Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-02-04
A SEVERE SENTENCE.
Fate Of a French War Correspond,
ent In the East
A severe Example of Military Discipline Ia
Ionqain-senteneed ssTo Bs Shot ~
six@-The Journalist aud
the General


brilliant writer He had iOng been con-
nected with La Frdace, one Of the leading
journals. The army which be WIS de-
tailed % accompany was that OF General
ForgemOl The officer is martinez and
entertains the most rigid ideas regarding
discipline. Before the exped tionary force
landed he, in conjunction with Genera
Vincendon, concocted the following
pledge, which all the journalists were
obliged 10 sign;
Il, - -, promise upon my honor 10
transmit no Information whatever, either
by telegraph or mail. or by any other means
without first having submitted my manu-
script 20 the ofticer commanding the expe
dltion, or 70 such officer or officers as he
may delegate that power 10. further agree
that any failure to keep this pledge Will ex
pose NE TO the rigors of martial law.
This document was signed by all the cor
respondents attached To the expedition
When Farcy's turn came he took the pen,
but it was with evident reluctance that he
signed. When he had done so he said II
Forgemol:
General, | sign this document only be
cause | am forced TO do so; because with
out doing so | could not fulfill my duty al
a correspondent; because without doing so
| could not accompany the expedition. Bu'
/ warn you, sir, that | shall speak tn
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, touching such matters as may come
under my observation"
And, with a defiant look 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,
be set spy to dog the footsteps of Farcy.
The expedient was successful. Two
evenings after the spy detected the jour-
nolist under disguise, quitting the camp.
He followed and saw him deposit large
envelope in one of the minor Post-oftices
upon the frontier. He was at once arrest
ed and conducted to Forgemol's headQuar-
ters.
"Aha" said the General, "at 1t already,
my tine fellow? Well, what have we
here:" and he seized and broke open the
envelope. "Hum-addresse ed to La France.
Evidently some correspondence which you
were sending without my knowledge"
'Yes, General" said Farcy, calmly.
.'Let us see what it is," said Forgemol
as he began to peruse the letter
General" said Farcy, coldly, 'permt
me TO remind you that you are violating
private correspondence"
Private correspondence. Bah !" re-
torted Forgen.ol. Very private, indeed
All Paris would know it in another day."
and he resumed his reading.
There were some severe structures in the
or tha of ha i'm.
Forgemol's reading was Interrupted by
oaths, and when be liu.shed he was purple
with rage.
49," said he, grimly, ''you consider
yourself competent to judge OF the opera
tions oi a General in the field, do youy
Wen, sir, you shall have taste OF martial
law To add TO your knowledge of military
affairs"
Farcy disdained to defend himself.
urt-martial was Immediately conv ened.
Its proceedings were summary-its sem
tence snort: Camille Farcy is condemned
To be shot at six in the morning"
1t was then midnight. The doomed man
was placed in cilarge of Lieutenan- and
a squad OF soldiers, put upon a special
tram, and was borne swiftly into the
capital city, where the execution was to
take place.
Al half-past five O'Clock the train dashed
into the city. 1t passed under the walls OF
the palace, where Albert Grevy, the Gov
ernor- General, lives in state. The win
dows were brightly lighted, and the
strains of waltz were borne to the ears
| of the prisoner. The Governor was Civ
ing "a ball.
You have half an hour in which to pre-
| pare for DEATH" said the Lieutenant, COM
| passIonately. "Would you like Ia have me
| send for priest!"
Il suppose" said Farcy, "you will grant
my last request"
Yes"
''Then let me go to the ball. would
| Ike to have "a waltz before die"
The officer bowed and repaired TO NJ.
! Grevy's palace.
'Iiis reques5 shall bc granted" said the
| Presidents brother. "Who could refuse a
dying mans request? Bring him here; be
shall dance with my daughter
| And it was done. The last moments of
ais life were spent ON "A ball room floor.
At six o'clock the officer spoke.
1.-The Gle is waiting" said be.
| Let Us CO. said Farcy. He saiuted the
dancers and withdrew. When he reached
! the ground where the Gle was waiting him
he refused TO allow bis eyes to be ban
daged, and demanded permission to give
| the word OF command.
May all journalists do as l have done, :"
said he: ''it is their duty" Then. folding
bis arms, be cried.
Fire."
The crash of the muskets rang out on the
morning air. Camille Farcy fell dead,
/ pierced with balls.
| The vengeance Of General Forgemol was
accomplished