THE DEGRADATION OF ULLMO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9161, 7 August 1908, Page 3

THE DEGRADATION OF ULLMO.

TtcAITOR'S TERRIBLE ORDEAL,

Ullmo, the naval sub-lieutenant who offered secret information to Germany, underwent the terrible ceremony of degradation on Place St. Roch. at Toulon, on June 11th. A large force kept the ground, but the vaifc crowd which had assembled arjund was so excitad that it was d-jemed prudent to delay the ceremony nearly an hour. The appearance, according to one account, o? a group of former comrades of the traitor, elicited loud cheers," which promptly subsided as the wretched man wa3 brought out of the naval prison, guarded by four t sailors, under the command of a petty officer. It was amid a stern silence that Ullmo, with his eyes cast down, walked on to the square. But this calm was not of lo ig duration. A cry of "Dowi with the traitor! Down with the spy!" was raised by on 3 spectator, and a moment latpr a volby of hisses bu'Vst forth, and then, ad tie approached the middle of the square, the traitor was overwhelmed with abusive epithets. Silence returned as the clerk of the naval court martial proceeded to rjad out the sentence and as an offb.'r, stepping forward, addressed [ fie prisoner as follows: —"Charley Benjamin Ullmo, you are unworthy! of bearing arms. In accordance witn ' tiis law we degrade you." A petty ofiber now advanced, and tore the ba lges from the prisoner's .cap and c >jc, and then, taking his sword, broke it. He had served und;r Ullnr>, and his distress was manifest. Once again did the outcry ' aguin3t tha traitor resound, the crowd growing so excited that reinforcements were sent for, as it was feared t iat the people would through th 3 ranks of the soldiers who were keeping the ground. Then, bareheaded, with every badge of rank and honour gone, th 3 miserable man was led along, and passed in front of the assembled troopj Hyi tottered rather than walked, and it looked as if he would not have to drag himself to. the en I. Thu* did he go through the awful ceremon; - , loud cries of abuse and haLred ringing in his ear with every step he took. As soon as the terrible ord;al was over, UJlrna was hurried bacK to the naval prison, ai it w.\3 still Reared that the crowd mig ut - try to reach and wrack its -,Vi\.ch upon him. Thia is said to be the firjt time since 1791 that a ceremony of degradation h'»s taken place on that spot. Ullmo will probably be t ansported to the 110 do Diable.