Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-12
THE PANAMA TRIAL.
Evidence of Fontane as to Bribery Of the
Press.
fBr Anglo American cable 70 the Dispatch.l


IBy Angio-American cable TO the Dispatch.l
PARIS. January 1.-THE trial of Charles
de Lesseps. Marius Fontane. Baron Cottu,
and nj. Eiffel. charged with compiiclty IN
the Panama-canal frauds, was continued
in the Court of Appeals to-day.
Long before the hour set for the open
ING of the court the room was filed 70 It's
utmost capacity with o crowd OF inte-
rested spectators, to most OF whom the
prisoners are we'll known. President Peri-
vier at once proceeded to examine ton-
tame.
Fontaine said that shortly after the
formation Of the Panama Canal Company
he was placed in charge of thu company's
business with the press.
BRIBERY OF NEWSPAPERS.
He detailed at length what his duties
were. and gave much valuable information
regarding the bribery of newspapers "a
prevent hostile attacks upon the company
aud also to prevent the puolication OF mat
ter that would nave shown the true condi-
ton of affairs on the Isthmus OF Panama.
Fontane stated that he had held his po-
sition as manager Of tho company's press
affairs until 1885. when the exactlons oi
the newspapers became so heavy that he
was compelled 10 abandon the post. Since
that time he had been mostly the private
secretary of De Lesseps.
In the course of his examination NJ.
Fontane stated that he had distributed to
the press only 10000 francs in drafts pay
able to bearer.
Tpon the conclusion of Fontane's ex-
animation Baron Cottu was called upon by
President Periyier to explain. Cottu de-
clared that his duties az a director OF the
Panama Canal Company were merely
technical. lie dealt exclusively with the
internal administrative work OF the CON-
pany.
EIFFEL MAKES ADMISSIONS.
Interest IN the days proceedings was
centred in the examination OF NJ. Elhel,
the contractor. The questions put to HIM
by the Court resulted in lively fencing be-
tween the President and EIhers lawyers,
who raised objection after objection TO the
interroeatIons. The legal sparriDg occu.
MED considerable time and afforded
amusement to the audience. Finally
Eifel admitted that he had cashed check:
for IL. .OO0. 900 francs, which had ostenslbly
been drawn TO pay for machinery, while
he had actually expended only l,5OO,OO
francs for that purpose.
EIffel said that ne had given 5,00O,0 ,00C
francs to Hebrard to insure contracts with
the company and 100000 francs &c, Baron
de Relnach. in order to secure the latter's
influence III his favor with the govern
ment.
S6,6O0,0O0 PROFIT.
NJ. Flory. the government accountant,
who recently examined the accounts OF tht
canal company, testified that Elifel had
been paid 5000. 600 franks ON his contract
and that he had made profit OF 33,OOO,OJl
francs on It.
At this point the court adjourned.
DE FREYcIsKT AND PLoQUET EXAMINED.
II is reported that De Freycinet, ex-Mln
lister of War. and Floquet, eX-PresideDt d
the Chamber Of Deputies, were examine,
bv Franqueville the Judge q Instruction, TO
dav, in connection with the Panama
charge. The two statesmen were no
under arrest or accusation, at least II
name, but were present as witnesses
although, of course. liable 10 accusation
should their Acknowledgements justify sucl
action.
The Parliamentary Inquiry.
PARIS. January 1.-THE commission OF
inquiry appointed by the Chamber o
DEPUTIES to examine INTO the Panamf
scandal held u meeting to-day and heard
the testimony of members of the lottery
loan commission. The evidence went tC
show beyond any reasonable doubt thal
Sans le Roy was TO great extent, II not
completely. guilty of the charges made
against him.
Deramet moved thet the committee hear
the evidence of NJ. Arton and NJ. de ID
PIcrse, the liquidator of the Societe de!
Etides. This motion was agreed TO.
MN. JoliOois and Pelletan moved that
the committee inquire INTO the contracts
They declared that 77000,000 francs had
been virtually stolen, and that light on the
subject was necessary. his motion was
also agreed to.
Nj. LAUB sLANDERKD.
The statement recently published that
the house of the boulangist deputy NJ. Laul
had been searched by the police in con
nection with the Panama inquiry, anC
that incrminating documents had beer
found. proves TO have been entirely with
out foundation. IL can be stated upon
the authority of the Prefect of Police thai
no such search was made and that no docu
ments in any way compromising M. Laur, OF
showing that he had any connection what
ever with the Panama affair are known OF
supposed to be IN existence. NJ. Laur Is a.
present in America. The members OF hi.
family deny that his residence has beer
searched and in this they are corrobo-
rated by the police authorities.
ADMIRAL GERyAIs DECLINES.
Admiral Gervais has declined the Minis
try OF Marine and Colonies. At the Cabi
net council to-day. after discussion OF the
Admirals decllnation, it was decided t(
detach the Colonies from the Marine anC
attach them to the Department of Com
merce, under Nj. Siegrief. The Marine
portfolio will be offered at once, probably
to another high naval officer.
The Cabinet Council decided not to lay
| "a ministerial statement before the Cham
ber, but to give any explanations which
| deputies might request.
NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.
NJ. Hubbard. Radical deputy for Seine
| et-Oise. has announced that he will address
to the Ministers in the Chamber reques
that they take steps to hasten the ap
proach of the next general election.
Ihe Ministers have decided to agree e
| the urgency of N. Hubbard's request anC
interpolation as to the general election
| and TO make their reply practically
ministerial declaration.
AMI Al IN NASAVIl lE.