A TORTURE-CHAMBER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 11 June 1907, Page 1

A TORTURE-CHAMBER.

Describing ti« torturo-chsmber for politicai- prisoners at Eiga, the "Tribune" correspondent.'writea : — "lo.tha middle of .the .torture chamber is a long wooden .'bench, fitted with stout "striips, JbjuisirHich the prisoners are fastened to the "bench. Along tbo waDs of • th» room :Hang » number of guttapercha rods fiUea wiUi lead. Eaclx of thece rods is given a special namo by the> executioners Ono is known as, 'God, Bless us' ;. another as 'God'a r Grace,' and'«6 ; on; tKey'are'also . called l 'pipki.' Side% side with them .■} hang pincersj iron jackets, long-needles, iron rods, covered -with Jar,, and various other ; instruments of- tortiire;-f or instance,, 'screwing.; cuffs,'- -which, are haiid r . cuffs with a; screw attached, by means of wbich the wrists. may ha absolutely crushed. ■ '. " '

"The tortures.are -performed byabout 15 persons, undeVvihe. direction of : tho Chief of Political. Police, . "If the refuses to confess ;to .the crime -of which he' is 'accused, he js immediately stripped 36. the. skin.. and ;.j stretched ' upon' ine--benclr; -His limbs .are fastened' by the:. straps, while a' w,et rag is stuffed into his mouth in order to. muffle his shrieks. '.<■ •■ ',•■,' ' 'The victim-, is first -beaten ' upon head and body with the gutta-percha roo^s,salt being sprinHSd upon-ahe ■ bleeding -wounds from time/ 'ft^time; rafter which; the torture recommences. .-VWhen _. tna victim-loses consciousness he: is revived by water arid ammonia. The prisoner a 1 finger and toe nails! 'are torn oufeone after another, the veins- upon * his -arms ■ and legs are piercedUhrough^with tl»9 lone needles, his hairs-: are pulled out singly or in patches;?. If "the 'prisoner of flesh from his body -with red-hot pm cers, Ms- teetK areJmocked ouV and unmentionable injuries are perpetrated." ■■■■•■■;■■■;■.. . '