The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-01
A COUP D'ETAT FEARED.
France Trembles on the Verge of
a Popular UpheavaI.
THE PANAMA CANAL BRIBERY
Frightens the Common People, who BE-
Iieve Their Public Men are Rotten
Sensational Disclosures Made Involve
All the Paris Newspapers.

PARIS. Dec. 1.-The cry of France is for
man, a man of strength. courage, and
the genius Of leadership. Since the in
evitaDle downfall of the Loubet Ministry
the great necessity is almost painfully
felt. Fortunate 1t is for the country that
Boulanger no longer lives, and that no
other smart adventurer in at hand TO
seize the opportunity for a coup detat.
The opportunity exists. Everybody in
the last two days has recognized and
feared 10, The charges of wholesale cor
ruption brought against the members OF
Parliament, though unsupported by
proof thus far, are undoubtedly be-
lieved by the people.
The popular resentment is so strong
that many believe President CarDot VIII
authorize the new cabinet TO dissolve
Parliament and appeal TO the country.
1t is difficult to describe the intensity
OF public feeling. For long time dis
satisfaction and disgust over the present
regime have been growing. These emo
tions did not burst into "A blaz of intoler-
ant anger until the stories OF gigantic
public fraud in connection with Panama
followed close upon the dynamite outrage
in the Rue de Bon Enfants. The public
patience eau endure no more.
The reports need no confirmation that
President Carnot is seriously alarmed
owes the situation, aud that he contem-
plates radical measures TO satisfy the
righteous indignation of the people. The
outlook is not pleasant. Nobody regards
the proposed new cabinet as anything
more than temporary make,hft. Every
body wonders wnat the Socialist leaders
VIII do. liz they are wise they Will do
nothing. Their time has not quite come.
but their temptation is great. Some OF
them do not want to let the great oppor-
tunity pass without attempting bold
stroke, but there are greater opportuni-
ties coming for them.
Yesterdays disclosures in the Panama
investigation VIII further infiame the
popular mind. Tne Parliamentary Com
mission OF Inquiry into the Panama
Canal frauus had summoned two expert
accountants to give evidence. Account
ant Flory excused himself on the plea OF
professional duties. Accountant Ros-
signol, however, appeared. anI he made
the first sensational revelations OF the in
vestigation. lie said that a system of
newspaper subsidies in connection with
the caaal enterprise was long under his
personal observation.
He had not full knowledge of all the
transactions between editors and promo
ters, but he knew positively of certain
journals which were subsidized whenever
any new boom was required by the canal
people. Every time "a new loan was TO be
placed the Petit Journal, he said. re-
francs; the Telegraphe. 1000 francs; the
Drbats, $4,000 francs; the Matin, $1,000
francs; the Gaulois, $4,000 francs. These
were the amounts paid in ordinary emer-
gencies. When any exceptionally great
move was contemplated the subsidies
were increased. Thus when the lottery
bonds were fioated the above mentioned
sums were doubled.
In his general statement of the COM
pany's affairs NJ. kossignol said that up
to 1888 one milliard of francs had been
spent. Or this sum 10000. 900 had been
sunk on the fstAmus, 0O,00O, 900 hai been
used for the expenses OF the management,
ana 300, 600, 600 went for advertising, sub
sides and other legitimate and illegiti-
mate means of booming the enterprise
Heavy commissions were paid to the
Credit Lyonpais and others Getting the
issues OF loans. A million aud Il quarter
were paid out without having been en-
tered in an itemized account The gen
eral heading wss Various Disburse-
ments," and it was also evidence of care
less bookkeeping.
NJ. Rossignol said that the company
had labored under great pressure from
America, and that men at the isthmus
"literally neld the knife at its throat. "
Threats were made to arm 5000 workmen
in the canal and seize and hold the plant
unless more money was forthcoming.
Any attempt o foreshadow the new Min
istry is mere guesswork. No one looks
for permanent Cabinet as the result OF
present efforts.