The record-union., 1893-01-07
Wholesale Corruption Connected
With the Panama Canal.
DE LESSEPS TO MAKE SOME START
LING REVELATIONS.
An Effort Being Made to Depose the
President of the Republic of Costa
Rica-Belief That a Revolution VIII
Soon Break Out-Much Suffering
Among the Striking Miners In the
Saar District.
Special TO the REcoRD-UNIoN.

PARIS, Jan. 6.-The charges against
Baihut, Minister of Public Works in the
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 influ-
ence. The Figaro says the Judge has
decided the evidence against him war
rants putting him on trial.
IL is reported the proof against Baihut
and other important people, whom the
Government is prosecuting, is due to an
understanding between the Government
and Charles De Lesseps, under which the
latter, by giving all the information in
his power in relation TO the beneticiares
of the Panama Canal corruption, will be
treated with great leniency or entire i'm
munlty. 1t Is reported De Lesseps made
an unreserved statement OF all the facts
within his knowledge, and will repeat it
when the cases come on trial. His object is
said to be not only immunity, but also to
convince the public that the Panama Com
pany was forced by an irresistible press
ure from officials and newspapers to
choose between wholesale corruption
and the threatened ruin OF the enterprise.
1t is said De Lesseps' revelations are of
the most startling character, and will
create sensation in America as well as
in France.
Following is the text of the letter from
Aigoin to the Committee OF Inquiry re-
lating to check for 10000 francs, al
legged to have been received by Floquet:
Yesterday lying document, which
has given birth to an abominable cal
umny, was laid before you. ! had al
ready brought to you, when you for the
first time did me the honor to listen to
me, complete account Of the work done
by me, and for which 10000 francs sent
me by Baron de Reinach was the re-
muneration. l had the right to regard
that question as settled, and now the peo-
pie dare say that on that occasion l only
lent my name, and that the person who
really received the money was a politi-
clan. A most categorical contradiction
to that allegation, which nothing can
justify, you, gentlemen Of the committee,
have seen is the counterfoil Of the check.
You know my name alone appears on it.
You are therefore in possession of proof
OF the truth OF my words, and l defy any,
whoever he may be, to produce con-
vincfng document capable of contradict
ing me-"
HOW THE SCANDAL WAS EXPOSED.
PARIS, Jan. en-. De La Haye pub
fishes an important letter, narrating how
he fulfilled his commission to expose the
Panama Canal scandal. A certain person
came to him, he says, with a facsimile Of
the original list of 172 Senators and Depu-
xrI O,t-
list was shown to him, however, upon
the condition that he should not reveal
the names, but merely take steps to COM
pei the Chamber of Deputies itself to
undertake the exposure.
NJ. De La Haye says subsequent events
amply confirmed all the statements of his
informant. He adds that much more re-
mains to be revealed.
INCENDIARY PLACARDs.
The police are busy destroying incendi-
ary placards posted by anarchists. The
placards call upon the people to rise at
once, seize arms, destroy the corrupt op-
pressors and seize the reins of govern
ment. A feeling of alarm was apparent
throughout the city this evening, and is
likely to increase tomorrow, in conse-
quence of the phophesies Of the press that
the worst developments are to come.
General Saussier, Military Governor of
the city, has taken every possible precau-
ton. The city would be safe were it not
for the general conviction that the Gov
ernment is playing fast and loose in the
Panama matter, The laxity of the Gov
ernments conduct in the prosecution is
the subject of universal comment.