TUMULTUOUS SCENES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 January 1927, Page 5

TUMULTUOUS SCENES

GARIBALDI ON TRIAL. CHARGES OF BETRAYAL. A DRAMATIC OPENING. 3Y CABLE—PRESa ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT PARIS, Jan. 20. The trial of Garibaldi, Macia and sixteen Catalans opened dramatically. The proceedings commenced by each prisoner reading a statement. Garibaldi, wearing 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 indignantly repudiating the allegation. His counsel, M. 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, ’who is a member of the -Legion of Honour, does not sign documents confessing the receipt. of Judas’ thirty pieces of silver. ” - Garibaldi admitted that he signed the document, after thirty hours’ examination, owing: to fatigue. _ M. Torres: “You, a soldier, admit that fatigue caused you to break down! Be a man. ” The Court then became a scene ot tumult, the Judge ordering a short suspension. After the proceedings resumed, Beniot, a secret police commissioner, made a statement that he had a favourable report regarding the Catalans, but Garibaldi was am 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 was adjourned.. PARIS, Jan. 21. The Daily News’ Paris correspondent. says a big- force of police was employed to suppress the partisan displays at the Garibaldi trial. The lawyers representing the Catalans appealed to the Judge to prevent the ignominy of their sitting because of the arch traitor Garibaldi. M. Thaon. representing Rizzoli, .an Italian Socialist accused of participation in the plotting, declared that Garibaldi betrayed four million antiFascists living in France, who regarded him as their God. Macia, in denouncing Garibaldi, emphasised the Catalans’ love for France. The Judge interjected: “Did you think of the trouble you would cause W'hen you prepared the plot on French soil?’’ Macia retorted: “Eleven thousand Catalans fell at Verdun; that is my ansxver. ’ ’