National Republican., 1884-11-05
"ro BE SHOT DEAD Ar srx.o


The Fate OF French War Corre-
Epondcnt In tho East-A Severe Ex-
ample OF Military Discipline In
Topquin-IIow Camille Farcy EN-
countcrcd the Fatal III VIII OF Gen.
Forgemol.
Paris Figaro.
A terrible example hns been made in
Tonquin. One Of tho special correspond
onts attached TO the expedition now in
tho field was Camille Farcy, we'll known
as brilliant writer. Ho had long been
connected with la France, one of tho lead
ing journals. The army which he was
detailed to accompany was that Of Con.
Forgemol. The officer is martinez, and
entertains the rigid ideas regarding dis
cipline. Before the expeditionary force
landed he, in conjunction with Gen. Vim
cendon. concocted the following pledge
which all tho journalists were obliged to
sign:
], - 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 tho officer command
ing the expedition, or to such officer or
officers as he may delegate that power to.
l further agree that any failure TO keep
this pledge will expose me to the rigors
of martial law.
This document was signed by all the
correspondents attached to the expedi-
tion. When Farcy's turn came, he took
the pen, but it was with evident reluct.
ance that ho signed. When he had done
80, he said to Forgemol:
General sign this document only
because / am forced to do so; because,
without doing so, / could not fulfill my
duty AS correspondent; BECAUSE without
doing SO, l could not accompany the OK
petition. 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 obserya-
tion." And with defiant glance at the
general Camille withdrew.
The old general gnawed his grizzled
mustache to conceal his wrath. He did
what, perhaps, most men would have
done-he set a spy to dog the footsteps Of
Farcy.
The expedient was successful Two
evenings after the spy detected the jour
nalist, under disguise, quitting the
camp. He followed aud saw him deposit
n large envelope in one of the minor post.
offices upon the frontier. He was at once
arrested and conducted to Forgemols
headquarters.
Aha" said the general, "at it already,
my fino fellow Well, what have we
hore?" and he seized and broke open tho
envelope. "Hum--addressed to La France.
Evidently some correspondence which
you were sending without my knowl-
edge"
"Yos, General" said Farcy, calmly.
Let us see what it is" said Forgemol,
as he began to peruse the letter.
General" SAID Farcy, coldly, "permit
mo to remind you that you are violating
private correspondence"
Private correspondence Bah +" re-
torted Forgemol. Very private, indeed
All Paris would know ii in another day."
and he resumed his reading.
There were some severe structures in
the letter upon the conduct of the cam
paign. Forgemols reading was inter
rupted by oaths. and when he finished he
was purple with rage.
80" said he, grimly, you consider
yourself competent to judge of the opera
tions Of general in the field, do you?
Well, sir, you shall have taste of martial
law to add to your knowledge Of military
affairs"
Farcy disdained to defend himself. A
court-martial was Immediately convened.
Its proceedings were summary-its SEN
tence short: Camille Farcy is condemned
|. to be shot at six in the morning."
1t was then midnight. The doomed
man was placed in charge of lieutenant
and squad of soldiers, put upon a
special train aud was borne swiftly into
tho capital city, where the execution was
to take place.
At half-past 8 o'clock the train dashed
into the city. IL passed under the walls
of the palace where Albert Grevy, the
governor general, lives in state. The
windows were brightly lighted, and the
strains Of a waltz were borne to the ears
of the prisoner. The governor was giving
q ball.
you have half an hour in which to
prepare for DEATH" said the lieutenant,
compassionately. "Would you like to
have me send for priest {"
II suppose" said Farcy, "you will
grant my last requestT
"Yes."
"Then let me go tho ball. would like
to have waltz before de-"
Tho officer bowed, and repaired to NJ.
Grevy's palace.
presidents brother. "Who could refuse
dying mans request? Bring him here;
ho shall dance with my daughter"
And it was done. The last moments Of
his life were spent on a ballroom floor.
AT o'clock the officer spoke:
"The file is waiting" said he.
Let us 60" said Farcy. He saluted
the dancers and withdrew. When he
reached the ground were the file was
waiting him, he refused to allow his eyes
to be bandaged, and demanded permission
to give the word of command.
May all journalists do as have DONE"
said he; "it is their duty" Then, fold
ing his arms, he cried:
"Firew
Tho crash of the muskets rang out on
the morning air. Camille Farcy fell dead,
pierced with balls.
The vengeance of Gen. Formogol was
accomplished.
A Lord in Fix.
From he autobiography Of Lord MalmeSbury.