The morning call., 1893-03-09
HIS STORY OF CRIME.
Charles de Lesseps Tells 1t {.
the Stand.
A Reference TO the Government Not
Complimentary Sharply Repressed
by the Judge.
Special to TIE MoRS1SG CALL.

PARIS, March SIN the Assize Court to-
day the trial of De Lesseps and Others for
corruption In connection with the Panama
bonds bin was commenced. A large crowd
attested that the interest in the scandal had
not tagged. Charles dc Lesseps sketched
briefly his duties ID the Panama Canal Com
pany and retold the story of how the moneys
OF the company were expended TO subsidzs
papers and to induce bankers to do business.
The Judge asked when be paid 100000
francs to Cornelius HerzP
DE Lesseps responded: M. Herr came
and told US that he had great Influence with
the Government. We did not feel that we
could afford TO ignore or offend him. He
was too powerful. If we appealed to the
law we should come to grief The finau-
clers said, Unless you ay money to all the
banks under the influence of Girardn YOU
Will have all the newspapers IN Paris
against you We still held out against
such methods and the newspapers attacked
US, and we were finally driven into paying
out enormous sums right and left, and
were encouraged in this by the Govern
ment."
Leave the Government alone" called
Judge Drsjardines sharply.
Slight applause and storm of protests
IN.
Judge Desjardines asked:
How did you come to be introduced to
N. Baihaut?"
"a friend of the Minister of Works told
Fontane that the Minister was ready to in
troduce the lottery-loan bill. but would re-
quire a certain large sum to delray ex-
penses. l advised N. Fontaue not to deal
with him, and afterward Fontane saw
Baihaut, who said he was against the
measure. When learned of this 1 said to
NJ. FOntane, We'll. send for this gentleman,
them The gentleman was NJ. BOndn.
He demanded for N. Baibaut 1000 900
francs. $4,000 to be paid down. The bill
was then Introduced
When questioned as to his dealings with
the Baron de Reinach NJ. de Lesseps said;
81 paid him large sums to meet the expenses
OF the issue. All of the fnanciers imposed
heavy demands upon us.
while negotiations were pending an ord
nance officer came to me to say that NJ de-
Precinct wanted to see me. l went to see
him and he said: M. de Lesseps, there is a
question of a suit against you to be brought
by Baron de Reinach. That would be very
annoying. See now how you can settle the
matter AS result OF my visit
to NJ De Precinct 1 raised nv
OIer 10 baron Oe heiUacn from 2,OOO,OUO TO
100000 francs, which he accepted. Suisse
sequenty NJ Fioquet said to me, Why do
do you not pay that money to Baron de
Renach. If 1 were you I would DO so. and
SO he advised me to accede to R-inach's de-
mand."
Questioned as to relations with Artnn,
the lobbyist, De Lesseps said Il had no
direct dealing with the man. He came to
me with Reinach as a representative of
Floquet They said I could render NJ.
Foquet a great servlce by setting
aside 900 francs for the pur-
poses which he would Indicate. The next
day L met NJ. Floquet, and he said that if |
could not make the sacrifice his feelings to-
ward the company would not be changed. I
thought 1t would not be prudent to refuse to
do such an honorable gentleman a service
IIaughter.l When the time for the settle
ment came, Arton brought from NJ. FIoquet
request IN reference to the payments to
newspaper. As did not wish 10 give more
than 300,000 however, l declined to do
business in such a way. 1 told Arton
would send bonds. marked in corner with
the letter F. ana when the total should
reach 100000 the expenditures on this ae-
count must cease" Loud and prolonged
laughterl
"All this was before voting on the bll?"
asked the Judge
Certainly" replied NJ. de Lesseps The
trial was then adjourned until tomorrow.