The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-29
RIBOT WILL NOT FIGHT.
DECLINES 10 MEET "a. "a AyDRrEJEx
on THE FIELD or HOS0R.
Another Very Valuable Piece of Evidences
In Connection With the Panama
scandal Uneartied.


drieux to draw Premier Ribot into duel
has failed. and it is not considered likely
that NJ. Andrieux viii resort TO violence,
as was first intimated. There Is no dis
guising the fact that al. Andrieux has
gained much admiration by boldness and
success of his course. There is no doubt
that the government intended to order his
arrest on the charge OF treason, the
arrest to be effected suddenly and to strike
terror to the plotters for the overthrow o.
the administration. M. AndrIeux check
mated that scheme by boldly proclaining
the governments intentions and purposes
as claimed to silence him ~ the task OF
exposing the Panama frauds by commit
ting him 10 a dungeon. lie dlSo pro-
claimed that he had made sure of the
security of the evidence in his posses
sion or under his conrci, so that the
purpose of the government would be
defeated. This, it is reported, made the
ministry hesitate in their purpose OF
arresting Nj. Andrieux without having
clear and unanswerable evidence.
TO establish a case against him the
ministry feared that the public would
interpret a hasty arrest, without positive
evidence to sustain it, as proof that the
statements of NJ. Andrieux as TO the
motives of the government We're true,
and this would mean the ruin Of tAe
cabinet.
When NJ Andrieux arose Monday morn
ing. still at liberty and Tithout the
threatened order having bctn executed.
he determined on a still bolder move, and
that was TO give M. Ribot the choice be-
tween a duel or the retraction OF the
words in which he had accused Andrieux
Of endeavoring TO excite disorder and
virtually of being an instigator of in
surrection
M. Andrieux sent q challenge to NJ.
RibOt on the ground stated. The Premier
replied, through his secretary, that his
utterances had not gOne beyond legitl-
mate public criticism. M. Andrieux, not
satisfied with this reply sent two friends
to the Premier to demand satisfaction.
The friends represented that M. Andrieux
considered NJ. Ribot's words as implying
that NJ. Andrieux was guilty of criminal
and ignoble act, and was seeking in an
illegitimate manner TO arouse disorder
and bloodshed NJ. Andrieux, therefore,
Insisted that they declare on such salts
faction as duel would rive
Ribct replied quietly that he had moth
ing to add to the explanation already given
through his secretary, except that he con-
sidered that the explanation ought to
have dissipated any doubts of Andrieux's
10 the sense in which the words which
Andrieux considered offensive had been
used. Ribot did not speak apologetically,
nor did he offer any retractlOn or even
propose to mitigate or extenuate the
meaning OF what had been said He de-
clined at the same time TO discuss the
matter any further.
NJ. AndrieJx now states In letter to
the newspapers that M. Ribots words
could be taken as equivocal. NJ Andrieux
ADDS: "They are not acceptable 10 me,
but thank my friends for the measures
they have taken toward dissipating doubts
as to what NJ RibOt meant The incl
dent is considered ended. It is not under
stood that the Government has aDan-
doned it's purpose TO make arrests, al
though none have as yet been announced.
The Figaro states that book containing
copies of letters has been found in the
Office Of the Panama Canal Company,
which compromises a large number or
senator's and deputies The book in ques-
tion contains copies Of correspondence
with Herr and Arton relating TO the sale
Of votes i'm the Senate and Chamber or
Deputies I'm behalf Of the Panama canal
schemes There are letters demanding
money together with dates on Whicn
payments were made. The book in ques-
tion is one of the most valuable pieces or
evidence that has yet fallen into the
hands Of the Government. ana VIII De
made the basis OF additional prosecutions
II establishes beyond doubt that Herr
was not a mere baclmailer. but was an
active eo-between in the corruption or
legislators. having apparently been
treated with implicit confidence by Baron
Rainach and others.
The extreme Socialists are now taking
an active part i'm the Panama confusion.
Allemane. Guesde and other leaders called
a union of all factions of the party with
Il view 20 common action. 1he meeting
was attended by great excitement some
speakers denOunclng the efforts ol the
reactiOnists to take advantage OF the
troubles OF the Republic in order 10 re-
establish an empire or monarchy, ana
others urging that prompt action De taNeh
IN overthrow the Burgcoise and establish
a genuine popular Government. 4 mo'loh
uos offered 10 the effect that the people
should be summoned 10 the Paiais Bour-
hon on the day that the chambers again
reassembled and that an appeal should
be pushed to the army not to take arms
against the people.
several sneakers denounced the motion
ae untimelv and likely to injure the popu-
lar cause bv rallying the Burgeoise 10 the
s,,rnort of the Government. This action
an tine part Of the Extremists does not
cause any serious anxiety to the Govern
ment
Reinnch Dir1 From Natural Causes.
PARIS Dec. 2S-It is reported that the
nbvsicians who conducted an autopsy or
Raron de Reinachs body declare that
Death was from natural causes. The re-
rort though d. D. ufiirial. IS gdrded WIN
suspicion in certain quarters.