Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-11-22

THE FATE OF a FRENCH WAR CORRESPOND
ENT IN THE EAST.

THE FATE OF a FRENCH WAR CORRESPOND
ENT IN THE EAST.
A terrible example has been made
in Tonquip, where the French war
against the Chinese is being carried
on. One of the special correspond
,ents attacked to the expedition now
in the field was Camille Farcy, well
known as o brilliant writer. He had
long been connected with La France
one of the leading journals. The
army which be was detailed to ac-
company was that Of General Forge
mol The officer is martinez, and
entertains the most rigid ideas re-
garding discipline. Before the expedi
tionary force landed he in conjunc-
ton with General Vincendon, concoc-
ted the following pledge, which all
the journalists were obliged to sign:
I---,promise upon my honor to
transmit no information whatever,
either by telegraph or mail, or by any
other means, without first having
submitted my manuscript to the off
Ger commanding the expedition, or to
such officer or officers as he may del
egate that power to. | further agree
that any failure to keep this pledge
will expose me to the rigors of mar
tial law.
This document was signed by oil
the correspondents attached to the
expedition. When Farcy's turn came
he took the pen, but it was with evil
dent reluctance that he signed. When
he had done so, he said to Forge
mol General, I sign this document
only because / am forced to do So;
because, without doing so, I could
not fulfill my duty as a correspond
ent because, with doing so, I could
not
ACCOMPANf THE EXPEDITION.
But / warn you, sir, that / shall
| speak the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, touching such
matters as may come under my OBJ
servation.' And with defiant
glance at the general gnawed his
grizzled moustache to conceal his
wrath. He did what, perhaps, most
men would have done-he set spy
to dog the footsteps of Farcy. The
expedicnt was successful Two even
ings after the spy detected the Jour
nalist, under disguise, quitting the
camp. He followed and saw him de-
post large envelope in one of the
minor post Offices upon the frontier
He was at once arrested and con-
| Quoted to ForgemoPs headquarters.
"Aha" said the general, "at it alrea-
dy my fine fellow? Well, what have
we here,n and he seized and broke
open the envelope. "Hum-address-
ed to La france. Evidently some
correspondence which you were send
ing withoutmy knowledge
Eyes general" said Farcy, calmly.
"Let us sec what it u.s." said Forge
mol, as he began to persue the letter.
General said Farcy, coldly, "per-
NIT me to remind you that you are
violating private correspondence"
Private correspondence? Bah y
retorted Forgemol. every private,
indeed All Paris would know it in
another day. and he
! RESUMED HIS BEADING.
There were some severe structures
in the letter upon the conduct of the
campaign. Forgemol's reading was
interrupted by oaths, and when he
finished, he was purple with rage.
80, y he said grimly, ''you consider
, yourself competent to Judge of the
operations of a general in the field !,
do you? Well, sir, you shall have
a taste of martial law to add to your
knowledge Of military affairs"
Farcy disdained todefend himself
A court-martial was Immediately