THE PARIS MURDER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 145, 25 July 1914, Page 9

THE PARIS MURDER.

MME. CAILLAUX'S TRIAL.

INTEREST AT ITS HEIGHT.

INTRIGUE AND DIVORCE.

FORMER WIFE GIVES EVIDENCE

By Cable. — Press Association.—-Copyright.

PARIS, July 23. Interest in the trial reached its height with the appearance of Madame Gueydan, M. Caillaux's first wife. She bitterly recounted M. Caillaux's liaison ■with his present wife, and said that he . abjectly humiliated himself to such an extent that she consoled him. Even in his tears he never spoke the truth. Bhe obtained the letters from prisoner .'s drawer. When she told M. Caillaux she expected him to kill her. Madame Gueydan bitterly recounted how accused stole her husband from her. She maintained that the letters contained nothing in regard to politics, and nothing of public interest, or justifying fear of publication which would drive Madame Caillaux to interview M. Calmette. Witness refused MM. Chenu's and Labori's appeal to deliver up photographs and letters, but later on handed the' letters to the judge. The spec- ''• tatbrs cheered her action.

AN ABLE ADVOCATE.

NOVELS AND REAL LIFE.

A SCENE IN COURT.

(Received July 25, 9.5 a.m.)

PARIS, July 24

A feature of Mine. Caillaux's trial is the outstanding genius of Maitre Labori, whose skill in conducting the defence equals that which he displayed in the Dreyfus trial. M. Paul Bourget, the poet and novelist, defended his dead friend's conduct in revealing the skeleton in the Caillaux's cupboard. M. Labori quoted one' of M. Bourgot's novels, in which the characters condemn the publication of the heroine's love letters.

M. Labori impressed the Court, and pointing out M. Bourget's striving to condone what his novel represented as a despicable.act. M. Calmette's brother-in-law, the chairman of the "Figaro" Company, denied piecemeal all M. Caillaux's charges that German finances dominated the "Figaro" during the Moroccan crisis.

M.Caillaux indicated-that he wished to hear the witness better.

M. Chenu, the barrister, representing the "Figaro," remarked: "It ill becomes M. Caillaux to endeavour to defile the grave his wife has made*'' M. Caillaux jumped to his feet and asked M. Chenu if he would take the responsibility for his words. The lawyer replied: "I will take entire responsibility. You cannot menace me here. \ You doubtless do not know the temper of the man you address."