Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-03-10
BAIHAUT'S CONFESSION
Causing Great CONSERVATION
in Frances Capital.
ENCLOSURES IN THE PANAMA TRIAL

while Giving His Testimony NJ. Baihaut
Breaks Down-He Acknowledges His
Guilt and Is willing to Take the Punish
ment- NJ. Fontane Causes Small Uproar
In the Court Room-Others Testify.
PARIs, March 10.-The developments
brought out by the testimony of Charles de
Lesseps and M. Baihaut in the Panama
canal scandal trial are causing great con-
sternation through the length and breadth
of France
When first called upon to answer the
charge that he had demanded and accepted
bride of $500. 900 from the canal COM
pany, NJ. Baihaut showed disposition to
throw the blame upon NJ. Blondin, the go
between in the negotiations. Yesterday NJ.
Baihaut said:
II acted at the instigation of Blondin, to
whom gave 81 800 l have wished to re-
store the money received, but l feared
thereby to accuse myself"
Up to this moment NJ. Baihaut had
spoken clearly Now, however, he broke
down. and with pititul expression of
sorrow and despair exclaimed in broken
voice:
Il acknowledge having been led astray.
] am guilty. My words express the grief
and repentance l feel. do not yet under
stand how could have fallen so low.
ask par,ion of my country, whose good
name l have perhaps sullied."
There was decided stir in the court
room when NJ. Baihaut began his pitiful
avowal of guilt, and this increaeed to a
sensation as he closed in words that were
almost broken through his agitation.
As soon as he regained his self control he
said;
- :,sl, pardon from my country for hav-
ing compromised its honor, If, indeed, its
honor can be compromised by the fault OF
an individual, and l am full of respect for
the justice of my country and bow before
hrrd to the decision which may be given.
was wrong to deny my guilt at first, but
when afterwards l confessed did so of my
own accord, for Twas ignorant that traces
had been foInd of the money l had paid tC
the Compton d'Escompte."
To the questions of the judge he gave
full ana clear answers, telling all he knew
about the lottery transactions and the parts
Blondin took.
-Blon,iin. who was next examined denied
having played the Part attributed to him
by l-aii.ut and said that he had not been
the nstigsttor of the steps taken, nor had he
rec lived the 100000 francs commission
He claimed that he had acted in coed faith
and bel eyed that the million asked for by
Baihitt was destined for a campaign in the
press against the fall and rise of Panama
shares The President then re-eXamined
Baihut, Who persisted in his statements.
In the midst of M. Baihut' statement NJ
Fonetane sprang to his feet and shouted
''That statement is a tissue of falsehoods.
The witness has not spoken word OF
truth"
/ Turning upon his accuser NJ. Baihut
said slowly: 81 affirm that what I have
said is the exact truth and nothing but the
truth"
IN examining Sans-Leroy, the next wit
ness, Judge Desjarlins recalled that while
| a member of the Parliamentary COMMITTEES
on the Lottery bill the prisoner had op
posed the canal company, then making
] proposals to Deputies. NJ. Sans-Leroy
hardly waited for the judge to cease speak
ing before exclaiming angrily:
Il am amazed that the prosecution
| should dare fasten on word or two
spoken by me to the examining magistrate
| in order to throw me into prison, while
| they forget to arrest many others whom
| they know are really criminals"
Slight applause followed this outbreak
which Judge Desjardins dismissed, with I
| warning to the witness that he must speak
| more moderately.
70 other questions of the judge he re
piled with much cynicism and effrontery
After other minor testimony by Senator
Berel, accused of having received ~, 90
| trancs, Deputies La Fanconnerie and An
tonin Proust and ex-Deputy Godron thu
| trial was adjourned.