The morning call., 1893-03-10

the courtroom, are thronged. The general
opinion is that the defendants all wore
more confident air than on the previous day,
and that they seemed to feel their unre-
served ackEow Judgments had made favor
able impression on the community.
To-day Presiding Judge Despardins pro-
ceeded to nterrogate Marius FOntane.
The latter stated he was a member of the
board of management of the Panama COM
pany when the transactions with Baihut
occurred. Acting under the direction Of
Charles de LeSseps he visited Blondin and
found Baihut there.
Baihut said the money in question was
to be used in promoting the interests Of the
country. Charles de Lesseps ;hereupon
proceeded to discuss with Biondin the ques-
ton Of the 1,COO,0 600 francs claimed by Baihut.
Tie matter was eventually settled at Fon-
tane's residence.
In reply to the Presiding Judge, Fontane
continued: Some OF the drafts payable to
bearer were issued to pay for advertising,
others to satisfy the robbers who wayl laid
US like fooipads."
This closed the Interrogation Of Fontane
for the time being.
Next followed the great sensation of the
day. Baihut was called. He showed
disposition al first to throw blame upon
Bondin, who acted as the go-between in the
negotiations.
Baihnt said: 81 acted at the instigation
Of BIondin, to whom l gave 1900 francs.
l have wished to restore the money l re-
ceiyed. but l feared thereby to accuse my
self"
Up to this moment Baihut had spoken
clearly and with apparent self-contrOl. Now
he broke down, and with pitiiul express
sion of sorrow and despair exclaimed In a
broken voice Il acknowledge having been
led astray. am guilty Mywords express
my grief and repentance. l feel I 90 not
yet understand how 1 could have fallen so
low. l ask pardon of my country, whose
good name l have perhaps sullied."
There was a decided stir in the courtroom
when Baihut began his pitiful ayowal of
guilt, and this was increased to a sensation
when he closed.
Blondin, when questioned, said that he
had arranged the meeting between Baihut
and Charles &c Lesseps in tke belief that fl
would be for the best interests of the canal
company. He admitted that he had settled
matters connected with the payment of the
bribe, but denied receiving commission.
Balhut, when cross-examined, stated
the transaction between him and De Les
seps. In the midst Of Baihuts statement,
Fontane sprang to his feet and shouted:
That statement is tissue of falsehoods.
The witness has not spoken one word Of
Truth"
Turning upon his accuser. Baihut said:
Il affirm that what l have said is the exact
truth and n thing but the truth"
In tine eVamiui9o of Sans I aro, T,,5,,o
Despardins asked. Where did you get that
100000 francs which you paid to tile Credit
Lyonuais in April, 1SSS?'
81 reinvested a part Of my wiIe's dowry,
100000 francs"
why did you not explain this sooner?"
81 wished TO avoid having the indictment
against me thrown ont. Iprefer to be tried
and be acquitted" TLaughter
Senator Beral next explained that the
40,0o0 francs received by him from Baron
de Reinach was his fee for having given ad-
vice concerning the Tunis railway.
Deruty Deuce dc Ia Fauconnerie said
the 25,CG0 francs given him by De Reinach
was part Of his profits as a member Of the
guarantee synd cate.
EX-Deputy Gobron admitted having
cashed a check drawn by De Reinach for
100000 francs. but denied that the check
was in any way connected with the Panama
lottery loan bl.
Deputy Antoniu Proust said that the
100000 francs received by him from Baron
de Reinach constituted his share OF the
profits from the guarantee syndicate