The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-13
Tho French Crisis Apparently Closed.

At the first glance the worst clements OF
the French Chamber seem to have trl-
umphed in the vote Of confidence obtained
by the RIDoT Cabinet, which is identical
with tho defeated LoUBET Cabinet. minus
tho two members who insisted upon prose-
cutting the directors OF the Panama Canal.
Tho truth is that until NJ. RIEoT had fin
ishcd reading his statement OF intentions.
no one could predict what the assembly
would do. and tho course which it decided
to pursue was crcditablc to the good sense
and upright purpose OF the majority. For
the new Prime Minister promised that the
Government would heartily cooperate with
the investigating committee. and he is
known to be Il man Of his word. Another
powerful motive wus the desire TO keep NJ.
RIBoT at the head Of the Foreign Otlicc on
account OF the remarkable discretion and
deXtcrity with which lie has carried on
negotiations with the Car. With all the
republican groups. moreover. the argu-
ment mad some weight that the advocates
OF monarchy were using the Panama scan
dial to discrcdit the republic. and to pave
the way for q change OF government.
Thus far the pledge given by the new
Ministry has been fulfilled. A large num-
Der OF documents relating to the Canal
Company have been turned over by the jul
dicial authorities to the investigating com
nittee for tho purpose Of throwing light
upon their inquiries, but with the under
Standing that the papers Shall not be pub
iishcd during the tendency Of judicial pro-
cecdngs. Tho Cabinets sincerity. how
ever. will not he thoroughly tested until
the committee bring in Il report incriminat-
ing members OF the Chamber. Then they
will have 10 deal with the belief. now be-
come universally current in France, that
many millions Of dollars subscribed by in
vrsto-S In Panama Canal securities We're
used to bride the legislature and tho press.
The political importance Of Furnishing with
prOmptncss and sevc ity any legislators to
whom the guilt Of brbo taking can be
brought home will be appreciated. when we
REGAL! that tho subscribers to Panama
shares and bonds included many hundreds
Of thousands of peasants who had entire
confidence in the creator of tho Sucz Canal.
and willingly embarked their savings in
any enterprise launched under his name.
Undoubtedly far larger fraction OF the
money obtained from peasant investors has
been wasted than stolen: but that is not tho
impression which they will get from the
disclosures made. Traditionally suspicious
OF Parisians and disposed by prejudice to ex-
sggcratlon, they could be easily persuaded
that they and NJ. DE LEssEPs were tho
joint victims OF Partisan rascality and that
the canal would havo been completed but
for tho incessant Matchmaking to which the
company was subjected at the hands OF
Deputies and journalists, II this convic-
tion be once planted In their heads. we shall
witness next year something like a revolu-
ton at the ballot box. We do not mean that
either the Bonapartists or the supporters Of
tho BoURBoSs can obtain amajority of the
Eext Chamber. for neither party has Il pop
ular leader. and all monarchists are Grip
pied by the Pope's declaration in favor of a
republic. 1t is more likely that the peasant
electors would return majority Of con-