Morning journal and courier., 1893-01-25
THE PANAMA TRIAL.

Interest Increasing - M. Barbou,
| SeeksIto Justify the Bribery OF III,
Newspapers-M. Franqueville's De
| cls1on.
PARIS, Jan. 24-The interest in tn,
Panama trial increases as the end comei
near. The approaches TO the court wer,
crowded as soon as the gates were opened
| Many prominent men were present aud
also number of ladies. When NJ. Charles
de Lesseps, N. Marius Fontane and NJ.
Cottu were brought in, they promptly
asked leave to confer with their counsel
before the resumption of proceedings.
The accused and their counsel talked
eagerly together. While the consultation
was in progress, NJ. Eiffel entered and
shook hands with his fellow defendants.
he did not, however, join In the confer
ence. M. Charles de Lesseps seemed to be
earnestly advising his counsel with fire.
quent and emphatic gestures.
Naitre Barbour resumed his argument in
behalf of his clients. He indicated no new
line of defence, but proceeded to justify
the assurances which the directors of the
Panama Canal company had given to the
shareholders and the public in relation to
the Panama enterprise. He did not, he
said, expect to deal today with the charge
of breach of trust.
NJ Barbour said that the payments made
to the press to obtain the approval of the
newspapers could not be held to consti-
all great undertakings were always exceed
ed. The Manchester and Corinth canals
might be mentioned as instances. NJ. Bar
boux made a lengthy explanation of the
Couvre and Hersent contracts. He de-
clared that the popularity of Ferdinand de
Lesseps was as great to-day as in 1884. He
dwelt enthusiastically on the reception &C.
corded to Ferdinand de Lesseps by N.
Rlcard when mayor of Rouen. Charles de
Leseeps, continued M. Barbour, inherited
the respect in which his father had been
so long held. His arrest has caused feel
ing of stupefaotion at home and abroad.
As to any fault which might be
found with the plans adopted for the canal
N. Barbour pointed out the conflict be-
tween the opinions of engineers on the
others a level canal The figures as to the
amount of shipping that would pass
through the canal and the consequent
profit of or per cent. on the investment
of 1, 200, 000f, NJ. Barbour continued. were
the estimates of competent men. Ferdi-
maud de Lesseps had never played the
double part attributed to him. He had
not concealed the mistake made in the orig
inal estimates of the cost of the canal. In
1884 he had told general meeting of the
that 800, 600, 000f more would
be required to finish the canal. His state
ment was so explicit that those who per-
sisted in misunderstanding it had only
themselves to blame.
M. Franqueville has finished his exam
nation of eighteen persons connected with !
The Panama scandal. He has decided that |
Ferdinand de Lesseps, Charles de Lesseps,
Henry Cottu, Marius Fontaine, ex Deputy |
Sans Leroy, Deputy Cochran, NJ. Arton and |
". Blondin are culpable. His decision as
% the other ten is not yet known. Ex-
Deputy Cochran is supposed to have receiv- |
ID a There check for 20, 000f. The specific |
'harge agsinst Arton Is that he bribed NJ. |
'ans-Leroy. N. Blondin, as II. Baihut's |
private secretary, handled the money that |
passed between the Panama people and the |
minister of public works, besides having |
'ther compromising dealings with the canal |
,OmpAuv