Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-12
TALK OF THE PARIS CAFES.
The Developments In the Panama Invest
cation the Chief Subject Of Caoasin.

The Developments In the Panama Investi-
cation the Chief Subject Of Gossip.
PANS, Jan. 12.-The Panama Developments
form almost the same topic of discussion every
where. and the next move looked for on the
part Of the authorities is said to concern NJ. de
Freycinet
1t is recalled that the ex-minister Of war was
an intimate friend Of Cornelius Herr and fire.
quently drove to Herz's place at
Tresserve near Ak, to enjoy the
hospitality Of DR.. and Mrs. Herr.
How far this close personal intimacy
may have gone is, SO far as the public know o
matter of conjecture, but the friendship of N.
de freycinet is believed to have been put to
industrious use by Herr in his peculiar opera
tions
1t is stated tina. there is no evidence Of actual
corruption on the part of VI. de Freycinet, and
that nothing more can be shown against him
than complaisance toward obers who were cor
rupt. Freycinet is reported to have been terribly
shocked by the statements from America re-
Sarding the antecedents Of Herr, whom he
professed to consider person Of high
Probity and excellent character. Frey
cinets friends cite on this subject the
fact that previous to the recent exposure
the Dossier. or record Of Herr at the chancel-
lerie of the Legion of Honor was not only
creditable but brilliant, and that de Freyclnet
had no better opportunities than the chnncel-
lerie for knowing the real history Of the adven-
turer.
NJ de Freycinet denies having gone with
elouched hat and his collar up about his ears to
the doctors place at Tresserve near AK, be-
cause it is not his way to do things in melo-
dramatic fashion.
NJ. Monchicourt. the hquidator Of the Pan
anna Company, deposed before the Panama
committee that in 1888, when the lottery bill
was coming on. Baron Reinach required q
sum of 100000 plus 100000 francs for
what he spoke of as press eIpenses.
There were no accounts furnished By the
baron. NJ. Monchicourt expressing astonish-
ment at such a sum being intended for the
papers, NJ. Reinach said to him, What simple
person you must be to fancy it is going to be
spent on them"
N. Monchicourt was then connected with
Panama affairs. On speaking Of the
lowing up to one OF the directors the
latter told him that it was payment
for secret services he had undertaken for the
purpose of getting the lottery to u loan carried.
Baron Reinach was paid in cash down. 1t took
the form Of checks on the Bank OF France.
For the bonds to which he subscribed he only
paid francs so centimes piece. aud he cleared
francs or 30. He only risked the former sum,
or not even that, there being special stipula-
tions The sums paid him in money came to
IL, 900 900 francs.
Monchlcourt knew Herr as discounter OF
Dlils urhWN Dy Olnefeut MeuDerS OF the COM
pany. He heard that Cotteau spoke of Baron
Reiuach fearful bloodsucker," and when
he himself asked NJ. de Lesseps why he gave
him so much, NJ. de Lesseps said, What can l
do? He has knife to my throat"
In consequence Of Admiral Lefevre refusing
the ministry Of marine NJ. Ribot has added the
duties OF that Office to his fo- the time
being while he is looking for some suitable per-
son to take the place Of NJ. Burdeau.
There is a prevalent disposition among the
republicans in the chamber of deputies not to
press NJ. Ri6ot too closely in the present crisis
and to allow him every opportunity to surround
himself with such assistants. The retirement
of NJ. Burdeau from the ministry OF marine has
greatly strengthened public confidence in the
government.
jules Ferry is quoted rs saying that all
steady going republicans ought to unite in op-
position to a dictatorship. to a restoration of
monarchy or the empire and to anarchy. Close
watch must be kept over the intrigues of the
enemies Of the constitution, who endeavor to
prepare coup de main"
NJ. Jules Ferry attributes the trouble with
which the republic has been visited recently to
the lack OF proper understanding be-
tween the members Of the gov
requires unity OF Direction. The
judicial authorities will punish. those whose
probity is not intact. but republican statesmen
and politicians should devote their attention to
the protection of public liberty.
The Soleil says today that NJ. Sans-Leroy has
confessed to having received 200, 900 francs
from the Panama Canal Company.
In connection with the transactions between
Hebrard, editor OF the Temps, and Eiffel IL
appears that Hebrard. when asked by the
Panama investigating committee to explain
his publication in 1886 Of an advance
summary OF the report OF Rousseau. the
engineer sent by the French government to
report on the canal while declining to state
the source from which his journal obtained the
extracts before they we're made public answered
that the day before the appearance of the
extracts in question in the Temps he had en-
tered into partnership with N. Eiffel.
For many years past he had himself done
business i'll connection with public works, and
lie defended his right to engage in private bust
ness.
As to his commission OF 81 per cent on NJ
EIfers Panama contract. he had no control
over the works and took no part in concluding
the contract.