The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-08
CHARLES DE LEssEPs COMPRISES.
So Does Historian Fontane-Government
Ready to Suppress ANY Kisinc.

Ready to Suppress ANY Rising.
PARIS Jan. NM Baihut Blondin, Fontane,
Cottu and Charles de Lesseps were examined
simultaneously by Magistrate Franque willie to-
day. The conformation OF the men led to yehe-
ment alterations, the noise OF which could be
heard outside the court room. Magistrate
Franqueville atterward held conference with
the procurer general. Ii ii shall be decided to
prosecute ex-Ministsr Bsihut the government
will leave it 10 the chamber to decide whether
he shall be prosecuted before the senate or be-
fore the assizes.
According to lie Na.in today the arrest of
Blondin Is due to an avowal by Fontane 10 the
effect that Blondiu acted as GO between in the
corruption OF Minister Baihut. Blondin, lie
EItin says. confessed to having cashed four
checks on Baihuts account, amounting to CO.,
0Q francs This confession OF Blondin agreed
with end was confirmed by the statement of
Fontane. Ex-Minster Baihut, however, persists
in denying the charges of corruption. The pub
lie arc not surprised ut the allegation with re-
gard TO the ex-minister, and there is a strong
feeling in favo. of a thorough investigation of
the ministry OF public works apart from the
Panama scandal. Fontane has expressed an
earnest desire to resume work on his Historic
Universal" IN which he was interrupted by his
arrest. Fontane was accustomed 10 get up al 6
o'clock every morning to work upon this his
tory, of which seven or eight volumes have al
rea iy been published. Should he be sentenced
to imprisonment as result OF the proceedings
against him he will undoubtedly request per-
mission 10 continue has task In prison.
There Is now no doubt that Charles de Iesssps
told the government everything he knew. It
said that when he completed his statement he
expressed himself greatly relieved. He said he
felt that for years he was bearing burden of
suspicion which ought 10 attach 10 Others. The
single desire OF his father and himself had been
to bring the Panama canal enterprise to a sue
fytl Ei,t III bad
them By the throats aud the company had been
compelled 10 buy support and aid, which, in tho
interest of the good name of France and for this
benefit OF thousands OF Freuch investors, ought
TO have been given freely and as a mater OF
public duty lie hoped the people of France
would place the responsibility where IL te-
ionged. Foniane followed DE Lesseps' example
and made full confession.
The government Preparations to suppress dis
order are not based on any apprehension what
ever of a royaiist outbreak, but on the attempts
of the extreme Socialists 10 arouse an insurrec-
ton. The government does not view even tha
Socialist movement with serious apprehension,
an. ia confident Of its ability 10 maintain order
Gen. Saussier may be relied upon 20 give loyal
support in the event of an outbreak, and tie
troous believed 10 lie equally loyal. Ths
mob Of Paris no longer possesses tie formidable
character which 1t exhibi. ed in the days o. the
Commune and Of 1915 The more dangerous
Leaders In the popular agitation are under cou-
tinued surveillance, ana the minister OF the in-
terror is kept accurately informed OF any move
meni no mater now slight, iii the direction OF
disorderly demonstration. Espionage in this
particular l. far more thorough, although Iess
obtrusive and offensive, than under the late EN-
pire The police could paraiyZe an extreme
socialist deno2,tra;i0n at any moment by put
ting their hands upon the leaders, but IL 70
thoug ht best - wait Tor some open act af law
! les ness before taking decisive course. Il Is
believed that in view OF the energetic action OF
! the government aud the evident readiness 70
/ suupress any uprising. tie more INTEL gent
| leaders OF the extremists will succeed In pre-
| venting al outbreak that could only result in
| the Seyerest punishment Of ali concerned ia it.
| Neyerthe ess, nnm; or OF anarchists are will.
| ing 20 riss tser lives should tley any PROS
| pect OF str.klnga serious blow a. the existing
/ order of things.