MARSHAL BAZAINE'S ESCAPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4221, 30 September 1874, Page 3

MARSHAL BAZAINE'S ESCAPE.

The following are the particulars of the escape of Marshal Bazaine from his prison on the Isle of St. Marguerite, lately received : The apartment occupied by Bazaine opened on a terrace, which was built on the edge of a precipitous cliff, overhanging the sea. A aentry was posted on the terrace with orders to watch the prisoner's every movement. During Sunday evening the Marshal walked upon the terrace with Colonel Vilette, his aide-de-camp. At 10 o'clock he retired as usual, apparently to sleop; but before daybreak he had effected his escape. He must have crossed the terrace at the dead of night, and eluding the sentinel, gained the edge of the precipice, whence, by means of a knotted rope, he descended to the sea. He evidently slipped during the descent, and tore his hands, as the rope was found stained with blood in various places. Under the cliff, in a hired boat, were Bazaine's wife and cousin. They received him as he reached the water, and Madame la MarechaL taking the oara herself, rowed directly to the strange steamer which had been lying off the island since the previous evening. They reached the vessel in safety, were taken aboard, and the steamer put to sea. It is thought they landed at Genoa, as the Bteamer proceeded in that direction. The

first news of the affair came to Grasse, the nearest place on the coast, and the magistrates immediately sent officers in every direction to search for the fugitive. There was great commotion in Marseilles when the facts became known. An investigation was opened. Colonel Vilette, who was walking with the Marshal on the evening of the escape, was discovered there, and imprisoned. The commandant of Ft. Ste. Marguerite was placed under arrest-, and General Lewal has gone to the island to investigate the affair. Pauis, August 12.—1 tis reported that Marshal Bazaine landed at San Remo, and travelled by way of Turin to Basle. At the latter place he took the train to Brussells where he arrived, at 7 o'clock on Tuesday morning. It is believed that the rope found on the cliff on the Isle of Ste. Marguerite was suspended there to mislead the authorities as to the manner of the Marshal's escape, which wa3 effected in some other way, through the connivance of the guards. Le Soire states that Bazaine had given his parole not to leave the island, and the precautions were consequently, relaxed. The Bentry was withdrawn from the terrace every morning at five o'clock, it being considered unnecessery to keep him there after daylight. Two soldiers belonging to the garrison at the fort swear that they saw the Marshal on the terrace at 5.30 Monday morning. It has been ascertained that the plan of Bazaine's escape from St. Marguerite was arranged six week 3 ago. It was entirely the work of Madame Bazaine. The Marshal refused at first to fly, but finally—owing to his failure to obtain some modification of hia sentence—yielded. He sailed from the island in the steam yacht Baron Ricasoli, belonging.to an Italian company. The prisoner refused to employ a French vessel. He was accompanied in his flight by his wife and brother. His place of refuge is not known. Some persons say he is in Spain. The domestics at the fort where the Marshal was. imprisoned have been arrested.