A Wife's Visit to the Front

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 June 1915, Page 4

A Wife's Visit to the Front

FRENCH CAPTAIN'S CRIME. (L'Yoin our own Correspondent.) Paris April 11. Yocterday took place the trial by Courtmartial of Captian Herail, of the 11th Hussars, on a charge of murdering his wife. The story is a tragedy of the most heartrending sort. Captain Herail was an excellent officer and a devoted husuund. His wife was oven more devoted to him; her affection was, in fact, so great that it continually interierred with liis military duties. In November, Captain Herail, after having fought through the Lorraine campaign, was ordered with his regiment to Compiegnc. His wife- immediately came up to see him from Narboime, where she was staying. There were orders that no officers' wives should be allowed in the town, and Captain •Herail's colonel twice reminded him that these orders, must be obeyed. Captain Herail begged his wife to leave, bat she refused. He received a fortnight's imprisonment on account of his ifa[s continued presence and his recommendation for the Legion of Honour ■was cancelled. Still she refused to go, saying that the military authorities hud no right to order her about.

On December 11 the colonel went to the house where Captain Herail and his ■wife were staying and told him that of his wife did not leave at once he would be Court-martialled. Captain Herail went into the next room to tell his wife j that she must go. A minute or two passed, then the colonel heard three revolver shots and, rushing into the room found Mine Herail lying dead. Her husband had shot her. During the painful cross-examination j of the trial Captain Herail repreatetlly J broke down. Obviously overwhelmed I ■with yriuf, he aroused the pity of the whole Court. One after another his brother officers testified to his high character and ability. Finally Maitre Henri Robert, the celebrated barrister, in an impassioned speech, pleaded for a lenient view of the case, reading in conclusion a letter written to him by the"" mother of the murdered woman, herself imploring him to do what he could for her son-in-law. ) AmiS the cheers of the audience the Jifdges pronounced his eequittal. LonSon Times.