Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 242, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1910 — SOLDIER DEGRADED [ARTICLE]

SOLDIER DEGRADED

PUNISHMENT INFLICTED ON A FRENCH PRIVATE. W»« Accused of Murdering Wife of Banker—Military Degradation in France an Impressive but Sad Spectacle. "George s Marie Graby, you are unworthy to bear arms.” This short, sharp sentence was heard in the barracks square on the Boulevard Mortler on the eastern extremity of Paris at 8 a. m. the other morning: Granby, the murderer of Mme. Gouln, the widow of the well-known banker, to whom these words were addressed, appeared in the uniform of the ordinary infantry private, rather smarter than most of his fellows, but looking deathly white. Two minutes later he was marched back to the barracks with his unifo"rm in rags, his back bent, his head hanging low, a sorry-looking piece of humanity. A military degradation in France, carried out in accordance with the exact regulations of the law, is always an impressive though essentially sad spectacle. It was not surprising, therefore, that a large crowd gathered near the Porte des Lilas that morning soon after breakfast, having heard the announcement that the degradation was for eight o'clock in the morning. Special detachments of all the services represented in the garrison of Paris were on parade, and at eight o’clock at trumpet call, they formed a hollow square. The colonel in command gave the order" Shoulder arms! ” and then Graby was seen coming from one of the buildings, marching slowly but with some composure, and with a guard of four infantrymen. The guard accompanied him to the middle of the square, presented arms and then made three steps backward, leaving Graby in shameful solitude, the cynosure of neighboring eyes. The officers were drawn up on horseback in front of him. The colonel gave orders to the bugler, and once more the high notes rang out. _ Then a -sergeant stepped up to within a pace of Graby and read out the judgment of the courtmartial con-,, demning Graby to death and the presidential decree commuting his sentence. The proclamation began: "In the name of tne French people,” and the sergeant concluded by making the usual announcement: "This judgment has been read aloud before the condemned man, and before the troops assembled under arms.” At this Col. Lejaille, who had dismounted, stepped up and addressed Graby: “Graby, you are unworthy to bear arms; in the name of the law we degrade you.” The adjutant then tore away the buttons from the uniform, the strap from the kepi and all other decorations, including the epaulettes. The bugle was heard once more and the same four privates who had led Graby out of the barracks led him back again.