The New York herald., 1871-03-25
Spread or the Iusurrection In France.

spread OF the InsurrectiOn In Fruncos
What we predicted would result from the
continued inactivity Of the French government
has already occurred. Our dispatches this
morning report the spread of the insurrection
of Lyons and Marseilles. In Lyons the
mob have proclaimed the Commune and
raised the red flag. By way of inducing
the red republican Lyonese to keep quiet M.
Theirs has instructed the city authorities to
provide them with work. We fear that he is
too late. What will few sous per day appear
in the eyes of men who aspire to general dis
tribution of property? The Lyons mob, how
ever, have not yet gone as far as their patriotic
brothers of Marseiles, who appear to have
seized the telegraph stations and cut off COM
munication. 1t is not difficult matter to
imagine the events that are probably transpir-
ing in that city.
That the situation in France is much graver
than the Versailles government will admit is
evident from the measures it is adopting to
suppress the insurrection. M. Theirs appears
to place his whole dependence in the volun-
teers and Gardes Mobile of the provinces, to
whom he is making appeals which betray his
doubts and apprehensions. But little or
nothing is said about the regular army, neither
is any intmation given that the thousands Of
imperial soldiers returning from Germany are
ing order. In addition, all the principal off,
GERS fthe late imperial army who have returned
from prison are retiring from the military ser
vice, without exception, the despatch says,
although the name of General Ladmirault is
now referred to in connection with the military
command of Paris. Is not their retirement
very significant of their lack of confidence in
the present gov vernment of France? In 1880,
when Charles was driven from his throne; in
1S4S, when Louis Philippe was expelled, and
in 1851, when the coup dftat restored the en-
pire, but few army officers of any prominence
resigned. What other cause than distrust of
M. Theirs government can be attributed to the
retirement from the army of call the principal
officers, without excepton?"
Any hope entertained that the Germans
will aid in the restoration Of order in France
will be pretty nearly dispelled by the perusal
of letter addressed to the insurgent COM
mander-in-chief by the Prussian general COM
manding at St. Denis. That officer declares
that he will maintain "a passive and friendly
attitude" as long as the terms of the preliml-
nary treaty Of peace are not violated. AS the
general could not have given such an assurance
without authority we must conclude that
Prince Bismarck adheres to his expressed
determination not to interfere in the reorgani-
zation of the French government. Naturally
enough the Paris insurgents are much elated
by the friendly tone of the letter referred to,
while the Parsians who oppose the insurrec-
tion suspect the Prussians Of completely with
the rebellious movement. We believe the
suspicion entirely without foundation. Bis
marck wants the five milliards of francs war
indemnity paid, and he knows very well that
he never will get them from red republican
government.
It is stated that the s'men of order" among
the Paris National Guards are moving ener-
getically to aid in suppressing the insurrec-
ton; but, as this report comes from Ver-
saHes, it must be taken with "many grains of
allowance" What chance have they against
the ferocious brutes of Montmartre and Belle
vile? The fact is that the prospect is very
gloomy for France. Lyons and Marseilles
have revolted we expect Bordeaux and the
other Southern cities to follow suit and, with
the regular army disaffected, M. Theirs will
have no easy task in restoring order and tran
quillity. AS regards the army, despatch
says that General Ladmirault will probably
succeed General vinoy as its commander.
Ladmirault is dyed-in-the-wool imperialist,
and was Senator of the empire. We should
rather have supposed that General de Wimpf-
fen would have been appointed, as he is
bitter enemy Of Napoleon and supporter of
the Orleans dynasty. Ladmirault, however,
is a good officer, and handled his troops with
considerable skill in the battles before Metz.