Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-02-17
Fate OF a French War Correspond
ent ia the East
a Severe Example Of Military Discipline s
1onquis--senteaeed .sfo he shot At
sax"-The Journalist aud
the General.


eitoftdl1s tho iutst q Sid HiodS iSs5 AZ Nih5
discipline. Before the expedItionar force
landed he, in conjunction with Genera
Vincendon, eoncOeted the following
pledge, which ali the Journalists were
obliged TO sign;
IL - -, promise upon my honor TO
transmit no information whatever, either
by telegraph or mail or by any other means
without first having submitted my manu-
script co the OH Ger commanding the expe
d.tion, or 10 such officer or officers as he
may delegate that power TO. further agree
that any failure To keep this pledge will ex-
pose me 10 the rigors OF martial law
This document was signed by all thecor.
respondents attached TO the expedition
When Farcy's turn came he took the pen,
but it was with evident reluctance that hf
signed When he had done SO he said Il
Forgerlol:
General, l sign this document only be
cause | am forced TO do so; because with
out doing so L could not fulfill my duty az
a correspondent; because without doing 50
/ could not accompany the expedition. Bu'
/ warn you, sir, that l shall speak tn
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
oucu lidttcio 40 ma Soihe
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,
he set spy to dog the footsteps OF Farcy.
The expedient was successful. Two
evenings after the spy detected the jour
nalist under a disguise, quitting the camp.
He followed and saw him deposit large
envelope iii one of the minor Post offices
upon the frontier. He was at once arrest
ed and conducted to ForgemoPs headquar-
ters.
"Aha" said the General, sat it already
my fine fellow? Well, what have we
here?" and he seized and broke open the
envelope. "Hum-adIressed 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 Eorgemol
as he began TO peruss the letter.
General" said Farcy, coldly, 'permt
me to remind you that you are violating
private correspondence"
Private correspondence! Ball." re-
torted ForgelHol. Very private, indeed
All Paris would know it in another day."
and he resumed his reading.
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" said he, grimly, "you consider
al To ind
tions OF General in the field, do your
Wen, sir, you shall have taste of martial
law to add to your knowledge OF military
affairs.n
Farcy disdained to defend himself. A
court martial was Immediately convened.
Its proceedings were sumnary-its sem
tence short: Camille Farcv Is condemned
To be shot at six III the morning.
1t was then midnight. Tho doomed man
was placed in charge of Lieutenant and
squad OF soldiers, put upon special
tram, and was borne swiftly into the
capital city, where the execution was TO
take place.
At haIi-past five O'Clock the train dashed
into the city. 1t passed under the walls of
the palace where a bert Grevy, the Gov
dows We're brightly lighted, aud the
strains of "a waltz were borne to the ears
OF the prisoner. The Governor was Civ
ing bali.
~ on have half an hour in which to pre-
pare for DEATH" said the Lieutenant, COM
passionately. Nv ould you like to have me
send for priests"
II suppose" said Farcy, "you will grant
my last requests"
"Yes.n
Then let me 20 to the ball. l would
like to have a waltz before die"
The officer bowed and repaired to NJ
Grevy's palace.
''fis reques. shall be granted" said the
Presidents brother. "Nho could refuse a
dying mans request? Bring him hero; he
shall dance with my daughter"
And IL was done. The last moments OF
ais life were spent on ballroom floor.
At six O'Clock the officer spoke.
THE file is waiting" said he.
Let us CO." said Farcy. lie saluted the
dancers and withdrew. When he reached
the ground where the file was waiting him
he refused to allow his ewes to lie ban.
daged, and demanded permss ssion to give
| the word OF command.
May all journalists do as l have done, '
said ne; cit is tseir duty Then, folding
his arms, he cried:
"Flrei"
The crash Of the musk cts rang out on the
morning sir. Camille Farcy fell dead
pierced with balls
The vengeance Of General Forgemol was
accomplished.