Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1895 — The Siberia of the Pacific. [ARTICLE]

The Siberia of the Pacific.

Twelve months ago I was in Noumea, New Caledonia, for six weeks, and from what I saw there I do not hesitate to call that place the Siberia of the Pacific. Being an Englishman, I was not allowed to be too inquisitive; but they could not prevent my seeing the gangs of men, hardly Human in appearance, surrounded not only by gendarmes, but also by natives (Kanakas), armed with clubs, whose duty it is to chase the poor wretches and club them should they attempt to escape. They are heavily chained, and the work I saw them at was cutting roads through the solid rock; and this, it must be understood, in a most unhealthy tropical country where mosquitoes and fever flourish all the year round. French officialism, with all its petty tyrannies, is to be seen at its very worst. Hundreds of wretched men who have served their term of imprisonment, and are too old for work, may be seen slouching about, getting their food as best they can. and at night sleeping in the woods. These miserables are always being watched, and the slightest crime on their part is visited by most severe punishment, —Pall Mall Gazette.