The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-10
The Drama of Blood Before Paris.


The Drama Of Blood Before Paris.
On Saturday last the fighting before Paris
was resumed, and our dispatches represent it
as having been desperate Throughout the
day the guns of Fort Mont Valoren and the
artillery of the government forces kept up
steady fire upon Porte Maillot many of the
shells falling in the Champs Elysees. Under
cover of this bombardn1ent the troops are said
to have crossed the Seine at Azuieres and
concentrated at Longohamps. They must, con-
seq,enly, be in the Bots de Boulognp. On the
south side of Paris an engagement took place
at Viiljuf small town some three miles
distan. from the ramparts and in front of
Forts Iyry and Bcetre. This place we take
to have been the advanced position held by
the Insurgents. The result of the conflicts not
reported, bu. it must have been favorable to the
Versailles army, as the dispatches state that
the troops had gain I'd ground in front of Forts
Montrouge and Bicstre. More desperate fight
ing was, however, anticipated. Ia fact, we
by the insurgents. At last accounts flotilla
of gunboats and train Of siege guns were on
their way to aid in reducing the city and the
southern forts. In addition, M. Theirs was
said to be averse to forcing an entrance into
Paris b. fighting, preferring the slower and
less bloody process of an investment.
Unaware, as we are, of the precise situation
Of affairs around the French capital, II is diff
cult TO form correct idea concerning the
wisdom of M. Theirs reported policy. Bat it
is certain that, whatever may be the best
plan for the Army Of Versailles to follow, the
insurgents dare not permit an investment Of
Paris. The city contains but very small
supply Of provisions, and, If invested,
must captulate to starvation In q
few days. Hence we conclude that
the Communist leaders will endeavor TO
break through the line which seems to
be gradually drawing around the ramparts.
Their chances Of success are, it must be
said, rather slim. Already we have reports Of
their lighting among themselves in the Fau-
bourg st. Antoine because of the refusal of
some of the insurgents to 60 beyond the walls.
Whatever be the true cause of
these Observation-Disclosures it be terror
Of the government forces or disafec-
tion--th fact Of the insurgents lack
ing in unity will materially aid the authorities
in crushing the insurrection and restoring
order. But be this as it may, we still hold to
the opinion that the end will not arrive for
some days yet, and that in the interval there
will be severe lighting.
The situation within Paris continued most
deplorable, although the ''party of concilia-
ton" were redoubling their efforts, and had
held public meetings in favor of peace, which
were attended by members of the Commune.
Paris, however, was under the control of
desperate gang of wretches. Bergeret had been
arrested, arbitrary arrests had increased In
number, more priests had been thrown in prison
and church services had been generally sus-
pended To add to the horrors of the situa-
ton, the insurgents, compelled to evacuate
the Champs Elysees, were engaged in erecting
additional barbados in other parts Of the city,
thereby inficting much misery upon the inhab-
itants.
Napoleon's name comes up again In the
dispatches in statement of q London paper
that Bismarck is still favorable to his restors-
ton. This, however, may be mere opinion;
but even If It is authoritative 1t cannot help
the ex-Emperor unless the Germans interfere
in the civil contest now pending, and We
doubt If Napoleon would accept the throne
from German bands. He would prefer to take
1t from any party in France, even from the Com
munists themselves. Nor, by the way, would
II be anything very extraordinary If the Paris
insurgents, finding their cause hopeless, were
to proclaim the restoration Of the empire
and thus win over the army opposed to them.
II must be remembered that the Same class of
men now in revolt supported the insurrection
Of June, l84S, which was suppressed by
General Cavaignac. This revolt began with
shouts Of "Vioe Napoleonl" and "VScs
vEmpereurf" and the men who uttered them
were just a. much communists and socialists
as are the insurgents now behind the ramparts
and barbados Of Paris.
THE Ku KLux bill will probably be reported
to the Senate by the Judiciary Committee just
as It passed the House, and will probably be
passed at once without amendment. On the
heels Of this bill Representative Hale, of
Maine, proposes to introduce a new amnesty
bill that is more generous than preceding
ones, and is, consequently, an appropriate ten
der 10 the Ku Klux bill. But 1t still lacks the
element OF full, free pardon to every one, and
thus lacking generosity lacks true statesman
ship