_Testimony of M. Casimir-Perier._
The next witness was M. Casimir-Perier, ex-president of the republic.
The Judge.--“You are M. Casimir-Perier, former president of the
republic. Of course you are neither the relative or an ally of the
accused, and they are not in your service. Will you raise your right
hand?”
M. Casimir-Perier.--“_Monsieur le Président_, before taking the oath, I
ask your permission to reiterate the declaration that I made yesterday
in writing.”
The Judge.--“Yes, but, before making your declaration, it is necessary
to take the oath.”
M. Casimir-Perier.--“I cannot tell the whole truth; it is my duty not
to tell it.”
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.”
The Judge.--“There can be no testimony against the thing judged. That
was repeated in today’s decree.”
M. Labori.--“We offer no testimony against the authority of the thing
judged.”
The Judge.--“It is the same thing.”