The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-09

Tells How He Purchased Influence ia
Secure Aid for Canal.

Tells How He Purchased Influence to
Secure Aid for Canal.
PARIS. March SIN the assize court today the
trial of the De Lesseps and others for corrup-
bill was commenced. A large crowd attended
and interest was Lot tagging. Charles De Lesseps
ske;ched briefly his duties in the Panama Canal
Company and retold the story OF how the money
OF the company had been expended to subsidize
papers and induce bankers to do business. The
Judge asked when had he paid 100000 francs to
Cornelius Herr Do Lesseps responded:
N. Herr came aud told us he had great fnfiu.
ence with the government. We did not feel that
We could afford to ignore or offend him, as he
was too powerful III we appealed to the law we
should come TO grief. Financiers said: "Un-
less you pay money to ali the banks under
the influence OF Girsrdiu, you will have all the
newspapers in Paris against you" We still
papers attacked us and We were finally driven
10 paying out enormous sums right and left,
aud this was encouraged by the government
"Lcave the government alone" called Judge
Desjardins sharply, and slight applause and .
storm Of protests from the audience greeted the
admonition.
Judge Desjardins asked: CHOW did you come
to b. introduced to NJ. Baihut?"
Ny friend. the minister of works, told Fon.
tame that a minister was ready to introduce the
lottery loan bill. but would require
! advised N. Fon.ane not to deal
with him, but afterwards Fontans saw
Baihut, who said he was against the measure.
"Well. send for this gentleman then" The gem
tleman was NJ. Blondn He demanded of NJ.
Baihut 100000 francs, $4,000 to DO paid down.
The bill was then Introduced.
When questioned ~ to the dealings with
Baron de Reinach, N. de Lesseps said:
paid him large sums to meet the expenses OF
the issue. All fnanccrs imposed heavy de.
mands upon u.s. While the negotiations were
pending the ordinance officer came to say that
NJ. dc Freycinet wanted to see me.
went TO see hin and he said: AM. De
Lesseps, there 10 question suit against you. to
be brought by Baron de- Rsinach. That would
10 very ANNOYING. see, now, how you can set
tie matters" As result of my visit to
p bs,sa s dc Rs,aaeA ,,i from 100000 .
subsequently N. FioQuet said to me: "why do
YOU not pay that money to Baron dc Reinach
II were you would do so, and SO sdvising
me to accede TO Reinschs demand.
Questioned az to relations with Arton. lobby.
ist De Lesseps said:
had no direct dealing with the man. He
came to me with Reinach as the repre-
sentative OF Fioquet They said could rem
der ~ Flo9uet great service by setting
indicate The next day l met NJ Floquet, aud
he said IL / could make sacrifice hts feelings
toward the company 'wonld not be changed.
l thought IL would not be prudent to refuse
such honorable gentleman the service
llaughterI When the time for settlement came
Arton brought from N. Fioguet a request in
reference To the payment TO newspapers As
did not wish 20 give more than $4,000 francs
| declined To do business I'm sucn way
told Ar,on would send the bonds marked in
u corner with letter and when the total should
resch $4,000 the expenditures on this account
mast cease loud and prolonged laurhterl
"A this was before voting the bill?" asked
the judge.
Certainly" replied NJ. De Le.sers
The trial then adjourned until tornorrov