THE PANAMA CANAL SCANDAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2896, 11 February 1893, Page 3

THE PANAMA CANAL SCANDAL.

[I'Elt PKKSS ASSOCIATION.] J^aris, February 10. The 'sentences in connection with the Panama Canal frauds have created a sensation in France. The Court held that fraud had been proved by mendacity associated with the loan issues, and declared that the Directors had constantly concealed the operations *>f underwriting. Tt"- syndicates were pronounced to be fictitious. Eiffel was acquitted of fraud, but convicted of breach of trust, inasmuch as he received 120,000,000 francs for works which it has been proved he hsd never .completed. Eiffel has yet to appear before the Court of Cassation. liouvier was acquitted because the court could not detect a connection between the cheque for 50,000 francs received from Valasto, Reinach'sagent, and his (Rouvier's) »rote on the Lottery Bill. M. Blowitz says that the sentences passed on Ferdinand de Lesseps and Fontaine are a piece of cruelty, and it was never shown that they were actuated by personal motive, and the judges inflicting the severe punishment were simply playing to the gallery. Ferdinand de Lesseps will probably fje pardoned. Received February 11, 10.50 p.m.) Paris, February 10. All tha Panama Company directors have given notice of appeal. The Paris papers protest against the infliction of the maximum penalty on the two De Lesseps, and clamour for the pardcnof M. Ferdinand, who they declare is imbecile arid unconscious of the meaning of the sentence.