The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-12
PANAMA SENTENCES.
THE WAY PAVED FOR ANOTHER
FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.
The Press Almost Unanimous In It's De-
dicts-Madame De Lesseps Talks.

PARIS, Feb. 1.-THE events or the
week in Paris have left matters pretty
much as they were before the Panama
investigation, except that the way has
been paved for another Cabinet crisis.
The one subject OF discussion for the last
three days has been the sentencing of
the Panama prisoners. Not even Wien
Deputy Delahaye made his first speech
against the Panama Company In the
Chamber, or when the directors and
Sans-LeRoy and Eiffel were arrested
has the excitement in the streets and
cafes and theatres run so high as on .he
Afternoon when the sentences were an
nounced. At o'clock all Paris was in
the streets. The Evenment, Lanterne,
Liberte and some six other journals. got
out special editions. aggrt eating NO,UO
copies, yet the newspapers did not halt
supply the demand. The delivery n IN
were besieged BY crowds Of men aud wo-
men from the moment they left the pub
lication offices. Many lost their bundles
in trying TO transfer them to newspaper
booths, the wrappers were torn OH, and
despite the Interference Of the police, the
specials" were scattered broadcast In
the crowds. The excitement before the
booths in the vicinity of the Palais Bour-
bon all but caused a riot. Deputies ran
from the lobbes, and officials left the
public offices deserted to buy for fifty or
seVenty-fve centimes or franc neWspa-
pers which usually sell for ten or hfteen
centimes. The popular opinion, as heard
from the crowds In the street at the
time. was that the sentences were lust.
aad that the evidence given before the
court Of appeals could have warranted
none other. The clamor as to the cruelty
OF sentencing Ferdinand De Lesseps was
raised the next day by the press, part Oh
whicn would have attacked any decision,
so as to weaken the Government, and es-
pecially the Minister of Justice.
The rest of the press, so free with lts
denunciations, has advocated Tor weeks
a olicy Of suppression of all further in
yestigation, as the editors have been al
ready too much compromised for their
profit or convenience. and by continued
probing would be shown In a still more
uLeLviable light. AS far as Eiffel, Charles
de Lesscps and Cottu are concerned,
most Parisians are anxious to see them
behind lock and key. AS for Ferdinand
de Lesseps, whose condemnation was
forced on the judges by his Implication
in the same fraudulent transactions with
the others, It is generally understood that
he will never go to prison. Should he live
pecially, the sentences are pronounced 10
be unexceptional. There is 10 doubt,
next to the political considerations which
influenced the judges to base their SEN
tences strictly upon the evidence, the
guarantee syndicate swindle initiated
most strongly against any possibility OF
the discharge OF the prisoners.
Excepting the Eclair and the Repub-
lique Francais, not one Partisan journal
approves OF the sentences passed upon
the Panama directors and NJ Einel.
The Soliel says that President Perivler
read the Judgment from the paper. still
wet and blurred. from the hasty pen OF
the ludges and expresses indignation
that. having a week to consider, the COURT
should have made the decision at last so
hurriedly The judges were Influenced by
the CaYaiSnac incident, says the SOllel,
and amended their decision accordingly.
The Journal says that "the unspeakaUie
brutality OF the judges has made the de-
PENDANTS objects Of sympathy and admi-
ration"
The Cocarle finds the sentence OF Fer
dinand de Lesseps 'simny monsirous.
Ferdinand de Lesseps could nmlify the
ser tence and compel a retrial by surren-
dering himself. AS matters stand Iresi-
dent Carnot cannot even pardon nim uh-
iii by default 10 take II al, his sentence
becomes absolute. Opinions are divided as
10 the intention OF the Parliamentary
commission to continue its inquiries. IL
e said that Cavaignac intends TO take
advantage Of his fiist opportunity TO dcny
that he aspires 10 the presidency
The Figaro publishes an interview win
Madame Ferdinand de Lesseps, had since
the conviction and sentence of her hus-
band Madame de Lesseps was found
courageous and resolute as ever, ana as
earnest Us ever I'm her belief in her hus-
bands innocence. Madame de Lesseps
said that her husband was In very weak
condition. A week ago he had been seized
with a delirum thar lasted for "A day.
Then he had a relapse. and had since
remained in n state of coma. Abiding
10 the severity of the sentences passed
ON her husband and his son. Madame
de Lesseps said:
81 preferred this result. 1t is ntting
climax that both father and son should
be Condemned. The very enormity OF the
sentences will the better protect our honor
than less thorough going Injustice would
have done / do not need consolation,
for have reached the end OF lay career,
nevertheless there is one thing above all
| cannot forgive. and that Is that before
striking at such a man they waited until
physical infrmaty had rendered IL mr.
possible for him TO defend himself IL
is better, perhaps, that Ferdlnahd de
Lesseps should be unable to know the
frightful character OF the blow. When
| thirk of the possibility Of Ferdinand
de Lesseps being put in prison l ask my
self whether l am dreaming