necessary is the suppression of the freedom of the jury during the
trial. There is a curious disregard of rules and regulations during the
details of a big criminal trial in France. There are witnesses who, in
response to the judge’s remark after he has asked the witness to swear
to tell the truth without fear and without hatred, and to state name,
address, and age, in response to the three words “Make your deposition”
which give the witness a free head, behave just like racehorses when
the starting gate goes up. Lawyer witnesses particularly have been
known to make long speeches for the defence or for the prosecution on
the plea of giving evidence, and there are many other similar abuses.
It often happens, too, that evidence which the examining magistrate has
collected is never sifted at the trial itself. When the trial is over,
when the Public Prosecutor, the counsel for the defence, and, if the
prisoner has anything to say, the prisoner, have addressed the court,
the jury retires to consider the verdict. There is something oddly,
picturesquely, emphatic and impressive in the mechanism of this
retirement.
Somehow or another the French have a peculiar knack of stage-managing
anything and everything. No visitor on his first visit to Paris fails
to remark the wonderful stage-management (I suppose I ought to call
it landscape gardening) of the city. Look at the Tuileries Gardens
when dusk is just closing in towards the end of a fine day. The whole
place breathes the history of the last days of the Empire, and has the
gentle melancholy of a Turner picture. Stop in the Avenue des Champs
Elysées where the Avenue Nicholas II. intersects it. Look up the
Avenue and down it. The Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde,
which, when it ceased to be the Place Royale, held the scaffold of a
king of France. Look out across the Seine, then turn and look behind
you. The bridge which is named after a murdered Czar of Russia and the
Invalides beyond it. Behind you the Palace of the Elysée, the home of
the President of the third Republic, facing Napoleon’s Tomb. At every
turn in Paris, north, east, west, or south, you get signs of this
half-unconscious national gift of staging effects.
The jury in a criminal trial in Paris does not, as a London jury does,
melt into disappearance before the final verdict. There are a few
solemn words from the judge, there is a rustle as the lawyers gather up
papers and sit back, and then fourteen very ordinary, very weary good
men and true, whose faces we had only seen in profile until then, rise
in their places. Their white and tired faces shine suddenly a pasty
yellow in the electric lamplight. The good men of the jury show us
their backs and walk slowly behind the desk of the Public Prosecutor to
a little door which we had not noticed till then, and which has just
been opened. Through this freshly opened door we stare across the court
up a flight of narrow stairs with red and grey carpets on them. The
verdict will come, presently, down that flight of narrow stairs. The
small door closes, and we wait.
As a rule a big criminal trial finishes late in the evening. Everybody
is sick of it. For the sake of the prisoner, for the sake of the judge,
for the sake of the jury, for the sake of the lawyers, for the sake of
the public, every one wants to get it over. Nobody wants yet another
adjournment. So it is usually at night that one sits and waits for the
verdict in a big Paris criminal trial, and although I have seen exactly
the same scene, and endured exactly the same sensations many times, the
scene has never lost its dramatic force, and the sensations are always
new. A sense of relief comes first. We have seen the prisoner, in a
state of semi-collapse as a rule, going out through the door of the
dock to the room behind it, where, on this last evening of the trial,
the prisoner is allowed to wait for the verdict which is to be rendered
before her return. We feel the relief that one feels when the fighting
is over, mingled with suspense and with pity for the wretched creature
who is waiting and is wondering. We realize that we are hungry, and
rush off to get a little food. We dare not stay to eat it, and return
with it to court again. The appearance of the court-room has changed
during the few minutes of our scamper to the buffet down below for
sandwiches. We have brought them back with us, and other people are
munching food, too, in the dust, the heat, the squalor of this room
from which the majesty of justice has departed with the red robed
tribunal, the jury, and the prisoner. There is a hubbub of excited talk
and much discussion. Municipal guards forget to keep order and chat
with us and with the barristers of the probabilities and possibilities
of the verdict. Every now and then there is a hubbub of excitement and
a sudden deathly stillness. The little door, beyond which we can see
those red and grey carpeted stairs, has opened. The jury are returning!
No, it is a false alarm. They are not quite clear on some formal point
or other, and they have sent for the judge. After one or more of these
alarms, suddenly, when nobody has expected it, the little door opens
and remains open. The jury really are returning this time. We see them
walk slowly down those narrow red and grey stairs, and file slowly into
the box. Their faces tell us nothing, but we all try to read them. The
presiding judge and his two assistant judges walk slowly in and take
their seats, at the long table. On their right, the red robed Public
Prosecutor who has followed them, stands at his desk, on their left
the lawyers for the defence stand in their seats in front of the empty
dock. The stillness which was broken for a moment while the court came
in becomes something tangible, something quite painful now. It has
a quality of the sensation one feels in a diving bell. Our eardrums
tingle with it. Then the judge’s voice breaks the strain. “There must
be not the least noise,” he says. “I will allow no demonstration of any
kind, whatever the verdict may be.” Somebody laughs, and is hushed down
with indignant sibilance. We know that there will be a demonstration
whatever the judge may say. There has never yet been a French trial
without one.
“Mr. Foreman of the Jury,” says the judge, “Be kind enough to let
us know the result of your deliberations.” If possible the silence
becomes greater yet. Then: “On my honour and on my conscience,” says
the foreman of the jury “before God and before men, the answer is ...
to all questions.” And pandemonium breaks forth. The answer to the
questions has to be “Yes” or “No”. The jury may not amplify it. They
will be asked, in the trial of Madame Caillaux, to decide whether
there was murder, whether there was murder with premeditation or
without it. They will be asked to state whether there are extenuating
circumstances, or whether there are none. On these answers, on this
simple “Yes” or “No” depends the fate of the prisoner. We see the
judge’s mouth open and shut, we see his hand rise and fall, but we have
heard no sound of his voice in the hubbub which the declaration of
the verdict has let loose. Then there is silence again. The judge has
ordered the prisoner to be brought in. The verdict is told her, and the
sentence, if there is a sentence, is rendered.
This is the way in which the curtain will fall on the last act of the
Caillaux Drama. Will it be a final curtain? And what will the jury’s
answer be to the questions which will be put to them? That, no man can
answer now. Madame Caillaux may of course be acquitted, though public
opinion in Paris considers this exceedingly unlikely. She may be found
guilty of murder with premeditation. The sentence decreed by the Code
for this is death, and nobody believes in or anticipates the likelihood
of such a verdict. If the verdict be “Murder without premeditation,” if
the jury finds extenuating circumstances, the Code decrees a minimum
of five years, either hard labour or confinement in a prison, and a
maximum of ten years. There is also the possibility that a sentence may
be passed of hard labour or imprisonment for life.
And beyond the verdict, beyond the sentence, what will the future of
this woman and her husband be? That no man can answer either, but we
all know that whatever happens, whatever the court decides, those shots
from a revolver in the office of the _Figaro_ on the afternoon of March
16, 1914, will never cease to echo in the lives of Joseph and Henriette
Caillaux.
And in the echo, lurks the tragic essence of the Caillaux drama.
THE END
INDEX
Agadir
M. Calmette asked not to publish telegrams, 96
M. Clemenceau and the Barthou Cabinet, 103
M. Caillaux open to criticism, 106
M. Calmette’s series of articles, 130
History of Agadir, 150
_Panther_ and _Berlin_ arrive, 165
M. Caillaux’s telegram, 166
Lord Morley in the _Times_, 168
Treaty, 259
Algeciras, Act of
The right of France to police Morocco, 151, 154
Alphonse de Neuville, Rue
Home of Madame Caillaux, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20
Aratra Mines
Company floated by M. Rochette, 210
Asquith
“extremely difficult” situation, 168
Auteuil
Home of M. Schneider, Boulevard Beauséjour, 121
Avenue d’Antin
Sale-rooms of Gastinne-Renette, 18
Banque, Franco-Espagnole
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184, 200, 207
Banque Perrier
M. Calmette calls M. Caillaux to account for heavy fine, 130
Baring Bros., London Bankers
concerned in Prieu affair, 118
Barrès
took part in debate in Chamber of Deputies, 42
Barthou, Minister of Justice
produced and read statement, 33, 96, 179
takes part in debate in Chamber of Deputies, 42
conversation with Mme. Gueydan and with M. Caillaux, 97
defeated by Clemenceau faction, 103
opposition to M. Caillaux, 104
comment on Bourse operation, 137
M. Fabre’s statement received from M. Briand, 242
Baxter, Miss, Mme. Caillaux’s English governess
letter for M. Caillaux, 289
Belgian Congo
Railway from German Cameroons, 164, 174
opinion in Great Britain and Belgium, 168
Bernard-Maurice, M. Rochette’s lawyer
statement by M. Fabre, 35, 38, 39, 232
represented M. Caillaux in divorce proceedings, 83, 181
M. Poincaré’s evidence, 83, 84, 85
M. Monis’ remarks, 181
charges of illegality made, 206
postponement of trial, 237, 238
threatened M. Fabre, 247
Bernstein, Henry, Jewish play-writer
play produced by Comédie Française, 65
Berr, Examining Magistrate
preparing Rochette case, 199
letter from M. Rochette, 200
M. Rochette’s complaint, 217
Bidault de L’Isle, Judge
question by M. Delahaye, 30
evidence before Commission of Inquiry, 31, 32
statement by M. Fabre, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40
pressure brought on him by M. Monis and M. Caillaux, 140, 240
contradictions in evidence, 228
evidence at Chamber of Correctional Appeal, 237, 238
Blanc, Examiner of M. Rochette’s books
M. Rochette’s trial a foregone conclusion, 218
Bloch-Laroque, friend of M. Fabre
statement by M. Fabre, 35, 39
conversation with M. Fabre on M. Bernard, 247
Boileau, Member of Prieu Syndicate
letters in the _Figaro_, 123
Boucard, Examining Magistrate
Madame Caillaux’s evidence, 18, 19, 20, 21, 286, 287
_Action Française_, 69
M. Caillaux and evidence of others, 80
evidence of M. Caillaux, 86, 87, 90, 93, 95
_re_ Prieu affair, 118
Madame Caillaux’s request, 277
Bourget, Paul
novelist and friend of M. Calmette, 6, 21
Briand, Minister of Justice in Monis Cabinet
received M. Fabre’s declaration, 32
statement handed to M. Barthou, 33
took part in debate in Chamber of Deputies, 42
favours Clemenceau party, 103
founded Federation of the Left, 104
Prime Minister, 153
resignation, 155
Monis Cabinet and desire to break away, 159
M. Caillaux’s epigram, 159, 163
interview with M. de Selves, _re_ “green document,” 173
handed M. Fabre’s statement to M. Barthou, 242
Buisson Hella
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184, 207
Caillaux, Eugène Alexandre, Inspector of Finance and Minister of State
father of M. Joseph Caillaux, 87
Calmette, Madame
divorce proceedings, 94
Cambon, Jules, French Ambassador in Berlin
troops to Fez, 164
reply of von Kiderlen Waechter, 165
M. de Selve’s request, 167
questions German Foreign Minister, 170
Cambon, Paul
instructions in relation to British Government, 166, 167
telegram from Berlin, 171
Cameroon
Franco-German understanding, 158, 159, 160, 167
Carpin, Police Commissioner
received journalists, 10, 11
no means of stopping _Figaro_ campaign, 13
Cassel, Sir Ernest
influence on behalf of M. Spitzer, 128
negotiations with Herr von Gwinner, 170
Ceccaldi
mentioned in M. Caillaux’s evidence, 100
charges of corruption, 126
member of second Commission, 193
Chauchard, Founder of Magasins du Louvre
legacy to M. Calmette, 95
Chaussée d’ Antin, Rue de la
situation of office of M. Gaudrion, 196
Claretie, Leo
first husband of Madame Caillaux, 286
Claretie, Madame Leo, second wife of M. Caillaux
became Madame Caillaux, 88, 90
Clemenceau
supporter of M. Pams, 102
against M. Barthou and his Cabinet, 103
general adviser, 104
letter published by M. Calmette, 135
head of Government, 152
out of office, 153
M. Caillaux and impeachment for high treason, 169
interview with M. de Selves, 173
discussion in the Chamber, 175-177
accused of moral complicity with M. Rochette, 191
initiates action in Rochette case, 193, 194
accusation of proceeding illegally, 206
evidence before Commission of Inquiry, 209, 212
Government not protecting M. Rochette, 226
Cochery
Finance Minister, 1909, 115
Compagnie Transatlantique
quarrel with South Atlantic Company and _Figaro’s_ accusation, 129
Congo
Franco-German understanding, 152, 155, 158, 159, 160, 167
convention with Germany, 163
M. Waechter’s answer to M. Cambon, 165
Germany’s demands, 168, 171
Conty, Director of Political Affairs in Foreign Office and now
French Minister at Pekin
Franco-German understanding in Congo, 158, 160
Corbeil
home of M. Pichereau, 196
Crédit Minier
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184, 201, 207, 218, 219, 222
Cruppi
Franco-German understanding in Congo, 158, 163
D’Ariste, Heir of M. Prieu
made over his rights to Syndicate, 119
Darracq
backed by M. Rochette, 220
Delahaye, Member of the Opposition
placed motion before the House, 27
declared M. Calmette intended to publish letter, 29
addressed question to M. Monis, 30
Prime Minister replies, 32
Desbons
Counsel for Madame Vitz, 75
Desclaux, chef de Cabinet de M. Caillaux
Madame Gueydan’s offer to journalist, 91, 92, 93
De Selves, Minister for Foreign Affairs
resignation of, 108
visit to Holland, 165
M. Caillaux’s instructions in opposition to his opinion, 166
returns from Holland and asks for explanation of agreement, 167
negotiations without his knowledge, 169, 176
telegram from Berlin to German Embassy in Paris, 171
the “green document,” 172
causes excitement, 174
speech before Senate in Committee, 175
D’Estournelles de Constant, friend of M. Caillaux
canvass for M. Caillaux, 257
Doumergue, Prime Minister
M. Caillaux telephones his resignation, 23
Cabinet Council, 24
speech of M. Delahaye, 27
speech in Chamber of Deputies, 32
challenged to a duel, 42
improbability of re-election, 43
M. Caillaux endeavouring to maintain Ministry, 107
M. Renoult, Minister of the Interior, 115
Doyen, Dr., surgeon
his opinion as to M. Calmette’s treatment, 277
Drouot, Rue
office of the _Figaro_, 2, 3, 4, 43
Du Mesnil, managing editor of the _Rappel_
statement by M. Fabre, 35, 39
Dupré, Jules
first husband of Madame Gueydan, 88, 95
Durand, Yves, chef de Cabinet de M. Lépine
sent for by M. Lépine, 194
ordered to find plaintiff, 194, 195
visits M. Gaudrion, 196, 198
sent to M. Monier, 197
accused of speculating, 199, 206
called as witness before Commission, 207
acquitted by M. Lépine of all dishonourable action, 208
Duret, M. Rochette’s Private Secretary
his evidence, 223
Fabre, Victor, Procureur Général
M. Calmette and letter, 26, 138
M. Delahaye’s question, 30
declaration carried by M. Calmette, 31
statement produced, 33
“deplorable abuse of influence,” 41
Madame Gueydan read letter, 97
story of pressure put upon him, 140
position at Aix, 180
evidence before Parliamentary Commission, 231, 232
cross-questioned, 234
statements _re_ Rochette case, 235-247
Fallières, President of the French Republic
Franco-German understanding in Congo, 158
warning at Cabinet Council, 160
visit to Tunis, 163
Faubourg Montmartre, Rue du
police-station, 3, 9, 12, 23, 44
Fez
French troops to be sent, 163, 164, 165
Fontainebleau
M. Rochette’s early life, 183
Fonvielle, Antoine de, lawyer Prieu Syndicate
letter to M. Calmette, 120, 122
Forichon, Presiding Judge in Court of Appeal
hears M. Poincaré’s evidence on oath, 81
François-Poncet
statement by M. Fabre, 36, 40
Fresnes
Modern prison, 46, 47
Gabon
Germany’s demands, 168
Gaillard, Doctor
Dentist of Madame Caillaux, 14
Gastinne-Renette
Armourer, 18, 19, 283
Gaudrion, a banker connected with Rochette case
willing to prosecute M. Rochette, 196
visited by M. Durand, 198
dealings in shares in M. Rochette’s Companies, 204
supplies a prosecutor in his stead, 225
German Cameroons
railway to Belgian Congo, 164, 174
Grange Batélière, Rue de la
other entrance to police station, 12
Grey, Sir Edward
refers to Belgian Congo, 168
Gueydan, Madame, first wife of M. Caillaux
divorced wife of M. Dupré, 88
letters burned, 89, 92
evidence before examining magistrate, 90, 91
read letters to M. Barthou, 97
M. Privat-Deschanel and burning of letters, 101, 129
“Ton Jo” letter, 146, 147
Guillemard, Madeleine
wrote in defence of letters, 86
Guiot, representative of bondholders of Moroccan Debt
visited German Foreign Office, 153
provisional agreement, 154
Gwinner, of the Deutsche Bank
negotiations, 170
Hartmann
owner of hospital, 4
Herbaux, new Procureur Général
probable prosecutor, 180
Homberg, André, Director of Société Générale
called on M. Caillaux, 129
_Figaro’s_ accusation, 130
Hotel Ritz
Madame Caillaux’s engagement for tea, 16, 20
Hottinguer and Co.
concerned in Prieu affair, 118
Humbert
notorious female prisoner, 12, 44
“Intermède Comique—Ton Jo”
Headline in _Figaro_, 98
Italian Embassy
Dinner-party, 13, 17, 23, 24
Jaurès
President Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, 31, 41, 180
took part in debate in Chamber of Deputies, 42
Rochette affair, 141, 206, 238
tells committee the history of the Rochette case, 224-228
letter summoning M. Monis to Commission of Inquiry, 235
Jeanne
Soubrette in attendance on Madame Caillaux, 50, 51
Kissingen
French Ambassador’s conversation with German Secretary of State, 165
Lancken
first mention of Belgian Congo, 169
Lavedan
play-writer, 65
Laviana
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184, 207
Lebon, François, editor of _L’Œuvre_
attack on M. Caillaux and French Parliament, 125
Le Mans
letters sent to M. Caillaux “poste restante,” 286
Léonide, Sister, Chief Superintendent of prison nuns
description of, 47
“Bostock,” 48
duties in St. Lazare, 60, 62
Lépine, Prefect of Police
received orders to inquire into Rochette case, 194, 212, 226
previously urged authorities to take action, 195
sent M. Durand to M. Monier, 197
evidence before Commission of Inquiry, 197, 208, 210
opinion of M. Rochette, 209
Lloyd George
opinion on Congo question, 168
Luquet, Permanent Official in Ministry of Finance
intermediary between Government and Société Générale, 128
superseded and succeeded by M. Privat-Deschanel, 129
Malvy, Minister of Commerce
accompanies M. Caillaux, 12
sent to M. Caillaux to induce him to reconsider resignation, 24
appointed Minister Home Affairs, 25
Mamers
M. Caillaux’s constituency, 19, 88, 112, 132, 256, 257, 259, 260
Manchon Hella
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184, 185, 207
M. Pichereau’s investments, 197, 198
Mannesmann Brothers
claims and concessions, 163
Mascuraud Committee
association of parliamentarians and commercial men, 126
Mazars
letter in _Figaro_ from M. Prosper Sauvage, 123
Messimy, Colonial Minister in Monis Cabinet
instructed to declare Franco-German understanding impossible, 160
Michel, Louise
notorious prisoner, cell No. 12, 44
Millerand, Socialist, 255
Milliés-Lacroix, French Colonial Minister
interview with M. Pichon, 153
Mines de Liat
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184, 207
Mogador
telegram from M. Caillaux, 166
Moinier, General
troops at his disposal, 164
Monier, Procureur de la République?
president of the Civil Court, 13, 14
consulted by Madame Caillaux, 81, 99
interviewed by M. Durand, 197, 198
documents accusing M. Rochette, 207
Monis, Prime Minister and Minister of Marine
accusation against, 29
questioned by M. Delahaye and reply, 30
statement by M. Fabre, 33, 37, 138
resignation from Cabinet, 40
Minister of Marine, 104
article by M. Calmette, 139
brought pressure to bear on M. Fabre and Judge Bidault de L’Isle, 140
elected Prime Minister, 155
Cabinet defeated, 165
examination by Parliamentary Commission, 179, 180, 234-237
conversation in regard to trial of Rochette, 181, 182
M. Caillaux advises postponement of trial, 213
order for postponement of trial, 243, 245
Monniot
letter in _Figaro_ from M. Prosper Sauvage, 123, 124
Monquin, Head of Research Department, Paris Police
sent for by M. Lépine, 194
Morand, Albert, Artist of St. Lazare
honoured in Carnavalet Museum, 47
drawings in this volume, 47
Morley, Lord
letter in the _Times_, 168
Morocco
interests of France, 151, 152, 156
serious trouble, 160, 161, 163, 169
M. Caillaux’s telegram, 166
German Cabinet and the crisis, 171
Moroccan Company of Public Works
formed after approval of provisional agreement, 154
Mortier, Pierre, Editor of _Gil Blas_
would not use letters, 93
Neuilly
private hospital at, 3
N’Goko Tanga
charges of corruption by M. Ceccaldi, 126
offered to give up a portion of territory, 154
question in Parliament, 155
convention with Germany, 163
M. Caillaux explains failure of negotiations, 174
Pams, Rival of M. Poincaré
non-election resented by M. Clemenceau, 102
Paral Mexico
Company floated by M. Rochette, 184
Paris Omnibus Co.
M. Rochette endeavouring to get concession, 220
Pau
M. Caillaux founded Radical united party, 104
Paul, Dr. Chas., Medical Officer of Health
report of the autopsy after M. Calmette’s death, 283
Péret, Raoul
appointed Minister of Commerce, 25
Perrier, Minister of Justice (Monis Cabinet)
M. Calmette’s article, 139
Philippeau, Robert
reported conversation heard in Paris Tube, 284, 285
Pichereau, connected with M. Rochette’s enterprises
introduced by M. Gaudrion, 196
accusation against M. Rochette signed, 198
formal charge made, 199
M. Rochette in letter to examining magistrate, 201, 202
claim against M. Rochette, 202
documents in M. Rochette’s desk, 203
M. Rochette takes legal action, 205
prosecutor in M. Gaudrion’s stead, 225
Pichon
South American Bank Loan refused, 134
Foreign Minister, 152, 153
convention with Germany, 163
Pierre Charron, Rue
M. Caillaux’s house, 89
Pierre de Fouquières of the Protocol, 13
Place Beauvau
situation of Home Office, 194
Poincaré, President of the French Republic
hears of the tragedy, 24
signs decrees, 25
evidence on oath, 79, 80, 81, 86
conversation with M. Caillaux, 82
election to Presidency and M. Clemenceau, 102, 103
M. Calmette in the _Figaro_, 108
Prime Minister, 140
Poirier, Henri, intimate friend of M. Spitzer
M. Calmette’s comment on Finance Minister’s resignation, 133
Potsdam Agreement
soothed Russian fears, 165
Prestat, father of Madame Calmette
chairman of _Figaro_ Co., 94
Prevet, Managing Director _Le Petit Journal_
M. Rochette’s attack, 187, 191
realizes effects of M. Rochette’s tactics, 189, 190
told M. Durand M. Gaudrion would prosecute, 196
M. Durand complains he has been misled, 199
_Petit Journal_ and shareholders, 214, 215
Prieu, French merchant living in Brazil
M. Caillaux accused by _Figaro_, 106
misspelled “Priou,” 114
heirs claim concessions, 115, 116
difficulty of settlement, 117
claim on Government, 118, 119
M. de Fonvielle’s letter, 120
M. Schneider pressed claims, 121
members of Prieu Syndicate, 123
article in _L’Œuvre_, 125
Privat-Deschanel, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance
letters burned, 89
M. Boucard’s call, 90
evidence of, 101
successor to M. Luquet in Ministry of Finance, 129
Rabier, one of M. Rochette’s lawyers
received large sums, 220
Raynouard
maiden name of Madame Caillaux, 88
Renoult, René, Member of Cabinet
appointed Minister of Finance in M. Caillaux’s stead, 25
Under Secretary for Finance, 1909, 115
lawyer of one of M. Rochette’s Companies, 220
Reymond, Doctor
present with Calmette, 3, 7
Richepin, Jean
quotation, 297