New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-10
paIHAUT ADMITS HIS GUILT.
r,,r Fy.MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS
BREAKS DOWN UNDER EXAMINATION.
-nxr,yE TELLS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR
pIIBAUT's NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DE-
r1ANT REMARK AND SUBSEQUENT
EyAsIONS-oTHER DEFEND
ANTS EXAM y ED.


ANTS EXAMINED.
p.,s March 9.-The feature of the Panama
.,l to-day was the avowal Of guilt made by
~ Raihaut ex-Mnster of Public Works. In
..szt in the trial is increasing, and the greatest
;osty is shown as to the coming developments.
:, s reported that the frankness with which
r.,,es de Lesseps told his story has caused
".rr;se and some CONSERVATION in certain high
..,.s The prisoners We're brought into the
vt,com this morning under the usual escort
- aardarmcs and entered into conversation with
,hsir counsel.
p,ssding Judge Desjardins proceeded to in
..,ocste NJ Marius Fon,ane. The latter stated
=. ,snlr that he was member of the Board OF
.,.,acement of the Panama Canal Company when
~. transactions with NJ. Bahaut occurred. lie
a.scribed the visit of W. Blondn, who assured
enc hoard that NJ Baihaut would introduce bill
authorizing the lottery bonds if the Panama Canal
Comnany would make a substantial pecunlary
sacrifice and that the money would be used to pro-
ann. publicity for the scheme. NJ. Fontane
turtber admitted that. acting under the direction
~ Charles de Lesseps, he visited NJ. Blondin. lie
s.nrd NJ Baihaut with Blondn Baihaut said
sTbe money in question will he used in promoting
a.. interests of the country Charles de Les
..ns thereupon proceeded to discuss with NJ
plondin the question Of the 100000 francs
claimed By Baihaut. The matter was finally
settled at Fontanes house.
In repy 10 the Presiding Judge, NJ. Fontane
sontinucd: Some of the drafts payable to bearer
were issued to pay for advertising, and o'hers
"a s.tsfv the robbers who wavlaid us like foot
pads
This closed the interrogation of NJ. Fontane for
the time being, and then came the great sehsa-
tion of the day. NJ. Baihaut was called upon 10
answer interrogatories. the Presiding Judge put
TING tine questions to him. NJ. Baihaat showed
4. dsposition at first to throw the blame upon
NJ Blondin, who had acted as the "go-Det"eeh
IN the negotiations Baihaut said:
sI acted AT the instieation of Bondin. to whom
rova 400 francs. l have wished to restore
.bs money | received, but l feared thereby 10
socuse myself
I'm 70 this moment NJ. Baihaut had spoken
clearly. and with apparent self-control. Now ne
broke down, and with plfful expression Vi
SORROW and despair he exclaimed. in broken
voice Il acknowledge having been lea astraN:
! am guilty. My words express the Grei anu
repentance feel / do not yet understand 10"
7 could have fallen so low. l ask pardon OF my
country. whose good name have perhaps suiiied'
There WAS n decided stir in the courtroom when
NJ Baihaut began his confession, ana lhis III
creased TO a sensation as he closed In words 'hd'
were almost broken through his agitation. As
aon as NJ Baihaut resained his seiicoh'io' liz
Hid
81 submit in advance to any sentence WHY" '"o
murt may pass on me.
M Blondin was questioned by the fresioihs
hdae as IN the way in which he came to act as In
: fermediary between the Panama Company ana VI
p,,b.at In his answers Blondin denied that he
had instigated NJ Baihaut's demand for money
and that he had received 10000 francs Ior MS SCI
vices in arranging matters between the Minister
and the directors. lie had arranged the mee'ih9
between Baihaut and Charles de Lesseps IN 'he
belief that il would be for the best interests OIL
the Canal Company. He admitted that ne hao set
tied matters connected with the payment OF ''e
bribe. Charles de Leeseps had handed NJ balhau'
100000 francs at NJ Baihauts house, ana |''o'0
more in the lobby of the Senate
NJ Baihaut recalled and cross-examined by
counsel for the Panama creditors stated again 'ha'
A. Blondin had obtained commission on the trans
action between him and NJ de Lesseps. In the
midst Of NJ Baihaut's statement, NJ Fontane sprans
to his feet and shouted:
"That statement is tissue of falsehoods. Inc
witness has not spoken word oil truth.
Turning upon his accu:er, NJ. Baihaut said SLOWLY
"I affirm that what l have said is the exact
truth and nothing but the truth
In examining NJ. SansLeroy, the next witness
Judge Dcsiardins recalled that, while a memocr OF
the Parliamentary Committee on the Lottery Dill
the prisoner had oppose: the Canal Company, tNeh
making proposals to Deputies NJ. Sahs-HioS
hardly waited for the Judge to cease speaking De-
fore exclaiming angrily:
Il am amazed that the prosecution should dare
fasten on a word or two spoken by me to the
examining magistrate, in order to throw me into
prison while they forget to arrest many others
b. Who fhev know are really criminals
Slight applause followed this outbreak, whlch
Judge Desiardns dismissed with a warning 10 the
witness that he must speak more moderately. Inc
Judge then asked:
"Why, after voting for report hostile 10 thc
bill, did you reverse your vote
There were three of us who faVoreo aoahuoh-
ing the BILL" answered NJ. Sans-Leroy, cVasiVeiy'
Il was not aware when changed my opinion that
the Canal Company were approaching Deputies.
Inever spoke with the lobbyist Arton
Where did you get the 100000 francs when
you paid TO the Credit Lyonnas III April, 1888
1t was the reirvestmcnt OF part OF my WIGS
dowry of 2OO,0 francs
Can you produce tile deeds OF the mafriaSo
settlement TO prove that?
Certainly
-Why did you not expoin this sooner? -
u wished TO avoid having the indictment
against me thrown out prefer TO be tried and
be acquitted lLaughterJ H.,
Then Senator Bcral was asked to explain why
= received 10000 francs nom Baron De he''laoh'
k said
This was the amount Of my fees for having
uv0 Baron Rcinach advice concerning the lunis
always" This statement Senator Beral sup
tofled with documents. ~
Deputy Dugue de la Fauconnerie said INA, ne 1ne
$4,000 francs given him by Raron kclnacn "sIs ere
part Of his profits as member OF one oil , ,ne
guarsntee syndicates He could produce no .i; Ies
~ frcm Baron Reinach, however 70 SHOW Nhsd Una a.
,Exleputy Gobron admitted havin; casneI hrt
eheek drawn r. Reinach for 10000 francs ul!
oecied that the check was in any way connectedd
With the Panama Lottery Loan bill. mv ne na,
o4 fifty founders shares in tannerv conpi,N
% Reinach and fho check QlNen l1 pdy