EXECUTION OF A SPY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 112, 13 May 1916, Page 3

EXECUTION OF A SPY.

A GRIM SCENE. DESERVED DEATH PENALTY. There was a grim scene at the execution of a spy., on the military grounds at Vincennes. The man was sentenced to death by the Paris courtmartial at the beginning of January.

He was a tall, handsome young fellow of twenty-five,' whose identity is not quite definite. He is suposed to be Italian by birth, and pretended to have been naturalised successively Argentine' and Swiss. The man, who was always elegantly dressed, and lived in a fashionable quarter of Paris,' gave' himself out to be a» commercial agent when he was arrested last year.

Serious were the charges against him, as the details concerning affair were kept secret and the case was heard in camera by the courtmartial, and the Kaiser's spy agent was sentenced to death. He appealed twice against the sentence, but his appeals were rejected; the President of the Republic refuse dto reprieve the young spy. , At four in the morning the Officer Procurator at the court-martial and the ..military authorities of the Vincennes Prison entered the prisoner's celi. He was sleeping soundly. When awakened, the man dressed quietly, and while lighting a cigarette, said to the officers who were in the cell: "I recognise guilt, and I really deserve the punishment I am going to have." A SIGN OP BAD LUCK. At -one moment he noticed that he had put on one of his silk socks inside out. This is a sign of bad luck some people say—l must put it right' said the .'condemned man, 'smiling. Then, in accordance with the condemned man's desire, a priest came to hear his confession. He was then taken in a horse-carriage to the military ground. On the way the prisoner, who was guarded by gendarmes, tcld them, "If I was to be let free I can assure you I would not do again vhat I have' done. I was a fool!"

It was nearly seven, when the man arrived oil the ground near the wall, in front of which twelve soldiers, with "heir riflles were stading in a line, The prisoner, deadly pale, refused to have his hands tied ftnd his ejyes covered with a handkerchief as is generally done. [With remarkable calm he took off his large soft hat and threw if on the ground, and turned towards the twelve soldiers who were going to shoot him. An officer read out th e sentence, trumpets sounded, and the non-commissioned officer in command of the company commanded fire with his sword. A sharp volley rang out, and the spy fell dead, with several bullets through his heart. The troops marched past the dead body, which was afterwards taken to the Vincejines Cemetery.