FRANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2450, 12 January 1893, Page 1

FRANCE.

Paris, Jan. 9. During the course of the preliminaries against the Panama Canal directors, M. Fraqueville confronted Chas. DeLesseps, Fountain, Cotto, Blondin, and Baihaut, and a vehement hubub ensued, each giving the other the lie. Nothing tangible transpired during the hearing. A sub-committee reported that there was nothing illegal in the manner in which the Panama Canal Company organised petitions to Parliament, booming their loans. It is reported that Blondin has confessed to cashing cheques to the value of a million francs fromßaihaut's account, but the latter denies the statement. A further general fall has taken place on the Bourse, and the fear of fresh revelations is increasing daily. The general belief is that Baihaut is guilty of the charge of having been bribed. M. Baihaut implicates President Carnot in the Panama scandals. It is stated that Sherman, a member of a Paris secret society, who neglected the orders of the society, was traced for a decade and eventually murdered in Michigan, United States. Murray, a colleague, has confessed to tho crime. Owing to the apathy displayed by the Comte do Paris, the Royalists suggest that he should abdicate, and that the Due D'Orleans be chosen his substitute. In futuro the polico will attend all Anarchist meetings held in Paris, fully empowered to disperse the gatherings. Jan. 10. The Bourse remains depressed, and an emeute is feared on the reassembling of of the Chamber of Deputies, Artillery have been summoned to hold themselves in readiness to clear the streets. The Panama Committee are searching the Foreign Office for evidence. The Government have decided to prosecute M. Baihaut, ex-Minister of Public Works, T. r ho has been arrested. Previous to his arrest ho had a long interview with M. Franzeiile. Several arrests have been made in Paris in connection with the recent discovery of infernal machines.