The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-01-17
TRIAL COMMENCED
OF THE PANAMA CANAL SWINDLERS
IN FRANCE.
Charges M ado in the Indictments Of Obtain
ing Money Under False Pretences,
Misappropriating Funds, Etc.

general, Tanon, has summoned thirty-one
witnesses for the great Panama trial, which
begins tomorrow. The parties to be put on
trial tomorrow are Charles de Lesseps, di-
rector of the Panama Canal Company !;
Maurice Fontaine, secretary genera! of the
company; Cotteau, of the firm of Reinach,
koAn Il Co.; and Gustave Eiffel, the dis
tinguished engineer. Charles de Lesseps
has caused three English directors of the
Suez Canal Company to be summoned as
witnesses in his behalf.
The indictment charges Charles de Les
sups, Fontaine and Cotteau with having
employed fraudulent means to persuade the
people TO believe in the existence OF fal-
laclous enterprises ands imaginary influence
or credit, thus causl9s divers persons to
subscribe that would not otherwise have
done so, for an issue Of Panama canal
bonds made June 70, 1883. Defendants
by fraudulent means thus alleged OF cneat-
ing and detrauding others out OF all or
part OF their money thus subscribed.
The second section OF the Indictment re-
lates t. the Panama canal loan of Decem-
Der ), 1888. The accused are charged with
having tried to obtain subscriptions TO TINS
loan under false pretenseS, their attempted
swindling being only frustrated by clrcum-
stances independent of their intention.
Thirdly, it is alleged that the accused
had msappropria ted or expended, with the
view to prejudice the interests of bondhold-
ers money given into their charge as trust
deposits for specific purchases.
Gustave Eitfel is indicted as an accom-
plice in the alleged swindling operation and
is accused of having wilfully and knowing
ly received a share of the sums of money
unlawfully procured from the public, and
with having wilfully and knowingly shared
in the profits of the fraud. Eitfel is also
accused of having misappropriated funds
entrusted to him for the mandatory purpose
of expenditure for salaried labor.
Nothing is said in the Indictment as to
bribery or corruption of public officials.
One of the witnesses summoned IS SAID
said to be Lucen Napoleon Bonaparte
Wyse, who claims the credit of having
been the first to conceive the idea of
canal between the Atlantic and Pacific.
1t was he, who in his character as engi-
neer, obtained from the Columbian govern
ment the concession to carry out the Pana-
ma canal in the works of which he was ell
gagged until the final collapse.
Baihut, ex-ministe" of public works, was
put under arrest today after long inter-
view with Magistrate Franquevlle. Bal
hut has heretofore been allowed to go about
under surveillance
A,re.np,s 10 Involve Carnot.
The authorities are said to have been
moved to sterner measures by reports
coupling President Carnot's name with
that Of Baihut, tho arrest being intended
TO prove that the government is not afraid
to axe action agaInst any one
The attempt TO involve President Car
mot in the Panama accusations causes
much excitement. So far as made apparent
there is not the slightest evidence of cor
rupt completely in the Panama swindling
the part of Garnet, the utmost alleged
III any definite way being that he may
have perfunctorily and as minister given
official sanction to transactions on the
part of other officials. who were corrupt.
Enemies of The republic have from the
first been endeavOrlng to involve Carnot,
believing that by bringing atout pres--
Dental crisis they would strike a fatal
blow at the republic. Besides, there are
several candidates for the presidency in
the field. who would be delighted to see
CarnOt forced to resign.
H. ,ation ~ tie Ministry.
Paris. .arua:y IG.--The French minis
try has just resigned, owing to the differ
enceS in the cabinet on the arrest of eX-
Minister of Pubic Work Baihut, and other
matters The greatest excitement prevails
and people throng the streets. The police
are out in force dispensing the crowds.
Later.-Prcsidelt CarnOt has just charged
NJ Rbot with jne duty of demonstrating
a ministry. 1t IS openly charged that the
president and NJ. kibot are not in earnest
in the Panama prosecution and have 10
intentions of bringing the bribetakers to
trial aud that the prosecution of De Lesseps,
F0ntaine, Cotton and Etfel will be nothing
more than a farce.
At the cabinet council held in Eysec
today Premier Ribot announced to PreSi-
dent Garnet that he and his colleagues rec
ogniZed LAT it WAS necessary to reform the
cabinet. The MINISTER'S thereupon collec-
lively presented their resignation to PreSi-
dent Garnet, aud he charged NJ Ribot. as
stated, with reconstructing the ministry
1t is understood that NJ Ribot will retain
the Office Of premier. but he will exchange
the ministry of foreign affairs for minister
OF the interior.
minister of The Inferior, and NJ. de Frey
cinet. minister Of war, probably will not be
found in the reconstructed cabinet.
ihr "t. ef.
Tho new cabinet organized by Rbot is
as follows: Ribot premier and minister of
the interior; Dew lie, foreign affairs; "rard,
finance: Bourgeois, justice; Gener Loi-
zilion. war; Burieau, colonies and marine;
Dupuy. instruction; Niger agriculture;
Siagfred. commerce; Niette works. The
most notable difference between this cabi-
net and its predecessor is shown by the
absence of De Freyoinct and Loubet.
Tcs.n& 70 i.A = -ai" Unrnat.
Paris, January 13.-Today grave rumors
are atoat III regard to President Carnot.
Several Of the deputies who have been
most earnest III pushing the Panama inves-
t;gat!on. make no secret IN declaring they
viii uCt rest UDtU Garnet is forced TO re-
sign. The strength of the case against
the president depends upon the credibihty
OF lSalsNl. cA-llcnnBGf OF pNDlc WORKS.
AMI Carnot's friends claim no faith what
ever should be attached tn Baihuts dis
closures; that he is malignant against Car
not for not having protected him from
prosecution. and that he wishes to drag
the president down with him.
On the other hand it is pointed out by the
enemies of N. Carnot that Baihut's charges
agree with the facts as known. and thai
Charles De I-osScps would probably corrOb-
crate Baihut II he were permitted to re-
veal all lie could tell.
Eat~rt~i Does Not Ahate.
There is 10 abatement whatever in the
interest excited by the developments in the
Panama case that have been brought to
ii2ht by tie sE;llfu! questioning of President
Pcfiyier, Of The court Of appeal, before
whom the accused are being tried. To-Day
was the fourth day Of the trial of Cherries
de Llsseps, Cottoau, Fontaine and Ettel,
and. as on the proceeding days, the court
room was crowded. a number of witnesses
were called to show that at the time the
rosy reports were being made by the canal
company, The officials had full knowledge
that the reports were untrue and that diff
ct:ltics that We're brushed aside on paper
as though .hcy were nothing were known by
De Lesseps and others to be insurmount-
able.
W~lI Defend Garnet.
Leading republicans are alarmed at the
pcrsiStcl,t attacks upOn President CarnOt