ISLAND SEIZED

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1933, Page 7

ISLAND SEIZED

•FRENCH BARONESS IN . CONTROL,

PARIS, April 11

The Baroness, Wagner Bousquet, a French woman, Fas set herself up as ‘'Empress” of Eloreana, a tiny island

:h the Gw'apagOs group off the Souvn

American .ruling her domain with an iron hand and forcefully expelling anyone who attempts to intrude

upon ch e privacy of her “court.” The Government of Ecuador,. to which the archipelago belongs, ha s ordered the territorial chief of the Galapagos to proceed a<t once to Floreana with a detachment of troops, and dispossess the “Empress.” -

These islands have been the scene of romance and adventure since the day® of 'PizarrQ and Drake. It was there fn more recent times that Dr William Beebe went down in his ‘‘bathysphere” a<nd. discovered at great depths little-known animals Jfe. But perhaps contemporary history has nothing to compare with the coup d’etat of the baroness.

Last December two Ecuador farmers landed on the island- They were. surprised !by 20 men, who escorted them to the “Empress.” . With her were three Europeans acting as equerries. Th e farmers were told to leave the island, hut refused and went on a hunting expedition. They wei'e discovered and a dispute arose. The “Empress” appeared in person with a rifle ■slung over her shoulder, and ordered the intruder’s in imperious tonea to. clear out a§ the island was her property'. Th e men again refused, and the B roness and her retinue opined fire on the men, one of whom ;was wounded. Eventually ■ they managed to escape and told their tale to goyenu. ment authorities.

■lnquiry here in. the family circle of the • B : arone,- iS Wagner has elicited the fact that she is Austrian by birth, but French by marriage. At on e time she opened a, shop ill Pans to sell luxury articles.