The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-04

Indifferent Memory.
NEW York, Dec. 20.--ln a three column
article this morning the World alleges
that the Panama corruptionists and
thieves expended over S2,OO0,00O in brib-
ing American Legislators. In brief the ar
ticle says:
There is All American end to the Pana-
ma scandal. Two million five hundred
thousand dollars was sent to this country
and no explanation has been given of
what use was necessary or was made of
this vast sum. The bribery and corrup-
ton that was practiced in the United
States was just as fragrant. although less
in extent and in the amount OF money
used. The French spectators obtained
their rights from the United States of Co.
lombla and purchased the services Of Fer
dinand de Lesseps to give their scheme
ecia. The farce OF a canal congress, which
met at Paris on May 10, 1879, was enacted
and in the face OF intelligent opposition, a
packed committee on the selection OF a
location chose the Panama route from
sea to sea.
"Soon after the Paris canal congress dis
solved Gen. A. f.. Burnside, senator from
Rhode Island. introduced resolution on
the subject in congress. 1t real that the
United States views with serious Dispute
tude any attempt by the powers of Eu-
-,
and domination ship canal across the
lsthmus Of Panama.
Gen. Burnside. in private conversation
with friends, indicated that he foresaw
that an attempt would be made to intiu-
ence congress, and he has stated that he
introduced the anti-canal notice with the
intention of anticipating any work its pro-
motors might attempt at Washington.
mo sooner was the Burnside resolution
made pubic in France than there was
much discussion III financial circles and
by the press. The investing public soon
formed the impression that the [. 5. gov
eminent would not tolerate canal built
by Frenchmen. The remem brance of the
occupation of Mexico by Napoleon III
and OF the prompt withdrawal OF the
OF MIR. Seward-a request that was made
after an order for the concentration OF
100000 seasoned veterans of the army in
Texas was issued-was fresh in the minds
OF the members of the bourse. There
was much handshaking and friends of De
Lesseps advised against the attempt to
float the canal project"
DE Lesseps Arrives.
After this follows review of the his
tory of the Panama canal project, includ-
inc the arrival OF NJ. de Lesseps in the
United States. The article continues:
president Hayes received the French
man courteously. and, after listening 10
the compliments and plausible assertions
of the canal promoters patiently, re-
sponded that the people OF the United
States we're convinced that they must have
the preponceratIng influence over the
canal whoever might buld il.
president Hayes was stirred by the
presence OF De Lesseps, and he hastened TO
send to the senate a message The senate
resolution OF Feb. H. 1880 called on the
president for copies of the spondence
between the government and foreign
countries respecting a ship canal between
the two oceans.
"In the message President Hayes thought
he had struck a radical blow at the French
scheme. He stated that the policy OF this
country is canal under American con-
troll. The United States cannot consent
to the surrender OF their control to any
European power or TO any combination of
European powers III existing treaties be-
tween the United States and other ma
tons. or If the rights of the sovereignty
or property of other nations stand in the
way of this policy, contingency which is
not apprehended, suitable steps should
be taken to promote and establish the
American policy on this subject consist
emily with the rights of the nations to be
affected by it.
The presidents message TO the senate
was staggering shock to De Lesseps and
those he had gathered about him. He
waved his arms above his head, uttered q
series of voluble invectives, and then
paced the floor endeavoring to compre-
bend the extent of the assau OH his big
money-making plans. He WIS at Wash
ington to produce effects that would quiet
the apprehensions of the French investing
classes that the United States would in
terpose objections to the progress of the
work at Panama. No sooner had he
American government issued proclama-
ton against foreign control of any canal.
\ Bold scheme.
ITO think was to act. De Lesseps
banked on the confidence his country
placed in himself. Among those who ac-
companied the count 70 America was bis
friend NJ. de Bionne, who afterwaTd died
at the isthmus.
Turning to NJ de Bionne De Lesseps
quietly said: Cable Charles De Lesseps)
that / saw the message of the president
assures the political security of the canal.
Direct him TO give out to the newspapers
my message
The sublimitv OF this piece OF bunco
was inconceivable. but the success which
followed De Lssseps' coup of March was
marvellous. The select committee OF the
house was in session and the day before
President Hayes issued his message De
Lesseps appeared before it. His good
friend Appleton engineered the invitation
and acted as interpreter for the cou mt,
who could speak little or no Engis b.
From the first to the last De Lesseps en-
deavored to mislead the committee. On
July Z. 1880. De Lesseps organized in New
York that which he regarded as a master
stroke of policy and called it the American
committee. The alleged purpose OF this
association was to preserve the interests