CATALANS’ TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 9

CATALANS’ TRIAL

ALLEGED PLOT AGAINST SPAIN DRAMATIC OPENING IN PARIS GARIBALDI’S ADMISSIONS By Telegraph —Press association Copyright. (Rec. January 21, 7.10 p.m.) Paris, January 20. The trial of Garibaldi, Marcia, and sixteen Catalans opened dramatically. The proceedings commenced by each prisoner reading a statement. Garibaldi, xvearing the scarlet rosette of the Legion of Honour in his buttonhole, denied that he betrayed the Catalans, and accused Macia of inaccurately explaining the plot. Immediately a storm broke out, Macia indignantlx’ repudiating the allegation. His counsel, AL Torres, denounced Garibaldi as both an Italian and a Spanish agent. Garibaldi bellowed a denial, and M. Torres retorted by reading Garibaldi’s statements to the police. Counsel added: “Perhaps a Garibaldi, xvho is a member of the Legion gf' Honour, does not sign documents confessing the receipt of Judas’s thirty pieces of silver.” Garibaldi admitted that he had signed the statements after thirty hours’ examination, oxving to fatigue. Torres: “You, a soldier, admit that fatigue caused you to break down. Be a man!” The Court became a scene of tumult, the Judge ordering a short suspension. After the proceedings were resumed, Benoit, Secret Police Commissioner, made a statement that he had a favourable report regarding the Catalans, but Garibaldi xvas an Italian agent provocateur, and had admitted that he received 600,000 lire from the Italian police. Garibaldi shouted: “Nevertheless, I am no traitor.” The hearing w’as adjourned. PARTISAN DISPLAYS SUPPRESSED (Rec. January 21, 9.55 p.m.) London, January 21. The "Daily News’ ” Paris correspondent says a big force of police was employed to suppress partisan displays at the’Garibaldi trial. Lawyers representing the Catalans 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 had betrayed four million antiFascists living ill France, who regarded him as their god ; Macia in denouncing Garibaldi, emphasised the Catalan’s love for. France. The Judge interjected: “Did you think of the trouble you would cause when you prepared a plot on French soil?” , , Macia retorted: “Eleven thousand Catalans fell at Verdun. That is my answer.”—Sydney “Sun” Cable.