STORMY SCENES IN COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 January 1927, Page 9

STORMY SCENES IN COURT.

Trial Opens Sensationally.

CATALAN PLOTTERS ARRAIGNED. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 21, 7.30 p.m.) PARIS, January 20. The trial of Garibaldi, Macia, and sixteen Catalans, opened dramatically. The proceedings were commenced by each prisoner reading a statement. Garibaldi, wearing the scarlet rosette of the Legion of Honour in bis buttonhole, denied that lie betrayed the Catalans, and accused Macia of inaccurately explaining the plot. Immediately a storm broko out, Macia indignantly repudiating the allegation. His counsel (Torres) denounced Garibaldi as both an Italian and a Spanish agent. Garibaldi bellowed a denial, and Torres retorted by reading Garibaldi’s statements to the police. Counsel added: “Perhaps a Garibaldi, who is a membor of the Legion of Honour, does not sign documents confessing the receipt of Judas’s thirty pieces of silver.”

Garibaldi admitted he signed, after thirty hours’ examination, owing to fatigue.

Torres retorted: “You, a soldie», admit that fatigue caused you to break down?—Be a man!” Tho Court became the scene of tumult, the Judge ordering a short suspension.

After the proceedings had resumed, Beniot (Secret Police Commissioner,made a statement that he had a favourable report regarding the Catalans, but Garibaldi was an ItMi-.n provocateur, and had admitted tlmf hc received 600.000 lire from the Italian police. Garibaldi shouted: “Nevertheless, I am no traitor.” The hearing was adjourned.

“THAT’S MY ANSWER.” ANGRY INCIDENTS OF THE TRIAL By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 21, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 21. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily News” says that a big force of police was employed to suppress partisian displays at the Garibaldi trial.

. Lawyers, representing tho Catalan.-, appealed to the Judge to prevent the ignominy of their sitting beside tho arcli-traitor, Garibaldi. Tharn, representing Rizzoli, an Italian socialist, accused of participation in 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 when you prepared the plot on French soil?”

Macia retorted: “Eleven thousand Catalans fell at Verdun—That is my answer!”