A FRENCH STEAMER DISASTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 179, 31 July 1903, Page 3

A FRENCH STEAMER DISASTER.

PAINFUL SCENE AT VICTIM'S

FUNERAL.

A regrettable incident occurred at the funeral at Marseilles last month of the five victims* of the collision between the steamers Liban and Insulaire.

AH Marseilles was in mourning, and every vessel in the port had its flag at half-mast. The coffins were covered with beautiful wreaths presented by the Prefecture and the Municipal Council, M. Fraissinet, one of the owners of the Liban and Insulaire, and the Corsioan colony of Toulon. It is estimated that over a quarter of a million of people lined the streets between the Hotel Dieu and tKe oemetery.

The service took plage in the Cathedral, the Bishop of Marseilles giving the final absolutions.

At the cemetery touching addresses were delivered by the Mayor of Marseilles in the name of the city, by the Prefect in the name of the Government, by Admiral Rouvier, and by M. Emmanuel Arene, Deputy. The incident referred to then occurred. M. Colombo, in the name of the Young Corsican group, stepped forward, and made a violent speech, attacking the owners of the two steamboats as directly responsible for the awful event. Tn a state of great agitation M. Fraissinet said that, nothwithstanding the profound sorrow which filled his heart, he could not let such words be uttered without pro test* That was not a moment to speak of responsibilities. He would be the first to demand that they should be placed on the shoulders of those who deserved them. For the present he could only mingle his tears with the tears of those who had been so cruelly tried, A voice then shouted, "It is the first time that one sees assassins come to weep over the coffins of their victims." At this the Mayor pro tested, and retired in company with the General, Deputies, and Admiral Rouvier. A most painful impression was caused by such an unseemly termination of the ceremony.