The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-08


position. During the living generation the
issues settled by the war Of our great rebellion
were maintained, and with the generation to
come they will cease to be debated. It is too
late in the nineteenth century to think of
upsetting the fixed facts Of equal rights, civil
back to the South as 1t was, or to the Union
as it was under Buchanan. Such delusions
are flt only to be classed with the dreams of
the French Communists, who are fighting for
their cid Jacobin republic Of the guillotine.
Severe Battles Before Paris-Incrcnsins
Gravity or tho Situation.
For the past two days battle has been
raging before Paris, surprising in magnitude
any of the engagements Of the late siege.
Nearly all the dispatches from France which
we publish this morning, including our
special reports from Versailles, are devoted to
accounts Of the fighting, which they all repre-
sent as exceedingly bloody. The battle field
extended from Geneviliers, on the north
east of the city, to Charenton, on the south
east, and the numbers engaged were evidently
large. The result Of the contest at Neuilly has
been favorable to the government. After a
desperate struggle, in which the slaughter
was great on both sides, the insurgents
were driven from the bridge. Follow
ing up their success, the troops crossed
the Seine, attacked the Communists, who
appear to have obstinately contested their
advance, and finally drove them under the
ramparts Of Paris. At last accounts the Army
of Versailles held positions before Porte
Mailot so that we reasonably expect
renewal to-day Of the terrible carnage.
NJ Picard, in his official report, claims
complete success, but admits that the losses
of the government forces were serious, and
our correspondent telegraphs that the loss Of
life was terrible. 1t is evident, however, that
a blow has been struck which must be seri-
ously felt by the Communists.
The conflict at the bridge Of Neuilly and
along the Avenue de Neuilly was not the
only engagement which took place on the west
side of Paris It is stated from Versailles that
q column of insurgents are, or were, sur
rounded at Gcnevilliers, on the peninsula of
that name; that it had made bold but futile
effort to cut its way through and return to
Paris, and it is certain that it was fighting
yesterday.
On the south of Paris some engagements are
also reported In addition to the sharp artil-
lery duels between the forts held by the insur-
gents and the government batteries, q fierce
battle is reported as having taken place
between Forts Vanvres and Chatillon,
the result of which the insurgents
claim to have been the recapture of
Chatillon by them. This claim, however, is
evidently false, as our latest dispatches from
Versailles say nothing on the subject. On
the whole, it is certain that the Government
has gained decided advantages. At the same
time it is equally certain that the struggle is
not yet over. and that the fratricidal shedding
of blood will continue for some days longer.
On the side of the insurgents the utmost deter
mination is expressed not to treat for peace,
and the Commune, with unnagging energy,
pushes forward the work Of organization and
defence. This, of course, was to be expected.
The Communist leaders know that if they fail
the guillotine will be their doom, and, conse-
quently, they are making every exerton to win.
Within Paris there is perfect reign of ter
ror. The prisons are crowded houses and
churches are pillaged; priests are arrested
and imprisoned, and meetings in behalf OF
cancellation are prohibited Chaos and an
archy are supreme for the time being. Yes
terday there were no religious services in the
city, although the day-Good Friday-was
one Of the most solemn known to the Catholic
Church. The scenes enacting In the French
capital are of such a nature as to make the
world horror-stricken and indignant.