New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-10
THE PANAMA RETEL1TIONS.-

The new chapter of the Panama scandal
opened by Charles de Lesseps and VI. fon'ahe
Is n nlain and direct recital Of official corrup-
tion. Entirely apart from the drafts upon the
company's treasury made for Baron Renach
and the adventures Herr and Arton, the pay
ment of $4,000 francs to NJ. l}aihaut upon
the demand of NJ Blondin is scandalouS
revelation of bribery by extorion. 1hIs sum
was paid to the Minister OF Public works III
order to secure the Introduction OF the Loan
Lottery BILL As the Judge was constrained u
remark. it established the fact OF Official cor
ruption. But the witness went further. lie
o,otcd the Minister as assuming to act with
the authority of the Cabinet. Then, passing
outsidc of the indicted legislators and officials.
bc imnlicatcd NJ. de Freycfnet. NJ Floquct and
". Clemcnceau. directly or indirectly, in even
greater schemes of cxtOrtion. lie clearly stated
that il was through the influence and inter
yenton of these Republican leaders That ne
was induced to place large sums at the DIS
,,osal of Baron Reinach and Cornelius Herr.
"They were very polite about the matter" he
remarked in cynical tone; " they did MT take
me by the nape of the neck, but they all said
about the same thing as to the necessity OF
granting Rcinachs demands
Sncb testimony as this. followed rs 1t was
Yesterday by VI. Baihauts dramatic confession
of his guilt in open court, involves inc ncceS
s;ty for another and wider range OF lndIct-
mcnts The Panama directors have cvdent'!
decided to make clean breast OF all 'he!
know. and ~ drive ont of public life those VINO
proftcd. either personally or in political way
by the raids upon their treasury. Inc Junec
PARTISAN attempts to break the force OF TINS
testimony. to intimidate the witnesses and 70
nrotcct former members of the Government
created bad impression and excited storm
of indignation in the courtroom. Inc hepuo
lie is not now on trial at the faiaiS nc Jus
ticc but only group of legislators and former
officials. who have betrayed their trusts ana
made merchandise Of their public functions
The Republic may yet be on trial. il the GOV
eminent Of the day and the courts under It's
control lack the courage and civic virtue re-
ouirod for thorough investigation OF the
Panama scandal. The Wrctchcd Balhau'. VINO
broke down in his defence and with iiitcfihg
voice ackn wlcdgcd his guilt, is not the only
Minister or legislator who has sulicd IN" Oh
name of France The Republic VIII livc' hu'
those who have basely trltl.ckcd with pubic
honor cannot escape exposure and punishment.
The new disclosures would have been fatal
to the present Ministry if they had been made
, fcv months ago. Paris has become ac-
clmated TO the conditions of public scandal.
Experience has taught the more cXcitabc
classes that revolutions are not necessarily
caused by startling revelations, and that thS
enemies of existing institutions lack the au-
dacity required for taking advantage OF po-
litical crises. Notwithstanding all the scan
daous disclosures OF the last winter the OPP
portunsts are still strongly intrcnched IN
power The President. the Premier and the
Presidents of the two Chambers arc all OPP
portunist, The party remains in control OF
public affairs because il has the talent ana cN-
pcrioncc requisite for political government, ana
no other group has succeeded In dispiacing II.
Nonaccd as the leaders are with political cabals
and reactonary intrigucs, and discreditcd by
the disgrace and shame Of convicted colleagues,
they represent the survival CT the httcst Tor
Republican government and are still masters
If the situation. NJ. Clemcnceau, who could
once dispute their asccndency and bowl them
ont of Office whenever caprice took possession
of him. j. now spent force. NJ. Andiieux mas
not outsrown the stature OF police project
and lacks capacity for leadership. The Royal
;st nrctenders are retired Schoolmasters and
essayistS. without the audacity required for
successful reyolutionists. The Republic re-
mains now. as it has been for over twenty
years, the only possible Government. There
is nothing to take its place.