M. Ribot has declared in strong terms his confidence in
M. Loubet, who was at the time of Madame Cotta's visit M. Soinomy's superior ; but he has at last been attacked himself on grounds which he only rebuts by pleading patriotism. M. Andrienx, ex-Prefect of Police, has always declared that he possessed evidence which would crush a certain "M. X—," but would conceal the name until a fitting time. It was, how- ever, stated in Madame Cottu's salon that" M. X—" concealed the name of the "Ambassador of a friendly Power," doubt- less the one repeatedly mentioned during the progress of the scandal. M. Ribot, hearing this, thought it his duty, as head of the Government, to beg the head of the Bar (M. du Bait), to ask M. Martini, counsel for the defendants in the Assize Court, to remember French interests, and keep the identity of "M. X—" concealed. M. Martini replied directly that he would, comply, all the more readily, because, to his know- ledge, the personage in question had never been mixed up in Panama affairs. That is a suggestive incident. M. Ribot was, we imagine, quite right, considering the interests at stake and the sacredness of the diplomatic character ; but he must have thought the accusation probable, or he would never have interfered. Prirad facie, the charge against the Ambassador is unlikely to be true. M. Andrieux is clearly striking p.1 regime, and is too intelligent not to know that if he covered all European Embassies with mud, he would not advance his ob- jects one hair's-breadth. It must be some one of rank in French politics whom he is menacing with that sealed envelope of his.
