The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-11
DE LEsSEPs FEsrTFIES.
Makes Startling Admissions In the Panams
Scandal Trial.

PARIS. Jan. i0.-Ferdinand De Lessepa,
although absent on account Of his health.
was included to-day a. one OF the defend
ants with Charles De Lesseps. Fontane,
Cottu and Eifel. accused OF completely
in the Panama canal frauds.
The trial was opened in the first cham
ler of the court of cessation. az the
court of appeal 10 called NJ. Perivier pre-
siding. The space allotted TO the audience
was thronged with DISTINGUISHED people,
including many well-known In French
financial circles, and a number OF promi-
nent persons from abroad were also pres
ent. Procureur- General Tanon conducted
the prosecution.
De Lesseps was questioned closely as 10
the relations Of the American Panama
Committee 10 the company. He said
that twelve million francs had been placed
at the disposal of the American commit
teemen and had been used by them for
the best interests Of the company. When
asked II this sum was not .ather large
for the purpose for which II was applied
De Lesseps replied that their assistance
was valuable ard would have warranted
the expenditure OF stili larger amount.
After the recess the presiiing Judge ques-
toned DE Lesseps as 20 the bogus peti-
tions presented 90 the chamber and the
enormous payments made by the company
to syndicates which assisted I'm floating the
loans De Lesseps answered the ques-
tions ard then made this statement:
Much as | regretted 81. nard neces-
| slty compelled us 10 resort 10 such means
20 ensure the success Of our plans The
! million given 70 NJ. Obendoeffer (ths
| banker. who received two million francs
| for giving the company the .dea u
lottery loan and putting the idea In prac-
| tice) were in payment for his suggestion
| OF a simple plan relative to the bonds and
constitution OF the Soclete Civile. IL bos
| hcoved US to humor such q great banker,
| and even had great difhct1ty In limiting
the sum as narrowly MS l id. we al
ways distributed the money when fresh
| issues were made so that we might avoid
creating enemies on the Bourse.'
OF Baron Ranach. DE Lefseps said: He
| was the man who formed .he first So
| cicte civile with his own "apital, assisted
by the name OF NJ. Bonaparte Wyse.
| When | gave Baron De Reinacb the
money | told him 10 Jake out OF 1t what
ever remuneration he chose.
This admission evoked loud murmurs
of surprise and disapproyai from the
| crowd in the courtroom. and the presid-
ing judge repeated: You gave the Baroh
De Reinach the money, and told him 10
take out Of II whatever remuneration he
| chosen
II dii"
You handed him millions with nermis-
| sion TO put as much as he wished IN Ms
own pocketY'
Exactly. He first demanded fifteen
million. then twelve million francs. i re-
| fused to grant these excessive demands.
and persisted In my refusal, despite his
repeated threats"
"Dd YOU know TO what use Baron De
Relnach expected TO put that part OF the
money which he did not retain as re-
| munerationT
IL aid not know. and did not wish 10
know exactly where he disbursed thu
| money. | know only that the money was
10 be spent for the canal"
De Lesseps was asked 10 explain mex,
what became OF $1,000 francs IN bonds
| payable 10 bearer, which were NOT ac-
| counted for In the companys books. III.
de Lesseps evaded the question tor
long time, but finally under pressure
said:
"When the Lottery bill had been laid
on the table, A. Baihaut asked FOR q
million francs, TO be paid TO him IN IN.
stalnents between the introduction ana
| the adoption or the bill. or this sum-
| N5OW francs were paid TO Nj. bainaut.
| Thee the bill was Withdrawn ana nothins
more was paid him
De Lesseps paused moment aiter CIV
ing this damming evidence against 'ns
| ex. Minister Of Public Works. Nooody
| snoke or stirred. lie looked nkedly az
the iudges and added "Oniy when the
knife was put TO my throat did pay
this money. | was like n man giving up
his watch TO a highwayman.