WALKS BACK TO GAOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 930, 25 March 1930, Page 9

WALKS BACK TO GAOL

HUNGER STRIKER FEEEL FROM HOSPITAL ESCAPE THROUGH WINDOW PARIS, Monday. A sensational escape from the Cochin Hospital was made yesterday by Madame Hanau, who was awaiting trial on charges in connection with the “Gazette du Franc.” The woman had been in St. Lazare prison for some time, and as a protest against the delay in bringing her to trial she refused to take food. Ultimately her hunger-strike, which lasted 23 days, rendered her physical condition so weak that she was removed to the hospital, where she was forciblj’ fed. Yesterday the Commissioner of Police telephoned to the hospital at P. 30 p.m. to inquire about Madame Hanau’s condition. He was astonished to learn that she was no longer in bed. The Comm'ssioner ordered a search to be made. It was found that the vv'oman had escaped through a window. The police on watch saw nothing, as they were stationed in the corridor outside the bedroom. It transpired that without aid, and notwithstanding her exhaustion as a result of her hunger-strike, Madame Hanau had tied the bedclothes together and fastened one end to a bar on the window. Then she sl'd down the improvised rope into the hospital gardens, which were deserted at the time. Having reached the* ground the woman walked out of'the gate, hailed a taxi and told the driver to take her to the St. Lazare prison. ( At 10 p.m. the warders at the gaol were astonished to see Madame Hanau at the gate. She said: “I am here,” then fainted, being utterly exhausted by the effort of her escape.