The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-12-27
a BETTER OUTLOOK FOR FRANCE

There is an air Of strong probability
about the telegraphed story that Dr. Herr,
now French refugee in Paris, levied
blackman upon Baron Reinach, and so
drove him to the wall that he committed
suicide.
The story runs that Herr some years
ago came into possession of documents
that revealed the inner life of the Panama
Canal scheme, and of Reinach's relation
to all its details, including the facts con-
corning the aid that Baron Reinach
gave to the Government, through Rou-
vler, the Minister of Finance, at the time
when the secret service fund was ex-
hausted.
Just what it was in this documentary
evidence that most frightened Reinach is
not stated, but it was of sufficient scan
dalous importance to enable Herr to
squeeze Reinach constantly for money,
and this he is said to have obtained to the
extent of 100000 francs When the
present agitation began, Herr levied new
tribute upon Reinach; he could not re-
spond, and in his extremity applied TO
Rouvier, conjuring him by the memory
OF the assistance he had given the Gov
ernment-and which aid the Minister the
other day confessed in the Chamber of
Deputies-to come to his rescue. Rouvier
was not able to do so, but went with the
half-crazed Baron to Clemenceau to seek
assistance, but without avail. Reinach
then exclaimed Il am lost" and inside
OF twenty-four hours was dead.
Herr, it is said, pitilessly pursued Rel
mach and constantly pressed him for
money under threats of exposure. From
being a very poor man Herr grew to be
wealthy without visible reason for his
accession to large means. It is even
charged that this man-who, if all is true
III this story, is an unparalleled rascal
was the instigator of the briberies, and
then used them to ruin his victims.
But assuming the story to be wholly
true, it does not change the situation.
Reinach was involved with at least nine
OF the chief men of France in corruption
relative to the floating of the canal
scheme. that has resulted in the present
panic. 1t does not, however, appear that
the Government of the Republic was or
is involved. 1t is not the first time that
Ministers of Finance have been compelled
to borrow for Government purposes in
apparent secrecy. If the advance from
Reinach was not loan, it does not follow
that it was a bride. But the nervous
French can put upon the action no other
construction than that of fraudulent pur-
pose and accomplishment. Nor can others
OF the world understand, as does the
French revolutionist, why Reinach's
crimes and the frauds of the canal man
ayers should work the overthrow of the
republic; certainly no guarantee is or can
be offered that, under an empire or a
monarchy, there would be any greater
security against such swindIes. Nor can
the world see how a change in the form
u eAO CSHOAAI4AiSAAt viii W pc Oul any us
grace now attaching to the nation.
On the plain and Unconditional side of
the French difficulty itwould seem to the
impartial observer that the Republican
Government is doing all that can be done
to vindicate the honor of France. The
President has shown his willingness and
intention to probe the scandal to the bot
tom, and to punish the guilty no matter
who they may be. What more the Due
d'Orleans could do or an Emperor accom-
plish we fail to understand. Cabinets
may fall and Ministers be justly rebuked,
but why the Republic should be over
thrown because the canal company bribed
officials and swindled investors is a prob
lem too deep for Unconditional people on
this side of the world.
Certainly the friends of the republic
have shown no disposition to conceal
anything. In fact, Ribot's defense of the
republic was gallant and frank one.sand
shows that republican institutions are not
in any way responsible for the canal
frauds. He stood-squarely to the front