THE "APACHES" OF PARIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 5

THE "APACHES" OF PARIS.

AN EXECUTION AT'NANTES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oosyrieht Paris, March 26. Grand, a notorious "Apache," has been executed at Nantes. THE LIFE OF AN "APACHE." AFTERMATH OF WILD WEST SHOW. At the present session of the French Chamber the settlement of the Apache question is. to-be a vital issue (writes thi Paris correspondent of the "San Francisco Chronicle," under date February 18). The whipping-post, which h.Vi proved so efficacious in England, is a mode of punishment that has many enthusiastic advocates, and the adoption of this means of diminishing the Apache crimes will bo pgitated ip. the chamber. Two reasons have been put forward as causes of the present reign of terror: The laws aro too lax and false humanitarianism has enfeebled justice. The French law deals far more severely with a gentleman thief than with an Apache assassin. One asks why these Apaches are let off with; ridiculously short sentences when the death, penalty exists in France. The answer is that the death penalty is pronoun oed only for premeditated murder; tho Apaches always plead that they meant only to wound or frighten their victims, therefore they get off with sentences of froni sis months to three years'imprisonment for murders. In many instances an Apache forces a life of degradation on a poor-working girl whoso charms he can turn to profit. If tho girl refuses sho is shot or stab-' bed. When brought- up for trial the Apacho says he loved' the girl and that her refusal of his attentions incited him to violence; the murder is termed a "crime p'assionel". and the murderer escapes with a light sentence, if any is imposed at all. Needless to say, work is. an abomination to .these young cut-throats. An Apache, is usually transported to the. colonies for a few. years, or else is given a short "imprisonment.; Neither-gf these sontences is feared'by 'the Apaches. l They realise, that if they are detected in crime they ..will .be gently .received by the prison officials,-.; .. . The Apachfe movement-was-inspired'by Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at tho World's Fair in "Paris.; • The treachery and daring of the Apache Indians .appeal-ed-to the vicious instincts of a certain class 6{ young Parisians, and they were quick to imitate in, real lifo the bloodcurdling manoeuvres .they witnessed . at tho show. ■ This is the origin', of their name Apache. For the--last decade each quarter of Paris has-been afflicted with its particular band of Apaches. In fact, the "city could be divided into wards of Apaches. Each band has its organisation and the members are all known by different signs painted on their' skins. For instance, the Bastille band has two. stars on the ■ left fore&rai; the band of the Malakoff has a little ball like a - mole under, the |eft eye. Apaches love crime for crime's sake. Frequently the life of a poor workman is .forfeited for a few francs. > The Apache method is first to kill and then to rob. Arms are drawn at the slightest pretext. Almost every night the crack of a revolver is heard in the more deserted streets, and sometimes in tho heart of the city citizens are awakened from' their sleep by terrifying shouts, accompanied by groans.