The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-27

WIFI the torture OF tne ldStenlngS ana tne
chastsement OF the savages, none who have
ever experienced capture win risk a second.
Up TO the end of 1871 there were only two penal
depots-the precpice at Ducos peninsula, short
distance northward OF Noumea and lie M. Two
extensive barracks surrounded by q number OF
wooden huts formed the precipice station where
the bulk Of the convicts were detained. To lie NJ
were sent only the worst class OF criminals. the
creme de Ia creme Of French rascality. and those
who had escaped or belonged to the inquiet section.
or the latter there were not many. sky brighter
than that of sunny France, climate singulary
healthy moderate amount OF freedom in their
prison and anticipations OF a ticket of leave as
reward for good conduct tended to keep order.
All but the most reckless knew that there was
NO HOPE OF ESCAPE. EITHER BY SEA OR LAND.
Such was the existing state OF things when M.
de Ia Richerie received orders from Versailles to
prepare accommodation for at least two thousand
dGpoft6s at the lie de Pines, situate about thirty
miles south OF the main island, from which 1t differs
very little In character, except that In no
portion does 1t rise TO any great height above
the ocean. Rich chocolate soil, covered with
rank tropical vegetation, was what met the eyes
OF the first detachment OF convict laborers sent
there from the precipce. The island was first set
tied on by Mr. Padou, Sydney and South Sea
Island trader, who married the daughter OF Poly
nesian Chief erected some buildings and made 1t
the headquarters OF his island trade. On Mr..
Padou's death the place became almost abandoned
until the French authorities considered 1t would be
polite to annex 1t, by purchasing the interest OF
the Padou family. A brief period seemed to clear
the space requisite for a number OF wooden huts,
which, In due course, arrived nom France by the
Sybille; supplies OF food were imported and
tracts made for regular shipments OF cattle from
New South Wales and Queensland. All was pre-
pared Tor the reception OF the exiles, when on the
morning of October 4, 1872, the transport Danae
arrived, bringing 1877 deportes,
THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE VERSAILLES TRIALS
On board ship they were treated exactly the
same as the worst convicts sent from Toul0n. Each
was secured in a separate cell on the lower deck,
from whence they were taken in parties OF seven
for exercise on the upper deck when the weather
permitted. These prisoners were all OF the our11er
class, and on, arrival, number Of them
were applied for by residents Of Noumea.
The applications were granted, with this
stipuati0n-that or the wages paid, the
government should take fifty per cent. The next
arrivals were those by the steam transports Guer-
riere and Garonne. both OF which reported at Nou-
mea during the first week in November. They
brought 351 prisoners, all OF whom, except seventy
TOUR, were for the lie de Pines. Among the ex-
ceptions were number OF those who figured
prominently on the night OF the Oath OF May, and
M. Assy, once member OF the Communist govern
ment.
A TURBULENT SPIRIT
is this man Assy The few days brief authority he
possessed in Paris imbued his naturally vain and
restless nature with an overweening sense OF his
own Importance. This exhibited itself the first
hour he spent aboard the ship, and after being
checked by few days. NAL de Yer, broke out
with greater violence at Dakhar on the Senegal
coast, where they stopped to reft Here it came
NJ.
what he considered chance to increase his celeb
rlty either by drowning himself or being honored
by recapture, rushed to an open port and jumped
overheard need hardly say that his period Of
liberty was BRIEF or that the remainder OF the
voyage was rendered more comfortable by 1t. By
the Guerrere came also Colonel Alleyron, empower
ed by special ordinance to assume the office OF
Military Communicable control OF the naval
division being sttll retained by the Governor. Both
these officials left for the lie de Pines November
8, and found the exss busily engaged construct
| ing additional ACCOMMODATION, the wooden huts
having been found insufficient number OF others
built OF wooden poles inserted in the ground, plas-
| tered on botn sides with mud, and rooted with
grass. &C, were added Each OF these is intended
to accommodate fifty men.
M. BoUrIN, CoMMANDANT OF THE ISLAND,
has no sympathy for his prisoners, neither has NJ.
Rlcherie. Bonapartist, who VIII never forget how
the "Reds' treated the vend0me column During
December the virgine brought TT Communists
ana 25 female convicts the Aceste 1872 exiles. On
February 9, the Var arrived from Rochefort with
576 Communists. under the charge OF M. Lavoux
and corps OF surveiants specially engaged to or
ganize the several convict departments on new
basis Two days prior to their arrival, the Sybille
arrived on her annual voyage from Toulon with
1913 convicts for the Peninsula and lie M. There
are
TWO CLASSES AMONG THE COMMUNISTS.
One consists Of those whose crimes were simply
political; the other embraces all who were con-
victed Of breaches of the law. Towards the former
the authorities evince disposition rather friendly
than otherwise. One or two have been allowed to
go into business at Noumea; others propose turn
ing planters soon as they can obtain the neces-
sary funds from Paris. or the first deport6s en-.
gagged by residents of the main island hardly man
remained. The work performed cheerfully at first
was found too tiresome, the town regulations too
strict, and the slight amount OF isolation which
they felt became less endurable than living at the
island with their coretrcres. There was solitary
attempt to escape. One man took to the bush,
where he eluded capture by selecting as his lair
scrub SO close to the town that no one dreamed of
searching it. Here he subssted on roots and
berries for some days, until in an unlucky hour
he decided to vary his fare by the plumber
OF some citizens larder. lie uoleur was
In the act OF carrying ont his design
when a gendarms perforated him. In round
numbers there are now 1000 Communists at lie de
Pines guarded by about two hundred infantry.
One Of the gunboats from the capital visits the
station periodically, and by her, as favor. nom
Official can obtain passage. II he imagines that
by going there he will get any information
he makes a mistake He can see the exiles
employed at various avocations, may examine
their quarters, under the espionage Of oficer or
one OF his interiors, but no questions can be asked,
except 1t be OF a commonplace character.
THE ..REDsr TENDING TO RIOT
| Rumors have been current that several regular
| outbreaks have been already prevented by warn
ings conveyed TO the onicias. These Reds have
| already proved themselves insane enough for any,