Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-02-08
GBt frteman
MONTPELIER, VI:
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8, 1871.
Last Days OF the Siege of Paris.
TIE AENIsTTcE AND ITS RESULTS.

1t is quite evident from the account given
that the French were not so much frightened
into surrender by the presence Of the shells,
hurled into their suburbs by the Prussian bat
teries, as by the absence of bread, the most
memorable Of all arguments to produce the
equalization Of beIeagure1 city. But
whatever may.have produced the result, the
civilized world breathes freer for the cessa-
ton Of this most sanguinary conflict, and
halls with JOY almost any terms that will Sc
cure peace. But the indications at the pres
ent time are anything but hopeful, and ev-
erything betokens long period of distur-
bance, if not Of actual war, in Europe.
The casualties from the bombardment up
10 the period above mentioned, as given in
the Journal OFciel, were Io9. Of these 81
were killed. the remainder wounded. Of the
81 killed, L. are children, u are women.
OF the I3S wounded, Il are children, IS
women.
The Tri5uHe's correspondent, says
!. The area bombarded embraces all the
southern subcrb Of the city. The shells have
fallen in every direction. spreading out like a
fan from the Prussan batteries, and tending
to the conclusion that the object has been to
cover as wide space as possible. 1t may not
he the result Of calculation-althOugh the
facts are in favor Of this c0nclusion-that the
hospitals schools, churches, and public build
ings over which floats the white flag with the
red cross, have been the chief objective points
Of the Prussian shells
Another letter, dated Jan. 10th. says
= The result Of my observations yesterday
10 I hava al dv
pressed first, that the material damage and
tho loss of life are trihing, when the area
bombarded and the density of its population
are taken into account and secondly, that
the moral effect, as means of reducing the
population 10 a submission point, has not
been produced. The only argument which
viii cause Paris to surrender is that which
famine will bring home to every one"
That argument has evidently prevailed,
and the German Emperor's prompt response
to the appeal for aid from furnishing Paris,
is an action of humanity which shows that
he can be generous, as well as rigorous, he
having sent in six millions of rations in com
plianee with the request of Favre, and 49,
600 head Of cattle.
1t is reported from Versailles, that the
terms of the armistice have been accepted
by all the departments of France excepi
Bouches du Rhone. Considerable doubt,
however, is expressed whether the armistice
and the election of the Constituent Assembly
will be productive Of permanent peace.
The offer was made by Bismarck to ex-
tend the provisions Of the armistice to the
southeastern departments, but was not ae-
81 bv- TtrIa h. ~
Belfort was one of the conditions.
The special correspondent of The Daily
Telegraph at Versailles, Feb. 3D., writes
that the flag of the German Empire was
hoisted over the Fort of Mt. Valerien alta
o'clock Sunday afternoon. The occupation
of the forts around Paris was effected very
quietly by the Germans, who showed no IN
due exultation, no anger, nothing to hurt
the feelings of the French unnecessarily
ST. Cloud and the Garches are utterly de-
stroyed, Nancressen is much injured, and
the whole country between the hostile lines
IL desert.
The revictualing of Paris is going on to the
full extent Observation-Disclosures will allow, but
the distress within the city is very great. The
Prussians began to provide for the restora-
ton of the railways and the provisioning
Of the capital the moment the armistic c
was concluded but the rolling stock was
found to be in a wretched condition. and IN
adequate to meet the demands made for the
transport alton Of supplies. Paris conse
quently suffers for want Of food, and is part
" supplied with rations by the Germans.
A dispatch dated London, Feb. 9Th, says
Several trains loaded with provisions en-
tered Paris yesterday. The Foreign Office
here announces that an offer has been made
to Count Bismarck and NJ. Favre to place
English resources at their disposal for the
supply of Paris with food, the arrangements
to be under the superintendent of French
and German agents.
1t is now known that about lS0 600 pris
oners were taken in Paris, with l 800 can
non and 400 feld-pieces and 1utrdiUeueS
The gunboats in the Seine, and the rolling
stock of the railways were also appropriated
by the Germans.
1t is reported at Brussels that an attemp
has been made at Paris 10 assassinate Gen
Trochu. The Generals orderly officer wa
killed, but he himself was not injured
Seventy thousand persons have asked 70
permission to leave the city. The museum
Of Versailles and St. German are uniDjured.
special dispatch to the New York World
from Berlin, Feb. 9Th, says
. Uneasiness is succeeding the exultatio
caused by the fall of Paris. Funds are dc
pressed, and no confidence is felt that th
terms of peace Will be accepted by the Boz
deaux Assembly. Constant exertions ar
making for the resumption of the war, tn
plan being to equip armies and overrun th
whole of France and to reduce II To submiS
sion by savage and relentless campaign"