New-York tribune., 1902-07-13

III. RouvIER's SUCCESS AS FINANCE MIN
IsTER-IIcENsE OF LAWYERS IN At
TAcKING OPPONENTS CLIENTS.
ccopyrght; 1902: By The Tribune Associstlon)
Especial to The New-york Tribune by French Cable)
Paris, July 12.-Charles de Lesseps. son Of the
late Ferdinand de Lesseps, in conversation with
Jules Huret Editor of the Figaro expresses
the opinion that the Panama Canal without
locks can easily be completed in six years. He
declares that the exact amount expended under
hts supervision on the construction of the Pan
anna Canal was 259 100000 francs, S252,
100000 He said that with 6o00O0Oo0 francs
additional he could have finished the canal with
locks. He thinks, however that the system
without locks is so superior that he has no
doubt that the United States will adopt that
plan. Charles de Lesseps spoke frankly and
cheerfully about his experiences in Mazas
Prison. where he served a term of one year. and
says his father if alive would be pleased to
the canal completed. even though done by
another nation, for this is not the first occa-
sion when France has conceived grand idea
without herself profting by it,
Just as the Humbert affair arouses public
Indignation against the French judiciary for
alleged connivance with the operations of that
daring adventures, so there is now outburst
of bitter protestatiops against the sweeping
statements made by French lawyers in regard
10 the character of their opponents clients. The
cause Of the outburst is that Maftre Barboux,
of the most venerable, distinguished and
successful advocates in France, in a civil action
against Nine. du Cast, lady of excellent social
position, who is an adept at all kinds Of sport,
including automobile racing and balloon ascen-
sions, exhibited in court photograph of well
sation in the Salon some sixteen years ago,
representing nude woman wearing only a
black velvet mask over her features. Maitre
Barbour is alleged TO have declared in court
that his opponents client, Nine. du Cast. had
posed for the original picture, and he put that
statement in evidence to her moral character.
Nine. du CAST. in deep indignation, forthwith
obtained through her lawyer a letter from Ger
yex formally stating that he had never known
Mime. du Cast and that she consequently did
not pose for his picture of The Masked Lady"
II is disclosed that the woman who did
pose for the picture a professional model
named Marie Renard. The result is that Nine
du Cast has decided 10 bring criminal action
against Maitre Barboux for libel, but owing to
the strong professional feeling among members
OF the Paris bar, she has far not been able
to find single lawyer willing TO take up her
case against so distinguished colleague.
Eleven daily papers, including the ''Matin," the
s.Eclair." the Temps" the Steele" the "Eyene-
ment" and the ''Intransigeant." publish edi-
torials adversely commenting on the attitude OF
the members Of the Paris bar and pointing out
that Nine. du Cast is widow with an orphan
child-circumstances which. according to the
bsrristers oath Of Office ought TO have special
weight with the profession. Public sentiment
demands a reform in the Paris bar. The
.'Matin" announces that Mime. du Cast on July
IL will conduct her case against Maitre Barboux
herself and concludes with the reflection that
the Paris bar il most extraordinary corpora