Bazaine's Escape

Correspoudence of tho New York Times. Saini-Germain-en-Late, August 12. - If the Kadicals were to succeed to power again, by any chance, tho first act of the new government would bo to sign the death warrant of liazaino. Although this is an exaggoration, there can be no manner of doubt that his life would be in danger. It was by constant pleading with him that the faithful wifo finally won his consent to leave the island. Some of the journals pretend that he was on parol, but this is absurd. A prisoner does not promise not to escape unless ho gets some privileges in return, and Bazaine has had none whatever. Ho has beon constantly subjected to rigid prison discipline, has never been allowed to walk, except upon tho parapet, some 10 feet square, and has been refused nearly all the privileges he has ever demanded. Ho had a right to escape, therefore, if ho could, but whether it was good policy to do so is a question which can hardly be decided at this timo. All the arrangements for the escape had been completed a week ago, and the parties concernod only awaited a favorable moment for carrying their plan into oxecution. Col. Vilette, Bazaine's faithful friend, tho man vho sat by his sido during the trial, and who asked to share his captivity, thus giving up his own hopos of adyancement, was not allowed to sloep upon the island, but was granted tho privilege of coming over a few hours each day. During the winter Mme. Bazaine and her children had boon upon the island, but owing to the unhealthy air of summer they had to be sent away. As Mme. Bazaine could no longer be confined within the walls, under guard, she was allowed to visit hor husband at stated periods only, and forced to procure a permit in advance. On Saturday elie made hor usual visit, and it was on Sunday night that Bazaine escaped. The care of the prisoner was confined to only four guards, drawn from the company of 100 men which comprised the garrison. At night a squad of men picketed before the gate of the fortress. Upon the side of the sea there is a perpendicular descent of 30 metres, nearly 85 yards, and as this side is narrow, no spot was found for placing a sentinel. The guard had to march upon the other angle, at some distance from this tolerably safe poin!;. Indeed, owing to the enormous size of the prisoner, and his advanced ago, it was thought impossible for him to escape from this dangerous point. Moreover, as in the case of Eochefort and the communists of Noumea, it appoars that the government counted upon the sharks with which the waters are filled to guard the sea side of the castle. On Sunday the Marshal had passed the greater part of the afternoon upon his narrow parapet, pacing up and down with Col. Vilette ; but soon aftor the departure of the latter, Bazaine went to his room, and in a short time retired. About 10 o'clock the Commandant made his usual visit, finding his prisoner in bed. The guard had been been set, and the picket post was also visited. It was a dark and stormy night, the mistral howling about the fortress, and raising menacing white caps upon tho sea, and tho black clouds hanging low in the sky, giving a promise of rain. Although a steamer had been signaled just at dark, the Commandant feit that the conditions of the night were favorable to repose, and after seeing all things in order he, too, be surmisècf.' líis kïïoWtl to'-ïiay tftfcí about 7:30 on Sunday evening, Mme. Bazaine hired a boat, and accompanied by a very young man, started out for a row. A Croisette fieherman recognized the lady, and saw her pulling an oar with feverish anxiety, and steering toward Sainte Marguerite. The boat was still lost to sight. It was very dark when the boat came upon the island, where Mme. Bazaine and her companion must havo lain for several hours, tossed about by the storm. Meanwhile the Marshal had risen, and after having attached his knotted ropo to the iron bars of the window, had let himself down this giddy height. The rope was found there in the morning, and bearing 11 freshblood stains upon it to show that the descent had not been effected without danger. As the small boat had to keep beyond the surf, Bazaine had to swim in for somo distance, but was soon drawn in by his oourageous and loving wife, and the boat was quickly pulled off to the steamer. The next morning tho Italian coast was reached, and Bazaine safely landod at Saint Remo. It was not until next morning that the guard had any intimation of the escape of their prisoner, but it seems strange that no one on the island should have seen either the boat close under the walls or the steamer only a short distance away. The yonng man who accompanied Mme. Bazaine was a member of her family, a young Mexican by the name of Kuil. He has several times cruised off the island in a steam yacht, but it was only the other day that the Marshal could be persuaded to leave. Col. Villette waited at Cannes until the news arrived, when he started for Paris to state what he knew, but was arrested before arriving. He is now in close confinement at Gresse. Mme. Villette has gone to meet her husband, but has not yet been permitted to see him. As I have above remarked, the comments of the press are extremely varied, and the Eepublican journals are generally ferocious. One thing is certain, and that is that the State has been very considerably relieved. An immense burden has beon removed. It cost over 200,000 francs a year to guard Bazaine, and he is a constant sourco of anxiety. Of course, a great fuss will be made about an official inquiry, and the punishment of somebody, but if the press will only let tho matter rest ; MacMahon will be only too glad to do bo. In a short time " good riddance " j will be the popular verdict. 1 i