The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-12
THE ARREST OF ARToN.
Very Good Politics 10y the Radical
Ministry of France.
Paris Letter in New York Tribune.

nOp1 IOiitlG- DY the EaliGat
Ministry of France.
Paris Letter in New York Tribune
At any other time the deaths OF such
men as Alexander Dumas fills, Barthelemy
Saint-Hilaire, the novelist Arnould and
Cardinal Bonaparte would have monopo-
hzed public attention and interest; but
these occurrences have been thrown COM
pleteiy into the shade by the arrest OF Ar
ton, OF Panama fame. one OF the cleverest
OF political moves. when the new Bour-
geois cabinet assumed office the other day
the wiseacres were 50 positive OF its in
ability 10 command a majority IN the
chambers that It's existence was considered
as a mere matter OF few days, possibly
10 be prolonged by the dissolution OF tho
legislature and an appeal to the country.
NJ Bourgeois thereupon gave orders for
the arrest Of Arton. who for months had
been living quietly, but without much con-
cealment. in one Of the most freQuented
suburbs OF London. This not only consti-
tuted a sort Of an earnest Of the govern
menrs promises 70 purify the administra-
ton and 10 investigate all scandals, but
likewise struck with fear and trembling a
large number or politicians both IN and
out q the legislature, who dreaded that
they or their friends might he compromised
by the revelations Of the prisoner. who, as
everybody knows. was for years the recog-
ulzed lobbyist and distributor OF parlia-
mentary brides. employed by financial and
Industrial enterprises In need OF legislative
support
The moment that IL was known that
Arton was in jail and that the govern
ment was presumably in A position to Sc
cure knowledge % the facts which il was
tn his power 20 reveal, the contsmptuous
attitude OF the house changed into one
o. deep respect for the ministers. and
when, couple of days later, the cab
met had occasion 10 ask vote OF con-
ndeuce, IL received one OF the largest ma
ior.ties in the parliamentary history ot
France. Whether this majority viii 20
maintained Is open TO question. For since
this memorable vote tbs scared politicians
have been made aware OF The fact that
the warrant en- the strength Of which
Arton has been arrested and for which his
extradition IS demanded relates 10 his
frauds and dishonesty iu connection with
the now defunct dynamite company
frauds for which be was sentenced in 1888
by default 20 twenty years penal serv!-
tu6s New. according 70 TIE terms OF
every interna tional treaty. an extradited
prisoner can - tried and punished only
for the particular offeuse named IN the
warrant. and Cor 10 other. unless -
himself is D conserving party thereto.
Thus. T. Artoa IS either acquitted at the
close % his trial for the dynamite cou-
many frauds o. = Re Is sentenced 10 a
term OF Imprisonment he cannot BE p.ac-
ed on tTiaI for anything il connection
with the Panama enterprise unless bv
his cwn consent Of course. IL vii -
possible for the government % make
some arraaEeuect wfta him ~ which e
secures a mercy rom14al punishment Tor
tAa dynamite frauds. anl tier voluntarily
accents Jurisdiction cf TIRE French courts
IN connection Vita tie Panama affair.
receiving q promise % immunity IN cor
siferatson % his disclosures. Il is TIE
fear CO tais that remains the principal
source e tie strength CO tAs Bourgeois
cabinet