New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-10


popular verdict seems to be tl4., he has paid the
penalty for withholding the names of ROyaiist
bribery
The worst feature of the situation is that the
fsntenccs have failed to dispcl the suspicious
uoubts OF the people as to the honesty of the
the treatment accorded to NJ Rouvicr and that
TO which the directors have been subjected is the
subject to much bitter criticism.
The sentences passed upon NJ. de Lcsseps and his
associates may not prove to be final, for they he
carried appeal to higher court NJ. Eincl has al
ready instructed his LAWYER to take this course: but
his case Is not complicated that OF the other
convicted persons. lie indicted upon only
count that Of swindng and false precnces, while his
companions accused besides. OF corrupng public
officials and legislators. They will be brought
into the Court Of Asszcs: and In the hope OF placang
tie jury they may wish to appear as accepting their
present sentence equitable punishment for their
deeds. This. perhaps would be good move on their
part, especially when II Is considered that the ex
oncration of Mcssrs. ROuvler Thcvenet. Grevy and
Renault by the Chamber OF Indictments has so ter
ribly excited public opinion in France.
Sentiments of pity might have mi;'gatcd that
opinion II NJ. Ferdinand de Lcsscps, the once great
Frenchman,' TO be dragged TO jail between two
gendarmcs. But many believe that the sentence
against him Is purely patonic and will never be exc
cuted. Most likely he viii know 1t. He Is
childhood and Is also quite H. When his son Charles
arrested the fact concealed from the father.
who asked why his eldest son had not come. as usual
to the castle Of La Che,nayc last New Years Day
lie told that Charles was travell nS lie quietly
accepted the excuse and relpsed into his slumbcrng
moCd from which he did not awake, probably. TO make
further inquiries. The defence Of the accused men
ably presented by their lawyers. who are reported
by the Paris papers having been paid handsomely
at least according TO the usascs Of the French Bar
They recc,e 10000 francs each. with tie exception
Ct NJ waldcck Rousseau. the lawyer of NJ. Efel. who
Is said TO have received 100000 francs, or S2oooo'
vicomte Ferdinand de Lcsseps. di,nSeshcd as
diplomast and engineer born at Versailles on
November 10, JsO5. For about twenty years after
1923 he served In the French Consular service. Ills
fame rests chiefly upon his Suez Canal scheme which
he originated In 1884 lie began work on the canal
IN 1850 and completed It in 1860. Since then ne
has received many decorations has been made mem
ber OF the Legion OF Honor and free member OF the
Paris Academy OF Sciences. lie has been president
OF the French Geographical Society. and Tor many
years he engaged In the Panama Canai WORK. ou'
after the expenditure Of GCO,00o0OO francs the WORK
was practically abandon ned, and the present scandals
followed. NJ. Charles de Lesscps. his son. was
director in the Panama Canal Company. and knew OF
the illegal disburse ncnt OF Its funds. NJ. Marlus
Fontane secretary general If the Panama Canal Com
pany Is n native Of Southern France. lie went 10
Paris where he furnished miscellaneous arucies 10
newspapers especially TO La Patrle." lie DecaWe
the private secretary of Ferdinand de Lcsseps ana
secretary OF the Suez Canal Company. Fe also held
later the same Office In the Panama Company, ana
was I'm charge In the beginning OF the enterprise OF
all connections with the French press. He has writ
ten several books, Including valuable history OF
Ancient Greece.
NJ Henri Cottu a member Of the banking firfn Oh
Reinach Kohn Co.. Is often, but wrongly. called IN
dispatches from France Baron COttu, but the iamhy
nj the real Baron Cotu, who at one time Preiect
OF the Department Of SaoneetLoire, has protesto
in the papers against that appellation. NJ Cct'u
was private banker In the provinces when ht Joined
fbe Panama Company one Of Its directors lie 10
,he dandy OF the Administration Board, ana one OF
the Youngest He posed ay gentleRian Iarml anu
hors,, breeder. on his farm ut AznyIe-h'uesu ~
bred tmported Hungarian horses, aDd he eApcc'pu
IN heat his competitors who imported Amerlcilii
horses and mares. NJ. Cottu passed through, new
York about 1885, when he. acconpahsd Chhr's 9e I
1901 he was charged, OH his own private account,
IN raise I'm Europe n loan Of S"5OOOOoO 1Or tie
SSovernment of Guatemala, but he did not succeed Ill
Nj. Gustav EiRel Is best known to the world rs
thn designer and builder OF the Efcl Tower. wblch
attracted much attention and patronage during the
last Paris Exposition. He was born In ls4j, ana
had a professional education. Ills reputation wns
Established by the building OF the Eordeaux Bridge
the C;araidt viaduct, and other important works.
lie has introduced many improvements IN bridge
huildinQ but he will be pOpularly known as the
| designer and builder Of the Eihel TcwT OF Paris,
structure which was unique and wonderful.