Omaha daily bee., 1893-01-07
HE BARTERED HIS HONOR
M, Baihut Charged with Selling Out to the
Canal 0Onspirators.
EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM SAID TO Be STRONG
NJ. de la Haye Toll why Tie Was Led TO Make
Charges Against the Deputies
American Bankers In the
AFFAIR.

PARrs, Jan. 6-Charges against Baihut,
minister of public works in the De
Freycinet cabinet, have aroused great
interest. AS minister of public
works he had important influence
on the course of the government in regard TO
the Panama Canal company and the charge
is substantially that he sold that influence,
The Figaro says the judge has de-
cided that the evidence against him war
rants his being placed on trial 1t
is reported that proof against Baihut
and other important people whom the gov
crnment is prosecuting is due to an under.
standing between the government and
Charles de Lesscps under which the latter,
by giving all the information in his power
in relation to the bensfiCiaries of
the Panama canal corruption, will
be treated with great lcnicncy, or
entire immunity 1t is reported that De
I.esseps made an unrcserved statement of
all the facts within his knowledge and will
report it when the cases come to trial.
His object is said to be not only
immunity, but also to convince
the public that the Panama company was
forced by irresistible pressure from officials
and newspapers to choose between whole
sale corruption and the threatened ruin of
the enterprise. 1t is said de Lesseps' revela-
tions are of the most startling character
well as France.
NJ. de la Haye publishes this morning
letter narrating how he served the commits
sion to expose the Panama scandal. A GER
tain person came to him, he says, with fac
simile of the original list of 172 senator's and
| deputies who had accepted Panama bonds.
| The list was shown to him, however, upon
| the condition that he should not reveal the
names, but merely take steps to compel the
| Chamber of Deputies itself to undertake
| the exposure
M, de la Haye says that the subsequent
events amply confirmed all the statements
| of his informant. He adds that much more
| remains to be revealed.
Several papers this morning predicted the
arrests of more deputies and senator's on
next Monday
Police were busy early this morning de-
| stroying inCendiary placardS published by
the anarchists. These placards call upon
| the people to rise at once, seize arms, de-
stroy their corrupt oppressors ana seize the
reins of government. n feeling of alarm was
| apparent throughout the city last exening
and is likely to increase today in consequence
of the prophecies of the press that the worst
| developments are to come.
General SauSSier military governor of the
city, has taken every possible precaution.
| The city would be safe were it not for the
general opinion that the government is play
ing fast and loose in the Panama matter.
The laxity of the governments conduct of
the prosecution is the subject of universal
| comment.
Banker Seligman Pleads Ignorance.
New York. Jan. GA reporter called this
morning on Mr.. Jesse Seligman at his Office
and asked whether, in view of the reputed
relations of his firm with the Panama Canal
company, he wished to make any statement
Mr.. Scligman said: Il don't understand
why we are called upon to make state
ment. We are American agents of the canal
company and paid out large sums for pro-
visions and other incidental expenses of the
construction. DreXel, Morgan & Co. and
Winslow Lanier II Co. We're also agents in
the same way America ought not to worry
about the Panama scandal, for this country
made enough out of the canal"
Mr. Seigman said he meant that this
country made it IN selling materials for the
work. He added that he had no conception
of the identity of the American banker al
legged to be implicated in the Panama canal
scandal. He refused to discuss any possible
revelations of the younger de Lesseps.