The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-26
D ELE SCLUZE.
Interview With the Last Dictator
of the Commune.
Confident Of Success on the Eve
Of Collapse.
WAS ROSSEL A TRAITOR?
~~>>>~~>~~~~~~~>~~~~~~~~
A Proclamation Of the COmmune---Still
the Old Charge Of Treason.
LIFE OF DELESCLUZE.
WAS ROSsEL A TRAITOR 2
LIFE. OF DELESCLUZE.

PARIS, April IL, 1871
Papertng and FASTING are contagious. The fever
for darkening shops and apartments is increasing.
The disease. which nrst commenced In the neighbor-
hood Of the Place Vend0me Is assuming large pro-
portions. On the Douevards the Rue Royale the
Rue des Petit Champs the Inhabitants are busiy
employed decorating their windows with bands OF
paper OF various hues. Ask the shopkeepers the
reason Of their being thus employed. Some Will
answer that they taking precautions against the
vibration Of cannon; others that when the Column
Vend6me shall fall the shock will he little better
than that OF an earthquake. What between the fear
OF column and cannon the Inhabitants of the district
have but desire to cricise the chief topic OF
sation-right OF the ex- Minister OF War; which has
been invested with additional mystery In conse-
quence OF the announcement in the Journal Ofciel,
and which has been profusey placarded on the
walls this morning. 1t runs thus
To THE PEOPLE or PARIS
CTrIzpns-The Commune and the republic have Just e.
capped mortal peril Treason had slipped INTO our rank:
tempted her forces BY corruption Gold
nyhy had found even among US to be bought
pscard BY the mscrean who had 1t, only
rIor coincident with the delivery gates would
follow and d. plunge Us in the 20. Of the abyss: Az
ss ses as X o. the %
men. viii sHsmpary The sour. MARTIAL sits :e en- pS1
ya.Se Win s done the revolution s.nnO.
70 monarch tina. the Commune prepared for an rather
that People that on IL Vigilance i. ~
union depends the ultimate That which the
eye: open on Il sc, Lei ali % rssdy
TSuD e o the 'ss
effort, and then, then only triumph 10 assured.
Notwithstanding the ABOVE although there are
many VINO insist Chat the late Minister Of War was
traitor, the general opinion appears to be that he
has been belied. 1t is known that his successor
ton and consequently much surprise has been ex.
pressed at the appointment OF citizen Delescluze TO
be Delegue Ia Guerre.
VISIT TO DELEsCLUZE.
Anxious to see the veteran revolutlonist, who has
the reputation OF being one OF the extreme ad-
yanced school, and at the same timeshonest his
convictions, started again this morning for the
War ONCE. 1t was lovely morning, the sun shone
warmly and brightly, and for once the first time for
many months past the dlscordant sounds Of neither
drum nor bugle grated on the ear. The ante.cham-
bers Of the War ONCE crowded with new faces,
but few Of those with which had become familiar
remained. Three Ministers OF War within If
teen days-Cuseret, Rossel. Deescluze-is rapid
work, each Of different pattern, like changes
In the kaleidoscope. The mute-like huissiers,
in sable suit, are still there. 1t would
be q dificult matter to replace their fu-
they were never known to smile, and do their duty
with innexible solemnity, whether monarchy I'M
periaism, republcanlsm communism be IN
power. much doubt If the most violent red In ex-
Istence would dare to address one OF these sepul-
chral giants citizen mad but little hope Of pene-
trating into the dark blue satin chamber, as there
were innumerable swords, spurs, riding boots and
reviewers waiting their turn for audience; but.
having sent IN my card. was agreeably surprised
by being told to enter at once. Sitting at the table
formerly occupied by the citizens Cluseret and
Rossel were two dark-lOoktng citizens before them
bazed n roasting are was the table IN which for
mery examined General Cluseret's dOssier. sitting
In an armchair crouchlng over the re Is an invalid
would do In mldwlnter, was
THIN, OLD MAN,
apparently nearly seventy years OF age, pale and
with the appearance OF Ill heath-the newly ap-
poinled Delegue Ia Guerre the citizen Delescuze.
He offered me corresponding armchair to MS own
At the opposite corner linen explained IN English
for Information.
..You must excuse me-" said the Minister OF War,
In faultless English. "but l speak your language
very Inadvertently" took the hint and the rest OF
our conversation was In French. In these times
were others in The room. Having in my POCKET q
copy OF the Journal O1ctet. asked citizen Deies-
CLUE If he could give me any Information with re-
spect to the plot referred 10 IN the announcement
made therein by the Comite de Salut Public.
"As 10 the Fort dIssy," replied the Minister for<
War, "it had been so much destroyed by the Prus-
possible 70 have held it for any time 1t is surprs-
ing that the National Guard held out so CALAMITY.
The Versaillists cannot take much credit to Them
selves for that achievement. That the reactlonary
party is strainng every nerve to succeed there is
not the slightest doubt but they will not do SO.
have no fear for the result"
As the speaker continued he appeared to gain
mind was occupied with public anairs. Citizen
Delescluze speaks slowly aud distinctly, without
hesitation. bnt pauses Tor a second at the end of
eacn sentence. lie is evidently man firm IN pur.
pose. shrewd and OF clear intellect. The expression
OF his mouth indicates That he would stop at no
sacrifice IN order to secure the triumph OF his
"But,n replied, al should be obliged il you could
give me some Information respecting the p OF which
the Comite dc Saut Public declares has been dis
"Of that replied my companion, II can tell you
as yet nothing; but repeat that have no fear for
the result. The reactionists within Paris are small
in number, comparatively speaking. The fact OF
e ina aas e i1rs al s s
We did not disguise from ourselves that they were
becoming fatigued. But any attempt OF the Yer.
efforts, for they now know that should the rovasts
succeed their doing viii be the ruin OF Paris and
OF France. This morning the National Guards have
made reconnaissance in force, under DombrowsKi
at Sabonville and have cleared the Versailais from
"As the correspondent of foreign Journal" re-
piled, at Is not for me 70 support either side am
only DESTROYS to state facts.n
'rhat is all we desire. shall be very glad to anord
yon all the assistance in my power"
Having thanked MN Tor his courtesy was not
sorry TO rise from my chair. The day was hot, the
fire was hotter. Your correspondent had during
the interview been roasting. was becoming done
already was nicely Drowned. How on earth the
Minister OF War can stand IL Is ncomprehensble.
l cannot allow this opportunity TO escape without
bearing my testimony IN favor OF the manner In
which have been invariably received by the lead
ing lights OF tue Commune
LIFE OF THE LAST COMMUNIST DICTATOR.
The Citizen Delescuze Is remarkable man. A
few words IN reference 10 hts antecedents may not
here be out OF place, as showing the vcissitudes TO
winch journalists are subjected IN France. He was
born on the - OF Octooer, 1e09; studied In Paris
al the College Bourbon ana the Ecole Droit Like
numDerless other students, he joined the political
societies after the revolution Of 1880, and was ar
rested I'm 1884. In the following year he was Impll-
Gated IN conspiracy and was forced to seek refuge
IN Belgium, where he embraced journalism as editor
OF the Journal De C7sdrteyo'. In 1s4l he suffered
his nrst condemnation as Journalist, one month $
imprisonment and 2,00Of. fine rs chief editor OF
Liapdrtidi On Nord at valencienaes. After the
revolution OF February he was named Commssaire
General de la RcpuDique In the departments OF the
Nord and Pas dc Calais. In November, ls4s, he
founded Ia ReCouttOn Den,Ocrdfiq1n IL .S0cdte and