favourable report regarding the Catalonians; but that Garibaldi was an Italian agent provocateur, and had admitted that he received GOO,OOO lire from the Italian

police. I Garibaldi. shouted: Nevertheless, 1 am no traitor. ; The hearing was adjourned. [A number of persons of various nationalities, including llicciotti Garibaldi, grandson of the Liberator, and Colonel Macia, was arrested at Perpignan. They had planned to assemble at Estagel Bataille and Millas, whence they were to take the train to Villa Franche, where they would be directed across the frontier. On arrival m Spain they were to launch a revolutionary movement. Colonel Macia admitted to the police the whole responsibility for organising the Catalonian expedition.] GARIBALDI DENOUNCED. (Sydset "Sex" Service.) (Received January 21st, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, January 21. The "Daily News'.' Paris correspondent says that a big force of police was employed to suppress partisan displays at the Garibaldi trial. Lawyers representing the Catnlonians appealed to the Judge to prevent the ignominy of their sitting beside the arch-traitor Garibaldi. M. Thaon, representing Rizzoli, an' Italian Socialist, accused of participation in the plotting, declared that ; Garibaldi" betrayed 4,000,000 anti-Fas-cists living in. France, who regarded him as their god. Colonel Macia, in denouncing ■ Garibaldi, emphasised the Catalonians' love for France.

The Judge interjected: Did you think of the trouble you would cause when you prepared the plot on French spijl? , . .

Colonel Macia retorted: Eleven thousand Catalonians fell at Verdun. That is my answer.