CONTINENTAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1153, 17 May 1870, Page 3

CONTINENTAL.

FRANCE. Totms, March 23. The High Court of Justice opened this morning. Witnesses were examined to prove that Fouville said Noir had slapped the Prince in the face. The lawyers for the prosecution dwelt with effect on some grave contradictions in the testimony. A number of police testified to the remarks made by Fouville after the arrest. One of the prosecuting lawyers created a sensation by declaring that the original report of the police in the case was not to be found, but only a copy, dated ten days later, could be produced. One witness swore that he heard Fouville exclaim, "If the pistol had not missed fire I would have shot the Prince." This had an effect on the spectators, who were evidently inclined to lean toward the Prince. The witnesses for the prosecution was then examined. M. Arnold testified that Victor Noir had no intention to attack the accused when he went to his house. When Rochefort was called, as a witness for the prosecution, there was much agitation among the spectators at the mention of his name. Rochefort entered the Court accompanied by two soldiers, and took his place in the witnesses' stands. He was pale, but very calm, and replied quietly to the interrogatories. After repeating the letter sent him by the accused, which occasioned the visit of Noir and Fouville, he retired to the bench reserved for journalists. Many shook hands with him as he took his seat. The wife of Louis Noir, the brother of Victor, was called, aud testified ; she was much agitated ; she said that Victor Noir could not have slapped the Prince, because the gloves on his hands were found intact. Other witnesses corroborated the statement of Arnold, that Noir did not intend to quarrel with the Prince. M, Morrel testified that the witnesses who now swear to Fouville's admission that he slapped the Prince did not say so at first. March 24. In the Bonaparte trial the witnesses for the defence were examined to show the previous bad character of Noir and Fouville, and the good character of the accused. The testimony on the first point was not convincing. Other witnesses were brought to prove the good conduct of the Prince. While one of the lawyers for the prosecution was conducting the cross-examination, he used an expression offensive to the Prince, who violently interrupted the proceedings ; turning to the lawyer he denounced him and his party as the faction. Fouville was terribly excited, and called the Prince an assassin. This caused great confusion among the spectators in the Court. Fouville was forcibly taken away by the gens d'armes. Proeureur-General demands the punishment of Fouville. The Court decided to postpone the consideration of the matter till the end of the sitting. Flaquet then commenced the argument for the prosecution, aud reviewed the lives of Noir, Fouville, and the Prince ; he pointed out the differences in their character, and dwelt on the reputation of the Prince as a man of violence ; he asserted that he was known to have killed four men, and related how he left the military service without permission in 1849, for which Louis Napoleon dismissed him from the army. At this point the Prince became greatly excited, and exclaimed that there was a plot to aggravate him. He was severely reprimanded by the Court for interrupting the counsel. At the conclusion of the argument for the prosecution, Fouville was brought in, and the presiding Judge sentenced him to ten days' confinement for contempt of Court. March 25. In the High Court of Justice to-day, M. Flouvet, for the prosecution, concluded his speech. M. Laurie, also for the prosecution, followed with an argument which occupied the entire remainder of the session. He compared Victor Noir with Prince Bonaparte, aud described the latter in terms of slashing severity. The agitation of the accused at times became uncontrollable, aud caused him to interrupt angrily. In reply to counsel, the Court imperatively insisted that Laurie should address persons less bitterly. This was applauded by the audience, who gave signs of favoring the Prince. In bis concluding speech, Lanrie made some political allusions which were received with marked disapproval by the spectators, March 27. Prince Bonaparte has been acquitted. A strong appeal was made by the ProeureurGeneral for a verdict of guilty, with extenuating circumstances. The jury were out only an hour. As soon as the verdict was announced, the counsel for the partie civil demanded a thousand francs (?) damages. Consequent upon this demand the Prince was not released from custody. He was exceedingly indignant because not al-

lowed to leave the court-room immediately. He said that he wished to show that he was not afraid of the menaces made against him, Paris, April sL": La Presse announces that Prince Pierre Bonaparte has gone to America, and that his family are sent to Switzerland. Others say the Prince has not left France, but soon *»v- ':..•'."•■ ,; " A son of President Juarez, of Mexico, is expected here soon. ... The strike among the iron operatives at La Creuzet continues. Yesterday- the rioters became riotous, and every effort was made to provoke a collision with the troopa stationed there to preserve' order. Thp rioters attacked them and pelted them with stones, and only the forbearance of the offi» cers prevented conflict. The disorders at La Creuzefc are increasing. . Additional troops haH been sent there. Aprils. A parliamentary crisis is imminent. The Emperor desires to submit the new order of things to a vote of the people, and the Ministers are hot willing to permit a dis? cussion on the Senatus Consultum by the Corps Legislatif. Nothing definite on these points is known now, but declarations from the Cabinet are expected. At the opening of the Chambers to-mbr-r row, it is reported that Ollivier will ask for a vote of confidence ; if this is refused he will resign. . The journals this evening publish telegrams from La Creuzet, affirming that the troubles there are kept alive by contributions of money from other countries. ! Prince Pierre Bonaparte is still in prison. It is said he will go to Belgium.