New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-11
G. DE LESSEPS SPEAKS OUT.
. STARTLING STORY OF CORRUPTION TOLD.
MILLIONS GIVEN TO BARON REINAcH WITH
POWER TO FIX HIS OWN REMUNERATION
M. BAInAuT WANTED 1000 600.
AXn COT a75oOO FRANCS.
AND GOT

por,s JAN IO.-Ancr the recess In The 'Flh 10
day the presiding Judge questioned NJ. 'hhfl'S W.
Ic.scp, as 10 The bogus petitions presented 10 'n'
Chamber and the enormous payments made by 'hc
cor,nuny 70 svndicates which assisted In floating Tho
loans, VI. de LcsscpS answered the PucSnon' ~ "c'
were mt and then made this statement;
Much rs | regretted II, hard necessity coinpclen
NJ IN res rt 10 such means 60 n-ur" the success e."
our plans TIE millions given TO VI. ohchHocrH'f
,iie banker who received 100000 francs ior giving
the company the Idea OF "A lottery plan ana P''"h'
tho ,dco I'm practce). IN payment for his sus
sc,lIon Of simple plan relative to tho boha' ahl
constitution of tlo Socctc Cive. II bchoovcd Us 10
bpmor such great banker, and even had great aim
r,l,v I'm limiting the sum narrowly as dil w
ALWAYS distributed money when fresh ISSUES were auc
90 hnt We might avoid creating enemies on the Eo'e
IN responsc 10 questions TO the relations between
Baron Rcnnch and the Panama Canal company y"
dc Lesscps said
.Iuo all great bankers, Baron Rcinach wss keen
after uronf lie was exceptional. however. in hi'
willingness 10 risk his capital for the purpose H
realizing the plan Of the Canal. He was the man
who formed the first socictc Cvilc with Eis own
cop,al assisted By the name OF VI. Eonaparte Wyse
When | gave Baron Rclnnch the money, told MN
10 take out OF II whatever remuneration lie chosc'
This admission evoked loud murmurs OF surprise
and disapproval from the crowd in The courtroom
The presiding Judge repeated in loud tone:
"You gave Baron Rcnach the money, ana toid
him 10 take out OF 1t whatever remuneration ~
cho.c!7
81 did
"You handed him millions with permission TO put
as much he wished In his own pochel
EXACTLY He first demanded 13O0O.OOo francs.
ro,uecd 4, grant these excessive demands, ana per
s,stca in nv refusal despite his repeated threats
I'D vou know 10 what uses Baron Kcihach eN-
ncccd 10 put that part OF the money which he dii
not retain as remuneration"
ar "a not know and did not wish 10 Know ex
nctIv where he disburscd the money Khc" Only
,not tho money was spent for the benefit OF the cohn
NJ. dc Lcsscps asked to explain next
what bccame Of o75,OOO francs In bonds payabl"
IN bearer which not accounted Tor III inc
coupany's books NJ dc Lcssrps evadcd Tho dues-
,ion by referring TO the "bons an porterr as the
,onn,ny's secret service fund. When pressed by INC
,.osnctng counsel he referred to n payment o s)inc
GOO ooO francs 10 Cornelius Her. "with VIII the
company could not possibly afford To iali out y
,h.rd question 70 the recipient OF @''ooo franc
o,Ic,tod M rcnIy whatever. In q discussion rs 10
whether NJ de Lesscps should be required to answer
the question: the prosecuting counsel eventually san
that he would waive his right 10 bring Ou the facts
given by VI. Lcsseps TO the examining ma'lNlra'e
Yesterday. The presiding judge, how"vc'. in'I'c"
that fll Fight be thrown upon the transaction In qlcS-
,Ion NJ de- LcssrpS closed his lips firmly. leaned Tor
wa.G and after moments hesitation spoke out
clearly into the oppressive silence Of III" court room
"Whcn tie Lottery bill had been laid on the table
NJ raihaut asked for 100000 francs. TO be paid
10 him instalmcnts between th" Introduction anu INC
odopIon OF the bill or this $4,000 francs were
paid TO VI. Baihaut. Then the bill was wi'hdra""
and nothing more paid to him.
NJ. de Lcsscps paused n moment after giving ms
damnng evidence against the cX Minister OF fupllc
Works Nobody spoke or stirred. lie looked hAediy
ot the Judges, and added
aOny when the knife put to my throa' nid
uov this money. like man giving up MS
watch to a hghwayman'
In conclusion NJ. de Lesscps said that the Panama
directors were well aware how all The sums oi "'cn
,o had spoken had been distributed. AT The END
- h testimony court adjourned and the prisoners
xer, removed 10 the Conclergefie
n Ferdinand de- Lesseps. although absent on
..o.r,t NJ the state OF his health. was IN
o,a.a today MS one OF the defendants. with Charles
a" I.ssens Foutanc Cotu and Ethel. accused OF com
u,,v In the Panama Canal frauds. The triaI was
Ceutiuucd on seventh Page.