The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-01
MINISTER WASHBURNE'S REPORT.

Letter FROM Minister Washburne to Secretary
Eish-Ail Property of Americans safely Pro
tected-COurtesy and Consideration of the
French Authorities-The Prussian Legation
and Germnns ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Abuse,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.-The following let
ter from Minister Washburne to Secretary Fish
will be read with great interest He expresses
himself thankful that he remained throughout
the siege, and does justice to the kindness and
courtesy extended by the French authorities
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, PARIS, Feb. g.
r:-Durng the past week the people of Paris
have been patiently and quietly awaiting revictua-
embers m the aoa Sse@b 0 snS % % S
convene at Bordeaux on the 18th inst
smal quantities Of Of provisions have commenced
sent by the population OF London to the population
of Paris. These supplies have been distributed
their respective population and are to be given out
only to the most necesstous 1t will be but short
time hope, before all can be reasonably supplied.
The lower classes in the city have, during the last
months Of the sege suffered untold mseries OF
hS S% Hoes Sem rea eredt InSeed t the
ing OF all classes has been very great and it might
be said that all classes have sustained the suferings
and prvations OF the siege in manner that must
excite the wonder and admiration of the wor d.
Now that the siege is over | am thankful that
been Of some service to the interests with which
/ have been charged. 1t is with pleasure that am
enabled to state that have succeeded in protecting
all American property in Paris, and that no harm
has come to any OF our Americans who have re-
NAMED here. This statement must be qualified,
however, SO as not to apply to the young American,
Mr. Swagar who lost his life by having his foot torn
to pieces by Prusslan SHE'LL and to the two young
men whose property was destroyed by the bursting
Of shell In their apartments In the Latin quarter
Several attempts were made to interfere with
American property at different times, but must do
the Government OF the National Defense the credit
to say that they have treated all such matters
have deemed 1t necessary to bring to their atten-
tioH with the utmost fairness and consideration.
In the first place 1t was proposed to quarter the
upon an application to M. Gambetta, then Minister
OF the Interior, he gave an order that It should not
posed special tax upon the apartments of
the absent, which bore very heavily upon our
Goqntrymen. ! had a correspondence with M:
Jules Favre upon the subject, which / had
the honor TO transmit you, and by which you will
have seen that the city authorities were oVerruled
and the tax not enforced. Then II was proposed to
put the re fugees from the neighboring villages who
had come into Paris into the apartments OF some of
the Americans. / resisted that, and the intention
was not carried out, and when the bombardment
took place and the people from that part Of the city
proposed to shelter them in the vacant apart.
ments In other parts OF the city. Many of
the apartments OF the Americans were threat
In no case would consent to have furnished apart
ments Of Americans occupied in this manner, and
occupied And, lastly, after the armistice was de-
cared and all the troops came into the city another
attempt was made to quarter soldiers and officers
also in the vacant apartments OF Americans, but
protested against that and no apartment has yet
when m May RETURN % tes n
Paris they Will md everything IN as good condition
as when they left.
Very little damage has been done to the property
OF the people OF other natonalitles with whose pro-
lection have been charged. At one early period
the house Of German Mr. Hedler was invaded by
the Guard Mobile in search OF Prussan spies, and
some damage was done to the furniture. Upon my
representation of the matter to the Government,
Count de KeTatry, who was then the Prefect OF Po-
lice took the affair promptly in hand, brought the
offending parties to punishment, and permitted
agents selected by me to assess the damages which
were promptly paid. Immediately after the break
ing out OF the war took under my protection the
magnificent hotel OF the Prusslan Embassy in the
Rue deLille. All OF the persons who had charge OF
IL DOWN to the concierge had been expelled from
France, and as it seemed to be the objective point
OF the hostility OF the Partisan population, I had
great fes RS for its safety. at once placed 1t under
the charge OF an American friend In Paris, who has
exercised most ygilant guardianship over it and
protected 1t from all harm.
While there has been a good deal OF hostility
against me among q certain number OF the popula.
tiOn OF Paris during the siege, ana while been
assailed in the clubs and in the newspapers on
account OF my protection OF the Germans have no
cause whatever for complaint against the Govern
ment OF the National Defense. / have been treated
by them with the greatest kindness and with all the
consideration due to me as the diplomatic repre-
sentative OF our country.
have the honor to be very respectfully, your
obedent servant, Il. B. WAsHBURRE.
To Hon Hamilton Fish Secretary OF State