Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-27
ALL FRANCE SHAKEN
By the Startling Revelations
Made in the Panama
Canal Scandal.
A SENSATIONAL SUICIDE.
The Socialists and Monarchists Are
Both Endeavoring to
PROFIT BY THE DISTURBANCE.
Germany by No Means Without Share of
Political Troubles.
PROFIT BY THE DISTURBANCE.
OPPOSITION TO THE BIG ARMY BILL
rBY CABLE 10 THE nrsPArcH.r

manoeo the more prominent place In the az
tentlon of Europe and the world this week
1t is no ordinary situation which presents
itself in either capital. Germany has lis
tened to the demand of the Emperor and
Prime Minister for legislation to place the
Empire upon the highest war footing The
cloud of public scandal which l described
last week has burst over France, and with
IN effect so dishearteuing that the public
journals in Paris to-day point out the dan
ger OF another coup d. etat
Although the provisions of the German
army bill have been thoroughly discussed in
advance, the speeches of the Emperor and
Count Won Caprivi In support of the meas
ure have made a profound impression
throughout Europe. The broad calm, nom
aggressive presentation of the subject BIZ
the Government has had a deeper effect out
side of Germany than if more warlike argu-
ments had been used.
Germany Expects to Be Attacked.
The inference has been drawn that while
Germany has no offensive plans. she does
definitely expect TO be attacked. If this
belief can be communicated to the Reichs-
tag the bill will undoubtedly pass, but
convinced In other European capitals the
majority opinion is that the measure will
eventually become a law, perhaps after
some substantial concessions by the Gov
ernment
In the rapid kaleidoscope of French af
fairs all things have given place to the
Panama scandal The French people did
not learn until this week the vast scope of
the allegations and the number and char
Lcter OF those who are implicated. When
Deputy de Lahaye launched his charge
from the tribune last Monday and asserted
that more than 100 of his associates in the
national chamber beside high Government
officials and journalists had been cor
rupted by the Panama millions, the cour-
Try, though sea rcely believing, was ready
to overturn the Government if proof was
forthcoming The conviction has since
fixed itself in the popular mind that the
charges, though exaggerated, have facts
upon which TO rest
a Sensational Suicide.
The death of Baron Reinach, which
everybody now believes was a case of
suicide, did much to confirm this impress
8icn. The result has been to divert the
popular anger in q great measure from the
directors of the Panama Company to the
official receivers of bribes.
The public resentment goes farther in
some measure to the very form of Govern
ment itself. 1t was this danger, it is said,
which led Mr.. Loubet and some of his
associates to oppose the Panama prosecu-
tions until their official lives depended
upon the withdrawal of further opposition.
That public opinion has been swayed to a
critical extreme is shown bv such utter
ances as those of NJ. Maynard in Figaro
Yesterday. He declares that the Democ-
racv has been tried and found wanting and
that he is sure there must be change of
some sort in the nation.
Deputy Dreyfus afirms that 'If pre-
tender were present and prepared to take
UP the inheritance of the Republic, it must
6e confessed that Just now a splendid
opportunity would offer"
Socialism Instead of Monarchy.
The GGzstte de France replies that Dreyfus
is right on every point but one namely,
that a leader is at hand - meaning, of
ccurse, the Comte de Pafis. There is not a
grain OF sense in this last suggestion. The
bourgeois republic is undoubtedly in a bad |
vav, but in the present temper of France a |
Socialist republic would, in a crisis, be |
given an innings before anv revulsion of |
sentiment would carry the people back to |
monarchy. !
No story of corruption has been too ex-
travagant to find circulation and credence |
in Paris this week, and no name has been
s.tC from assault NJ. Arton is credited by |
everybody with being the go-between in |
the corruption Of the accused deputies |
Senator ATton has discreetlv disappeared,
and his principal, Baron Reinach, is dead |
The French police believe Arton is in Lon
don. Search and curiosity are principally
directed toward the stubs of an old check
book used by the deceased Baron. The
sums represented, according TO lobby re-
uort, amount to more than 5000, 900 francs
There is much interest in London to know
who is meant by the story that the Paris
representative of a London journal re-
ceived no less than 500, 900 francs as the
price of his silence regarding the Panama
management
Plenty of Moral Proof
4 Paris correspondent of The DISPATCH
telegraphs that ne had an interview with
Deputy Delahaye regarding the latter's
charges made in the Chamber last Monday |
and before the investigating committee.
Delahave said that he had no legal proof of |
his allegations, but he had plenty of moral |
proof eli the committee. says be, "will |
summon the witnesses 1 have privately !
named TO them, and ask the questions which |
] nave suggested, they viii have laid be- !
tore them complete proof Of all my charges |
The members Of the Chamber opposed to /
nv party are doing their best to damage |
nav reputation. 1 have only TO say he |
laughs best who laughs last. / did not
make my accusations without knowing
where the proofs could be found"
There is strong impression, neverthe-
less, that the investigation by 'the thirty
three" the special commission already |
named, will prove iasco. If the charges
a. wholesale corruption are true the scandal !
is so gigantic that even the innocent MEM
Irrs of Parliament would hesitate to face
tho effect OF 4 complete exposure.
The Government is not stable enough, to
nut il bluntIv, TO survive the shock. There
nav be few scapegoats found among pub-
men, but strong efforts will be made to
sivert attention once more to the part
T .ayed in the game by the directors and
contractors of the Panama Company.
What Was Done Yesterday.
The Panama Scandal Commission held
lh-ee sittings to-day. Two important wit
l.-ses were heard. One of them, NJ. Dru-
mont. editor of Libre Parole, did not appear.
-rccial Commissary of Police Clement told
n- President of the commission that Dru-
mont refused to come to the Chamber on
l. ground that he had deposited the docu-
Grais in secret place and did not wish the
siice 10 know where. This was considered
cad excuse, as Delahaye possesses no