THE LIFE OF AN “ APACHE. ”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3190, 8 April 1911, Page 9

THE LIFE OF AN “ APACHE. ”

AFTERMATH OF WILD WEST SHOW.

At the present session of the French Chamber the settlement of the Apache question is to be a vital issue (writes the Paris correspondent of the oan Francisco Chronicle,” under date February 18). The whipping-post, which has proved so efficacious in England; is a mode of punishment that has many enthusiastic advocates, and the adoption of this means of diminishing the Apache crimes will be agitated in the chamber. , Two reasons have been put forward as causes of the present reign of terror; The laws are too lax and false humanitarianism has enfeebled justice The French law deals far more severely with a gentleman thief than with an Apache assassin. One asks why these Apaches are let off with ridiculously short sentences when the death penalty exists in France. The answer is that the death penalty is pronounced only for premeditated murder; the Apaches always plead that they meant only to rrighten their victims; therefore they get off with sentences of from six months to three years’ imprisonment for murders. In many instances an Apache forces a life of degradation on a poor working girl whose charms he can turn to profit. If the girl refuses she is shot or stabbed. When brought up for trial the Apache says he loved: the girl and that her refusal of his attentions incited him to violence; the murder is termed a “crime passione” and the murderer escapes with a light sentence, if any is imposed at all. Needless,to say, work is an abomination to these young cutthroats. An Apache is usually transported to the colonies for a few years, or else is given a short imprisonment. Neither of these sentences is feared by the Apaches. They realise that if they are detected in‘crime they will'be gently received by the prison officials. The Apache movement was inspired bv Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at the World’s Fair in Paris. The treachery and daring of the Apache Indians appealed to the vicious instincts of a certain class of young Parisians, and they were quick to imitate in real life the blood-curdling manoeuvres they witnessed at the show. This is the origin of their name Apache. For the last decade each quarter of Paris has been, afflicted with its particular band of Apaches. In fact, the city could he divided into wards of Apaches. Each band has its organisation and the members are all known bv different, signs painted on thenskins. For instance, the Bastille band lias two stars on the left forearm ; the band of the. Malakoff has a little ball like a mole under the left eye. Apaches love crime for crime’s sake. Frequently the life of a poor workman i 9 forfeited for a few francs. The Apache method is first to kill and then to rob. Arms are drawn at the slightest pretext. Almost every night tlie crack of a. revolver is heard in the more deserted streets, and sometimes in the heart of the city citizens are awakened from their sleep by terrifying shouts, accompanied by groans.