The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-02-25
Latest Phases of European Scandals.

For the moment it looks ms II the attempt
to probe the bribery committed in connec-
ton with the Panama Cana and with the
Italian bank scandals had been checked by
the friends OF the incriminated persons.
Such appearances, however. nre probably
delusive. for public opinion In both France
and Italy is evidently at the back OF the
demand for a merciless exposure Of the facts.
The nomination OF NJ. JULES FERRY for
the Presidency OF the French Senate by the
Republican caucus is an incident suscepti-
BILE OF more than one Interpretation. On
the one hand. NJ. FERRY was VIGOROUSLY
the discoverer and for many years the IN
wavering supporter Of NJ. RouvIER, a self
acknowledged bride taker. who has never
theless procured the quashing Of an indict-
ment on technical grounds. On the other
hand. the prospective President Of the N
ate Is understood to DO a deadly enemy OF
NJ. CLEMENCEAU. to whom his downfall and
the long eclipse OF his influence were largely
due. II it be true. however. that M. FER
RVS hands are clean as regards the Pam
anna affair. he may rave made up his mind
to drop RoUvIER as a man i~rreparably
tainted, and to devote all his energies to
the destruction OF C~LEMENCEAU and the
group OF extreme Radicals on whom the
RIBoT Cabinet still has to lean.
Our own belief is that FERRY. provided.
as we have said. that he knows his own
record in connection with the Panama
Canal to be unassailable. will eventually
cooperate with CAvA1GNAC and BR1ssoN to
overthrow the RIBoT Ministry OF the score
OF lukewarmness in the prosecution OF ac-
cused and suspected persons. The fact
that NJ. RIBoT obtained a fresh vote Of con-
tidence the other day, Notwithstanding the
stigma fixed upon him and his colleagues
by C~AvAIGNAC's speech. proves very little.
because the appropriations have not yet
been voted. and cool-headed men are un-
willing to precipitate Il crisis. which would
probably involve a dissolution Of Parlia-
ment. until provision has been made for
pressing financial needs. For the moment.
therefore. the Opportunists and most Of
the men who for one reason or another are
likely to follow CAvA1GNAc and FERRY.
voted to tolerate the present Ministry a
little longer. The moment the %appropria-
ton bills arc passed. we may expect to wit
ness n new political CONFUSION.
The Italian bank scandals rave raised a
question precisely similar to that pressed
upon public attention in France by the
Panama affair. The fact that the Panama
Canal Company is a defunct corporation.
while the Roman and Neapolitan banks &C.
cused OF overissues are still in a condition
to do business. is n distinction without a
difference. That was effectively demon
strated by our correspondent at Rome In a
letter printed on Friday In THE Sun. The
real question at issue in Italy. as we'll as in
France. is whether Ministers and legisla-
tors were bribed to connive at fraud. A
month ago. tho present Italian Premier,
Signor GIoLITTI. defeated a proposal sup
ported by his predecessors in Office, the
Marquis DI RUDINI and Signor CRIsp1, that
the affairs of the implicated banks and
their relations with tho Government should
DO examined by n parliamentary commits
sion. On Thursday OF this week. another
motion to the same effect was made,
and 1t was again vigorously advocated
by Signor CRIsPI and the Marquis DI
RUDINI. But Premier GIOLITTI again sue
ceeded In getting their demands rejected
by a majority OF about n hundred. There is
no doubt. however. that GIoLITTI is running
himself in public opinion by his desperate
resistance to tho prompt sitting Of accusa-
tions levelled Unfortunately at his pred
ccessors and himself. The fact that they
earnestly request n committee OF inquiry
while he as persistently refuses it. can
scarcely bear more than one construction.