Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-13
ANOTHER FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.

ANOTHEk FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.
Testimony Given BY Nine. Cossu at the Pan.
anna Trial Causes = Minister'S Resignation.
The greatest sensation in Saturdays session
OF the court trying French officials for corrup.
ton in connection with Panama canal legisla-
ton was the testimony Of Nine Cottu- She
said that a few days after the arrest Of her
husband she learned that the government
annoyed at the turn the prosecution was taking
desired to suppress it, and sought an informed
iary between themselves and the Panama cana
directors. gentleman named COWARD Wis
ated her and offered to act in the capacity OF
intermediary. He informed her that a true
Dill would not be returned if the directors
pound themselves to silence She wanted,
however, to deal with a better authority that
N. Soyard She was on January 16 conducted
10 the otice OF NJ Soinoury chief of the de-
tectlve department, who asked her whether she
PGssessed any compromising documents which
mlgnt De useful to the ministry. NJ. Soinoury
did not make any proposals in precise terms,
put enc felt that the release Of her husband was
Delng offered as a bride for the surrender of
ane compromising papers. The conference at
Soinoury office lasted for 100 minutes. Sol
IN oroer that she should induce him to warn
Onarles de Lesseps, who had already spoken too
mucn; Soinoury also asked permission to re-
port the glst OF the conversation to NJ. Loubet.
SENSATION CAUSED.
The testimony of Madame Cottu caused a
deep stir in the court room and everybody
eagerly awaited the action of the presiding
judge regarding the revelations Presiding
Judge Desjardines declined to summon Sol
noury and others wanted as witnesses and thus
cut off this line of inquiry
NJ. Deschamps, who had been mentioned by
NJ Andrieux as having communicated with Ar
ton In his behalf. testified simply that he had
none Of Arton's letters in his possession.
NJ Andrieux. being again called to the stand
and questioned by counsel, declined to reveal
the identity of the famous Y, whose name had
been erased in Herz's list of alleged bride
takers.
Meantime NJ. large. formerly minister of the
interior, arrived in court and took the stand 10
reply to the evidence regarding him. He
declared that Charles de Lesseps had menaced
him with attack in the newspapers unless he
would help the Panama canal project.
Charles do Lesseps arose and denied having
uttered any such menace.
MADAME CorTU's TESTIMONY coNTRADIcrED.
NJ. Soinoury, chief of the detective depart
ment. had fastened to court of his own accord
when he heard of Madame Cottus statement.
NJ. Sonoury took the witness stand and de-
clared that Madame Cottu came to his Office
voluntarily to ask permission to visit her hus-
band. Soinoury swore positively that he had
never threatened and had never attempted to
bargain with Madame Cottu.
Madame Cottu here arose and repeated with
energy her declaration in words to the effect
that Soinoury had asked her whether she pos
sessed any documents compromising deputies
on the extreme right.
This declaration caused prolonged sensa-
inn md
all sides.
NJ Soinoury seemed somewhat disconnected.
On being pressed he admitted that merely out
Of curiosity he had asked Nine. Cottu whether
che had any documents involving deputies on
the extreme right.
The court then adjourned.
At session of the committee Of inyestiga-
ton of the chamber of deputies the committee
refused to accept the resignation Of N. Henri
Brlsson as president. and also resolved to sum-
mon M. Ribot and NJ. Bourgeois to explain the
measures taken for the arrest of NJ Arton. the
alleged go-between in the bribery Of deputies.
The committee also resolved to ask for the doc
uments showing what had been done in relation
to extraditing Cornelius Herr and for the facts
relating to Cottu's being allowed to 60 at large.
1t is understood that the lack of confidence in
Dictated by this course on the part of the COM
mission Of investigation has had much to do
with prompting the resignation of NJ. Bour-
geols
NINE. CoTTU's MOTIVES.
The attempt to propagate the opinion that
Nine. Cottu was animated by a desire to avenge
the sentence of her husband when she gave her
evidence against the government has failed
completely The GGutOts publishes an inter-
view with her in which she saws that she was
actuated merely by determination to tell the
truth. regardless Of personal interests or do
mestic affections.
M. Soinoury has resigned from the director
ship of the penitentiary department Police
Commissary Nlcolie, who arranged the inter-
view between him and Nine. Cottu, at which
Soinoury tried to get documents compromis-
ing royalist deputies, will be dismissed. Deputy
Despres has gwen notice that he will inter-
pellate the government in the chamber of
deputies as to Nine. Cottu's evidence. In the
senate NJ. Morris will make a similar Interpret.
lation.
THE CABINET CRISIS.
The cabinet crisis inaugurated by the resig-
nation Of NJ. Bourgeois has been shown to be
beyond the hope of repair by patchwork. At q
cabinet meeting yesterday the ministers agreed
that every effort should be made to induce NJ.
Bourgeois to reconsider his resignation, and, in
the hope that efforts would be successful, il
was decided that no new minister should be ap-
pointed until NJ. Bourgeois should have given
evidence in the assize court and should have
explained to the deputies his position. If NJ.
Bourgeois should still insist then upon his re-
tirement another minister should be appointed
but this was regarded as an improbable event
of the crisis.
Yesterday afternoon several ministers called
upon NJ. Bourgeois, but when the cabinet reas-
sembled in the evening NJ. Ribot announced
that N. Bourgeois had been deaf to all argu-
ments and had insisted that he would not return
to office. subsequently at NJ. Ribot's request
President Carnot signed decree giving to NJ.
Develle temporarily NJ. Bourgeois portfolio.
Henry Brisson insists upon his retirement
from the presidency of the parliamentary COM
mission Of inquiry into the Panama scandal
although the members of the commission re.
quested him to reconsider his resignation. His
principal reason for resigning he repeats is the
weakness of his health.
The ministers await with intense anxiety
the event of NJ. Bourgeois appearance on the
witness stand in the Panama trial The general
conviction is that NJ. Soinoury would never
have taken the step he took without the cog
nizance Of the cabinet and perhaps of NJ.
CarnOt