The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-25
VICTIMS OF THE SCANDAL.
LAME DErENCB OF THB ACCUSED
srhTEsMEN OF FRANCE


Theveuet Only Mako Matters Worse
He Alone or the Tea Men Accused Has
Cleared HIS skirts-Fariias.ent Asjssr.s
AGer . Feverish Fortnight-one OF Its
Last Acts IL to Refuse TO Consider .
Treaty tho Government Had Approved
Parts Excited At Night ny Rumor that
Miu,ster Ne Freycinet HaA Resigned.
PArts. Dec. 24.-The full proportions Of the
Panama scandal see m at last to be known or
suggested and the Republic is intact. One Of
the greatest shames OF the age have been
added to French history. but the Governme ont.
though black ensd and deflled. etill stands.
The reason. to be sure. may be tho fact that
there has been nothing else to which an out
ragged people could turn. The enemies OF the
Republic. and they are many. have made a
mistake in waiting SO long to offer q radical
remedy for the national corruption. Unless
they hold In reserve some great and unsus-
pscted engine OF political destruction they
will accomplish nothing against the Repub-
loan form Of Government Tho guilty. no
matter who they may be. will be swept aside.
New men will take their places upon the Same
Constitution which has governed France for
the past twenty years.
mako no account OF the fall OF Cabinets.
Those are incidents which are OF triflng con.
sequence compared with tho graver events
which have portended during the past few
dsyA Neither do mean to say that the crisis
and the danger are past. There are many am
bilious and interruptions mon who have
waited for years for such situation as now
obtains. and 1t would be too much to expect
them to allow the opportunity to slip By ua.
improved
Safety lies in two facts. First. the existence
OF greater conservatism than the French peo-
pie are usually credited with: second. political
adventurers havo nothing better to offer.
1t is true. as I have said in previous de-
spatches. that It would be difficult to exag.
gerate the popular excitement and indiena-
tion over tho recent revelations: but public
feeling has not yet expressed in spontaneous
demonstrations Of protest or revolt Within
day or two there have been frequent signif-
cent street scenes which suggest a possible
design to iniame the public mind. The
Panama scandal has been set to music. and
loud-voiced singers going about In Paris
have sung the rather sedtious airs on tho
boulevards and street cornors. Crowds COL
loot instantly and the police dispense them.
There Is no moro effective way to spread revo-
lutonary sentiment in Frnnce than by means
OF popular music. Tho songs OF Panama are
in simply catchy strains and in week all
France will be singing them.
To-day's events have been less sensational
than those OF the rest OF tho week. and yet
they may involve tho fall OF the Ribot Cabinet.
The Chamber. after a long debate. refused
even to consider in detail OF the Franco-Swis
commercial treaty which had been agreed
upon by Ribot. Roche and tho Swiss Minister.
Lardy. In ordinary times the Ministry would
instantly resign after such vote. The pres
ent Cabinet may continue in Office on account
OF tho greater crisis which still exists.
Minister Loubet said to me to- night after
the Chamber adjourned:
Il hope the action on the Swiss treaty Is not
decisive 1t can yet be presented to the Sem
ate. and after approval there be again intro
duced into tho Chamber for reconsideration"
The historic session Of Parliament for 1892
ended without further excitement this even
ing. The members will meet according to
law for tho session Of 1893 on Jan. 10 No
more members wore named by the Govern
mont for prosecution. the reason being that
their special immunity from magsterial sum-
monses does not exist during the recess. The
authorities are not ready to proceed to the
actunl arrest OF any new suspects. and the In
tervai will be used In advancing fresh cases
through the stage OF msgisterial investiga.
ton. Permission to prosecute will be asked
when Parliament reassembles.
1t is expected that five Of those already
named for prosecution will be taken into
custody within the next few hours. Andrieux.
the great accuser. was not arrested to-day.
There is good reason for believing this to be
due TO tho fact that he himself forestalled the
action OF tho Government in making known.
its intention. He was put under very strict
police surveillance and 1t is believed he will
soon be put under actual arrest The fact that
lie is prepared for it. however. robs tho meas
ure of half its effectiveness. Such arbitrary
action would almost certainly lead to dem
onstration OF some sort by his Boulanglst
trends.
1t is interesting 10 revise the list OF the
killed and wounded alter the POLITICAL slaugh-
ter Of the week. Floluets downfall Is per-
hans tho most dramatic and most hopeless
l.ven his friends admit that his own explana-
tions seal his political doom. He cannot hope
for Il reelection to the Presidency OF the Cham
Der Then OF the ten accused by the Govern
ment ono only has offered an explanation
which will probably prove complete vndica-
ton. Senator Thevenet. ex- Minister OF
Justice. has proved. with tho assistance
Of his associate Dupuy. that his handling
of Panama check was honest. He received
as representative OF tho journal Steele a
check for $4,000 francs for legitimate adver-'
Using. He did not even cash it. but turned 1t
over to Dupuy OF the same Office. and 1t ap-
pears on the books OF the paper.
None OF the explanations offered by tho
others has proved adequate in the opinion OF
men Of affairs The defence OF such men as
Albert Grivy is almost confirmation OF the
charges. There are then. ten Of the most
prominent men in the republic whose guilt is
almost universally admitted.
What will como OF AndrieuX's charges no.
body knows. The Panama committee will sit
daily during the recess. and tho Government,
1t is said. will not endeavor to restrict its in
Quiries.
LyGr United Pres.
II is rumorcd that NJ. dc Freycinet, Minister
Of War. has resigned. In consequence Of the
ma scandal. A hurried!y convo ked meeting
Of the Cabinet was held this evening In com.
mittee room OF the Chamber OF Deputies. at
which; it is reported. the resignation was
offered and accepted.
The rumor is not officially confirmed. There
is considerable excitement in Paris this even-
Ing. and grouns OF people stand about the
waiting for the latest Developments: The
r rumor Of NJ de IreyGinet's 5esignation has
asking, what effect such an event. II true