Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-10
THE rASAnA CANAL sRrsEns.



N. Bakhaut AMrms the Truth Of What He
Confessed.
In the trial Of the Panama canal officials in
Paris yesterday after The STAR's report closed
NJ. Baihaut said as soon as he regained his self
control Il submit in advance to any sentence
which the court may pass on me-"
NJ. Blondin was questioned by the presiding
Judge as to how he came to act as intermediary
between the Panama company and NJ. Baihaut's
demand for money, and said that he had re-
ceived 500 francs for his services in arranging
matters between the minister and the directors.
He had arranged the meeting between NJ.
Baihaut and Charles de Lesseps in the belief
that it would be for the best interests Of the
canal company. He admitted that he had
settled matters connected with the payment Of
the bride Charles de Lesseps had handed NJ.
Baihaut 250, 900 francs at NJ. Bsihaut's house
and 125. 900 more in the lobby Of the senate.
M. Baihaut, recalled and cross-examined by
counsel for the Panama creditors. stated again
that NJ. Blondin had obtained commission on
the transaction between him and NJ. de Lesseps.
In the midst Of NJ. Baihaut's statement NJ. Fon-
tame sprang to his feet and shouted: THAT
statement is q tissue of falsehoods. The wit
ness has not spoken q word Of truth"
Turning upon his accuser NJ. Baihaut said,
slowly: 81 affirm that what have said is the
exact truth and nothing but the truth
In examining NJ. Sans-Leroy, the next wit
ness, Judge Desjardins recalled that while a
member OF the parliamentary committee on
the lottery bill, the prisoner had opposed the
canal company then making proposals to depu-
ties. NJ. Sans-Leroy hardly waited for the
judge to cease speaking before exclaiming. an
grily: 81 am amazed that the prosecution
should dare fasten on a word or two spoken by
me to the examining magistrate in order to
thrav ,.1xo %
many others who they know are really crimi-
nal"
Slight applause followed this outbreak. which
Judge Desjardins dismissed with a warning to
the witness that he must speak more moderately.
The judge then asked:
why. after voting for report hostile to the
bill, did you reverse your vote2"
There were three OF who favored aban-
doning the BILL" replied NJ. Sans-Leroy,
evasively. II was not aware when l changed
my opinion that the canal company were ap-
preaching deputies. l never spoke with the
lobbyist Arton.''
"Where did you get the 100. 900 francs which
you paid to the Credit Lvonnais in April. 1882
1T was the reinvestment Of part Of my wife's
dowry of 20O, 900 francs"
Can you produce the deeds of the marriage
settlement to prove that"
Certainly"
"Why did you not explain this sooner?"
II wished to avoid having the indictment
against me thrown out. l prefer to be tried and
be acquitted Laughter.J
Senator Beral next was asked to explain why
he received 10000 francs from Baron de Rel.
nach He said, This was the amount of my
fees for having given Baron de Reinach advice
concerning the Tunis railways" This state.
ment Senator Beral supported with documents.
Deputy Dugue de la Fauconnerie said that
the rs, 900 francs given him by Baron de Reinacn
were part of his profits as member of one OF the
guarantee syndicates. He could produce nc
letter from Baron de Reinach, however, to show
this.
Ex-Deputy Gobron admitted having cashed a
check drawn by Baron de Reinach for 200 00C
francs, but denied that the check was connected
with the Panama lottery loan bill. He had sold
fifty founders shares in tannery company to
Reinach, and the check was given in payment
for them. He voted for the lottery bill at the
request of his constituents. He had never seen
Arton nor any other lobbyist for the Panams
company, and had never met Charles de Les
seps before coming to court Wednesday. After
Charles de Lesseps had confirmed this state
ment NJ. Gobron protested feelingly that his
whole life disproved the accusations now
brought against him.
received by him from De Rsinach constituted
his share Of the profits from the guarantee syn
dictate. At the request of NJ. Proust's counsel
Charles de Lesseps was allowed to say that he
had known NJ. Proust for many years. and be-
lieved that the accusations brought against him
were utterly unfounded.