The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-30

)RK HERALD, SATURDAY
from the nth to the 26th Of March. The xontteur
o. ire 25tl oi March, IN It's shipping news no;ihes
that the three-nasted Brit sh vessel r. c. E., 291
tons, d. Law. muster left Noumea for Newcastle.
In ballast, with one passenger, Mr.. W.. Suther-
land. NJ mention IS mace Of the Six Communist
stowaways, whose escape would appear, up to the
nists a. large. Az the time OF the departure oil the
p q. E. the Governor was absent from the chez
s ss on one o. his siclal visits to the penal estaS
came back 10 Noumea III The transport
Cher on Monday, the 2sd nit, amer having
r. Q. E., IN which the Blk Communist prs-
S5sfs escaped P1s 70 sea on the Friday before
House. The Comm,ssary OF the Marine M. lie
Clos, accompanied the Governor on this oniclal
VISIT 10 the outer penal stations, during which the
state prisoners escaped. The steam transport
Vlre, which mad been despatched to give assist
ance to those VINO were shlpwrecked In the Gath
before the r. q. 4. left for Newcastle; and on the
same day, me l9tn, the steam gunDoat Rapiere
OF the Island. The vre left Noumea again for the
Isles Pines on the 20tn-tne day the P. O. E. sailed
for New castle.the Rap!ere also leaving for lomo.
Bourake and uarai on the day after the escape OF
and me Rapere aunboat appear theTefore,
in the harbor when the the P. q. 4. LETT
Noumen The gunboat Bayonnette was absent
from Canada until the ed Of March. french
merchantmen, named the Coo gu Village, came to
anchor on Noumea on the ieth, and TWO other
when the p. O. f. lett. The M0nfteur which re-
ports the departure Of the vessel In which the
prisoners escaped also publsned the announce
ment that Governor de la Ricnerie 10y an ordi-
nance OF the 7th OF January, 1874 has been pro-
OF Honor. person who has made several visits
to Noumea In vessels trading to that port states
cape OF Communists (which he says Is o very COM
mon occurrence) the authorities report that "they
have not missed any.n
SO far the escapes have kept their future move
menrs with the greatest reticence from the public
Interview with M. Henri Rochefort.
SYDNEY, April IL, 1874.
Profound astonishment, coupled with consider
able incredulity, was occasioned in the community
on the 9th ult., when rumors became current that
several French prisoners, escaped from Noumea
New Caledonia) had that morning arrived at
Newcastle in one Of the cattle ships trading be.
tween the two ports. The first ntimation as to
the important character Of the escapes was sup
piled by themselves in brief telegram to the Sgd
ney Herald.
simultaneously with its receipt arrived another
message from the French Vice Consul to his cher
confirming the news, and upon this at once made
arrangements to proceed to Newcastle and learn
particulars OF the escape From this was de-
tered by learning that ii went should probably
pass them on the voyage. Altering my arrange
ments accordingly, was patiently awaiting the
arrival OF the regular passenger steamer by which
they were expected, when discovered that three
French gentlemen, supposed to be OF NJ. Roche
forts party, who had In BY one of the outside
boats. had proceeded to Courvoisiers Hotel. Hail.
ing the first cab, drove to the well known French
Gaze, inquired II NJ. Rochefort was in, received an
affirmative reply, asked the proprletress to send
up my card, to which she replied, ut Is no use sir,
they have already refused to see the newspaper
people, but intend next week setting apart day
Tor receptions" Next week, thought L. they may
be 1000 miles away, either on their voyage to
Europe or the still worse acknowledgment In
the hands OF the French authorities, en-
route for their late island prison. No,
was not to be blu1ed in that way.
Pulling out my card case, supplemented my
name with the afix NEW YORK HERALD corre-
spOndcnt and, again facing the worthy lady, asked
II she would "hand that inn Twisting the card
nervously, she bandly told me, ut is no use, sir;
they won't see any one." MY rejoinder-"Per.
haps SO, but you can hardly refuse sending in my
card'-induced her to call waiter and forward it
as desired. An instant after o foreign looking
gentleman came from their room, and grasping me
warmly By the hand said, in good English, I'M.
Rochefort will be delighted to see you. Come this
way" Following my guide, who for prudential
reasons desires 10 remain a'acOgntCO, until he has
finished his business at NOumea. l was ushered
into the presence OF three distinguished looking
iose.gaegs a TAXING the SITUATION asa glance
remarkable looking Of the group. My guess
proved correct. introducnons were followed
escape, and their expression OF obligations
Tor the interest Mr.. Bennett had previously taken
n obtaining TOR the readers Of the new Yong
the Communists. When said NJ. Rochefort is the
most remarkable man OF the three did SO simply
n If Ia a a
slightly above the middle height, spare but
powerfully framed, with splendid head, upon
numerous gray hairs. A high, prominent ana
round forehead rises pair OF deep-set, large
with nervous viyaclty upon the least excitement.
Nose prominent, terminating In q peculiarly
curved point, heavy mustacne, small 9oatee and
impression that ne - as warm friend as he IS
dangerous foe. NJ. Joarae is about the same
height OF siighter bniid, has thoughtful, intel
lectuai lace, 10 which light full beard gives q
Ieutonc rather than Gallo cast NJ. Grousset is
shorter, darker, and apparently possessed Of y
camer, more welghty intellect than his cOryteres
man who Is particular in costume, but in coun.
to them tenaciousy, and is the only one or the
three who knows anything about the English IAN
guage. NJ Rochef0rr having informed me that the
to your representative, and finding tete-d-tets
disturbed by some visitors irom New Caledonia, rs
well as hearing that from the time OF leaving Nou.
mea until then their only rep0se was such az
could be obtained In sail locker, arranged for a
private interview next Gay. Punctual to appoint
ment, met NJ RochefOrt with his Noumean friend,
whom Tor the nonce shalt term his interpreter,
as, In fact, he Is only known as such TO the outside
public. MN. GrOusset and Joarde joined us in q
few moments, and, alter exchanging the compli.
ments OF the day, said to M. Rocheiort :--SFrom
your experience OF the voyage out ana at New
Caledonia how 40 you consider the deportes are
M. MISUNDERSTANDING I have been well
treated, put that Is not the general rule. Food
bad, long voyage In cages made with iron bars. !
NJ Gr0usset was 162 days on the passage inciud- I
ing four weeks anchored at the Cape OF Good
Hope aud during all that time the d6pOrtes were
never allowed to leave their cages for exercise or
air. At New Caledonia they get very small ratlons
OF bread and meat now. At arst they were
allowed to work and were paid for It. They could
then buy what they required. About SIX months
ago y despatch, sent from Versailles in ApEil, was
received at NOumea informing the Governor that
900 francs, granted in 1872 as payment for
work done by the deportGs, would not be allowed
any longer, because the governments Would not re-
new the scandaioua dtelters ndtsOn0str That