Execution of Pallas, the Anarchist

Southland Times, Issue 12768, 29 November 1893, Page 3

Execution of Pallas, the Anarchist

Pallas, the condemned Anarchist, was shot at nine o’clock on the evening of Cth Oct., by a platoon of infantry in an enclosure close to the Castle of Monjuich. A large body of troops surrounded the place of execution, and there was ho disturbance? The. condemned man displayed the greatest fortitude to the very end. Pallas was brought before the judge the previous day to hear his sentence read. He refused to kneel at first, but yielded to force. After the sentence had been read he used a profane expression, and when, in accordance with the law; he was called upon to affix his signature to his own condemnation, Pallas said: “In signing my-sentence I sign that of those who have condemned me to death. ' Long live Anarchy ! ” The prisoner was then conducted to the chapel to prepare for death. As ho passed’ through the crowd of spectators, he cast a contemptuous glance on the people, and struck up in a loud voice the refrain of the Anarchist hymn, which he continued singing until he was within the chapel walls. This was the small church close to the prison of jMonjuich, the services at which are attended by the inmates and by the soldiers of the garrison. Its furniture is very bare. There is an altar, a crucifix, a picture of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and nothing more. Pallas was topass the night in this chapel, and his bed had been placed at the foot of the altar. He at first refused to have any communication with the chaplain or the Jesuit priests who were to be with him until the morning, but as time went on he allowed the military chaplain to approach his bedside and opened a conversation with him on different religious and social questions. He refused, however, point blank to receive the consolation of the Church. All through the evening and night he preserved his outward calmness, but he looked haggard and worn. In spite of many solicitations ho declined to reveal the names of his accomplices, though he seems partially, by some of his expressions, to admit the existence of a vast plot, which would be the means of avenging him. He asked to be allowed to give the word of command to the soldiers to fire at bis execution, and expressed the curious wish that the silver and copper coins found in his possession should be chemically dissolved and thrown to the winds. His clothes he bequeated to the Museum at Mastorrel. Pallas expressed the conviction that his name would live in history, and that he would be honoured by the regenerated society of the future. During the night the Civil Governor of Barcelona came to the prison and offered the prisoner some cigars, which iie at first declined, but subsequently accepted. At the same time he warned the Governor to avoid persecuting the working classes, whose future triumph was certain, and who would retaliate against the authorities. Pallas ate his meals with good appetite, and asked for some black coffee. From various remarks he dropped from time to time, he seemed to cherish a belief that he would be rescued at the last moment.

At an early hour Pallas was awakened by the Jesuit chaplain, who was accompanied by a brother of the Society of Peace and Charity, a brotherhood whose duty is to attend all executions. The priests reminded the condemned man of the few hours separating him from eternity, and exhorted him to make his peace with God. Pallas, apparently quite unmoved, replied, “ Is it for this you have disturbed my rest At eight o’clock Pallas was removed from the chapel, and conducted by a company of soldiers to the exercise ground, where he was shot, his last words being, “ Long live Anarchy !”