The herald., 1893-01-19
Panama Swindlers Should Be
Severely Punished.
The Prosecution Demands That
Justice Be Done.
Ferdinand de Lesseps and NJ. Eiffel
Severely Roasted.
NJ. Clemencsau Plsced in an Unenviable
Light-BIore Fraudulent Checks
Discoversd-How De Lesseps
Worked the Clergy.
sv the Associated Press :,


By the Associated Press
PARIS, Jan. 1S-Advocate General
Pau at the Panama trial continued his
address today for the prosecution. He
said the issre OF the lottery bonds was a
swindle; the reports published con-
tanned inaccurate figures intended to
mislead the public, and fraudulent un-
derwriting syndicates were formed, for
all of which Ferdinand de Lesseps and
the other accused persons were equally
responsible. Eiffel was an accomplice
IN the frauds, secretly receiving money,
knowing we'll that he received part Of
the proceeds of the swindle.
The advocate general continuing, said
the bad faith of the defendants is mani
fest throughout the maneuvers to which
they resorted. Both Ferdinand and
Charles de Lesseps made statements
full OF lying promises to their hearers.
Eiffel through breaches of trust obtained
nearly 25,OOO,000 francs. He simply
embezzled the company's funds.
In conclusion the advocate general
demanded severe punishment for the
men who. in order to attract capital,
had recourse to every kind of trick and
fraud. A fine would not be sufficient
punishment. Justice demanded that
such crimes should be severely re-
dressed.
A CHARGE AGAINST CLEMENCEAU.
The first witness before the parlia-
mentary commission today was M.
Stephane, clerk in the service of Baron
de Reinsch's partner, M. Proper. He
said M. Reinach left him list of per-
sons compromised in the distribution of
Panama money. Among the names on
the list were Arela, Deves, Grevy, Roche,
Dugue de la Fouconnaire, Rouvier,
Floquet, Proust, ReDault, Barbe, Berall
and Thevenet. Several names we're re-
peated on the list, as the men indicated
received Panama money more than once,
The whole list contained the names of
more than 100 deputies who had been
benefciaries of the Panama fund. The
sums paid these men varied between
1000 and 3O0,0 900 francs each. M Steph-
ane said he gave the list to M. Clemen-
ceau, who. he thought, could make the
best use of it..
Considerable questioning on the part
OF Chairman Brisson elected many addi-
tionsl facts which show that NJ. Steph-
ane had in his possession list similar
to the one photographed for M. An
drieux.
M. Stephane was requested to wait in
the committee room while nj. Clemen-
ceau was being summoned from the
chamber. Five minutes later Clemen-
ceau arrived. He denied emphatically
that he ever received any list of COM
promised deputies from anybody. He
had not even heard of such list from
Baron de Reinach or anybody connected
with him in business.
M, Stephane was then recalled. He
repeated his former testimony without
variation, directly contradicting every
thing M. Clemenceau said.
MORE FRAUDULENT CHECKS.
The Journal des Debats sayB the police
have found 800 checks paid by M. Ar
ton, the Panama lobbyist and agent of
Baron de Reinach, and endorsed by
conspicuous men. 1t is supposed most
of these checks were drawn in favor of
deputies, among whom is NJ. Andrieux.
It is said Arton was commissioned to
spend 1850 900 francs.
REPUBLICANS RALLY.
Republicans, ignoring personal differ
ences, are rallying to the cause OF the
government. Goblet states that he will
not associate himself with campaign
designed to provoke a presidential
crisis. This sentiment is generally ex-
pressed by other prominent men whom
~. ,,+- lad ,rI 10 eArnn nt ff,
their eide through motives of personal
ambition. The detection OF Royalist
plotting at home and the increasing
interest in French affairs abroad have
served to weaken the hold of the Pana-
ma scandal on the public mind, and the
enemies of the government also find the
public more and more incredulous, in
view of the earnest prosecution OF De
Lesseps and his associates, of the asser-
ton that President Carnot or the min
istry have anything to conceal.
HOW DE LEssEPs WORKED THE CLERGY.
In view of the developments in the
trial, attention has been called to the
part which Ferdinand de Lesseps got
the clergy to takein helping the scheme,
which has heretofore almost escaped
observation. De Lesseps and his whole
family went prominently to high mass
at the church OF the Madeleine all the
time the bubble was being blown. The
christening of each of the successive
children of the family was not less
public event, and was celebrated at the
Nunciature by special license. The pre-
late was in one instance asked to be god
father. Speculation in Panama options
it is said went on at the vatican. A
marquise who left to the people a man
sion on the place de la Concorde was
advised by her priestly counsellor to
convert her offering of 10000 francs a
year to the Peters pence fund into Pan
anna paper. The adviser got heavy
percentage of the transaction. OF course
the company was expected to pay heav-
ily and answered to the expectations.
Every priest who got one of his flock to
take bond or share, got commission.
The run of priests on the Panama offices
Don't fool with indigestion. Take BEECH