The Warwickshire Herald. — 1899-11-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

HORRORS OF .A FRENCH PENAL SETTLEMENT. One outcome of the Dreyfus case, or rather of the conscientious agitation which it aroused, was the release, says the Paris correspondent of the Si. James's Gazette, with a free pardon of the convict Eugene Rorique, whose obvious innocence has been frequently insisted on in the French and Belgian papers. Rorique, a Belgian, was a fine specimen of the adventurous sailor. and he, with his brother, had been accused, on the unsupported evidence of a ' black cook, of murder and piracy on the high seas. The record of both Roriques was a brilliant one, and they held numerous medals for saving life. But this did not avail them, and they were both condemned to death. So strong, however, was the doubt in their favour that their punishment was commuted to penal servitude for life; and after Dreyfus release M. Loubet pardoned Eugene Rorique, the survivor of the two brothers, In obedience to the strong pressure of public opinion both here and in Belgium. Rorique, who has returned home, has drawn a terrible picture of life in the penal settlement at Cayenne, the governor ot which was that amiable M. Deniel who helped to torture Dreyfus. One warder, a man named Boninie had a dislike for a convict who was too weak and ill to do his task. "Dig your grave!" said the warder to the wretched man one day. The convict thought this was a joke. "Dig it!" shouted his tormentor savagely; six feet by four." The convict executed the task. "Now kneel down," said the warder, after examining the grave. Feeling that his last hour had come, the convict made a piteous appeal for mercy. "You make me tired," said the warder, and, drawing his revolver, shot the man dead. Then, kicking the corpse into the grave, "Now bury that carcase!" he called to some other convicts who had witnessed the scene. M. Deniel contented himself with transferring Bonini to another prison as the sole punishment for his crime, and the latter ' is still a warder at Cayenne. Another convict was : shot dead at sight by a warder for refusing to throw away a cigarette he had been smoking, and another ! was shot dead in the ranks for munching a piece of bread.  The Belgian Major Fivet, in the service of the Congo Free State, who was lately brought before • Court-martial at Boma on charges of cruelty to the negroes, is now on his way to Europe. He is belio-ee to have been acquitted by the Court-martial.  Captain de Gerlache has arrived at Antwerp on board the Belgic& from his scientific cruise to the South Pole. The explorer, his officers, and men met with a hearty reception. A labourer named Alfred Cusworth, aged twentyone, was charged at Sheffield with complicity lii , breaking into the premises of a local pawnbroker. A constable surprised the gang of men engaged in endeavouring to effect an entrance to the shop, and tackled them single-handed. He stuck determinedly to one, but the others, among whom he alleged was the prisoner, who was arrested later, escaped. The prisoner was remanded. k.'art Carrington has, with regret, declined the mayoralty of High Wycombe, Bucks, owing to his numerous engagetnents. The concluding cub-hunting meet of the Belvoir Pack at Scalford, was marred by an unfortunate accident to Mr. 11. Brassey, 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards Blue. During the run be was heavily thrown io ath nutting to open a gat", and in addition to having two ribs brken, w, hi• bed on the head. The death is antioui.red of Sir Josiah Bee,. f Justice of Bermuda.  Three of the County Limerick FaXii()Unl;S N, poisoned on Saturd ly while hunting at Knockaderry. and died.  - -• Mr. Moses Primo, of Divitlenhno En I. who eitioyed • reputo as a famous sheep bre..:ler, is dead. The Duthlenhoe flocks is, et• al milli en ioved celebrity.