ESCAPE OF MARSHAL BAZAINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 11

ESCAPE OF MARSHAL BAZAINE.

We take the following from an American newspaper : — London, August 12th.— The following particulars of the escape of Marshal Bazaine from his prison on the Isle of St. Marguerite are re» ceived: — "The apartment occupied by Bazaine opened on a terrace which was built on the edge of a precipitous cliff overhanging the sea. A sentry was posted on the terrace, with orders to w.itch the prisoner's every movement. During Sunday evenirg the Marshal walked upon the terrace with Colonel Vilette, his Aide-de-camp. At 10 o'clock he retired as usual, apparently to sleep, but before daybreak lie had effected his escape. He must have crossed the terrace in 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 hinds, 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 tho water, and Madame La Marshal, taking the oars herself, rowed directly to a 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 Geneva, as the steamer 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 Villette, who was walking with the Marshal on the evening of his escape, was discovered there and imprisoned. The Commands! nt of Fort St. Marguerite was placed under arrest, and General Lewal has gone to the island to investigate the affair. "Paris, August 12th.— It is reported that Marshal Bazaine landed at San Relo and travelled, by way of Turin, to Basle. At the latter place he took the train to Brussels, where he arrived at 7 o'clock, Tuesday morning. It is believed that the rope found on tho cliff on the Island of St. Marguerite was suspended there to mislead the authorities as to the manner of the Marshal's escape, which was effected in some other way, through the connivance of the guards. Le Soir states that Bazaine had given his parole not to leave the Island, and tho precautions were, consequently, relaxed. The sentry was withdrawn from the terrace every morning at 5 o'clock, it being considered unnecessary 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 on Monday morning. "It has been ascertained that the plan of Bazaine's escape was ai ranged six weeks 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 his 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 Maishal was imprisoned have been arrested."