"FIGARO MURDER TRIAL"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2209, 23 July 1914, Page 7

"FIGARO MURDER TRIAL"

' COURT SCENES' MADAME CAILLAUX TELLS HER LIFE STORY By Meirraplt—press AESOciation-Copyrlriil "Times" and Sydney "Sun!" Services.. Paris,' July 21. Thero is a tremendous tumult, round tho Palace of Justice in connection with the trial of Madame Caillaux for tlie murder of M. Calmotte. Tho President's table is littered with articles used during tho .commission of the 'crime, including tho revolver and clothes of the victim. Municipal guards and police are everywhere. Numbers of detectives, dressed as barristers, sat with members of the-Bar. There are 140 journalists' present. Madame Caillaux, stylishly dressed, ai)d Hushed with excitement, looked 1 a dignified figure of suffering. She replied to the questions of the Judge in a low, weary voice. Every now and again her eyes sought, her husband' in the well of tho Court, and she frequently buret into tears as she told the story of lior life, ending in the "Figaro" campaign, which, was implacable. In ninety-five days tho paper published13S articles and caricatures attacking her husband, for using dishonourable means to achieve personal aims. -. M. Bourget, the novelist, in giving evidence, said he believed that M 7 Oatmotto did not intend to publish Madame Caillaux's letters. He believed ho saw her in order to assure Jier that her name _ would not be brought ante the campaign.

M. CAILLAUX IN THE WITNESSBOX. . "I SHALL KILL HIM.". ' (Rec. July 22, 11.10 p.m.) Paris, July 22. Members of the "Figaro's" staff gavo evidence t)iat Madame Caillanx was absolutely calm and collected after the tragedy. Tho accused followed the evidence closely, and .interposed: "Every woman did not carry her feelings in her face." She suffered extreme, emotion after the, deed, and expressed the ■'. sincere hope that M. Calmetto was not dead. President Poincare's y testimony was taken mi commission, and was read. President Poincaro related M. Caillivux' apprehension on the morning of the crime, lest the "Figaro" should publish more letters. M. Caillaux declared: "If Calmetto publishes these I shall kill him." President Poincare promised to exert his influence against tho publication of anything derogatary to Madame Caillaux. ..■''.'" M. Caillaux, in his 'evidenco, spoke in tho highest terms of his wifo (who sobbed).' Tho witness know he was being sharply attacked by the "Figaro," but was stupefied when it published "Thy Jo" letter. Both h and his wife woro convinced that tho publication of intimate letters was imminent; After finding it impossible to obtain legal satisfaction, ho told his wife ho intended to smash Calmette's nU'g.' He now recognised that the. violent ' expression may havo decided his wife's act. He blamed himself for it. -.'■ He claimed that he had acted in tho Moroccan negotiations with the highest desire to servo France. '.••'' ,M. Labori • has. threatened to relinqiiisli the defence" unless'the.'Goyernnint declared that tho diplomatic documents found in M. Calmette's ' possession, and handed to President Poincare after Calmette's death, ; did : not lofloct upon M. Caillaux' honour. ''