The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-17
The --latest Dispatches from Paris and
ersaiIies-ContraGictory Reports.

The Latest Despatchcs from Paris and
Versailles Contradictory Reports.
Our latest advices from Paris and Versailles
are to yesterday morning. They state that on
the morning of Saturday attacks were made
on the Porte Dauphine, which continued all
day. The quarter of the Champs Elysees has
been exceedingly damaged by shells from the
government batteries, which are still falling
thickly. The building of the United States
Legation was struck by fragments of shells
on Saturday, but Mr.. Washburne continues to
reside In the Avenue Josephine. Barri-
cades have been ordered to be erected
immediately In the quarters of the Tuileries
and Belleville, which are to render Paris
impregnable to the assaults of the gov
eminent forces. It Is reported by the
Communists that successive assaults on the
part of the government troops upon Fort
dIssy were repulsed on Friday and Saturday,
with severe loss to the assailants. 1t Is also
stated that in an insurgent attack upon the
government forces at Neuilly four hundred Of
the latter were taken prisoners. Both of these
reports are, however, fatty contradicted from
Versailles, from which place it is also asserted
that no important military events have trans
PRED. There has been, nevertheless, severe
fighting at Asneres and at Fort Vanvres, in
which the government troops gained advan-
tages, but with severe loss.
The above reports do not change the aspect
of affairs in and around Paris. There does
not appear to be the slightest chance of avoid
ing additional destruction of property and
life 1t is plain that the insurgents intend to
defend every foot of ground, and dispute inch
by inch the advance of the government forces.
The erection Of barricades in the quarters Of
the Tuileries and Bellevile indicates that the
Communists are preparing for the final assault
and are determined to make it as bloody
as possible. Terrible as the scenes re-
Gently enacted about Paris have been, they
will appear as nothing to those destined to
occur if the insurgent leaders continue to
resist the attacks that are now being made
upon their lines, and that they will resist there
is no doubt. They cannot escape, and they
know that capture is certain death hence
they will prefer to meet the latter at the head
of their men, or in defending barricade,
than suffer it at the hands Of the executioner.
II Is this knowledge Of their desperate posi-
ton that will do much to prolong the present
condition of affairs about Paris. They cannot
be pardoned no terms can be made with
them; they must surrender, but before doing
so they will accomplish all the mischief
possible.
The officers of the government troops, all
of them the old soldiers of the empire, and
many of them good soldiers Notwithstanding
their recent reverses, are equal to the occasion.
They know that the end of the Red rebellion
is only question of time, that it must die
from force Of circumstances that starvation
will do its work as surely, if not as quickly as
the bayonet. They can afford to save their
men and wait, and expend no more of human
life than is necessary to keep the insurgents
on the alert and prevent their establishing
positions that might prove annoying. Marshal
MacMahon knows well the people he has
to encounter, and they know him and
his ability. They are doubtless aware
of the fact that he is a man who will
carry out his purpose If possible, and not one
who will listen to any plan having in view
making concessions to those who are now in
arms opposing him. When the turn comes for
him to act-when the moment arrives that he
sees no other plan open to him to cause sub
mission but carrying Paris by assault-the
assault will be made, no matter at what sacri-
fee of life or destruction of property. We do
not look for 1t at present; it is evidently post
poned for good and sufficient reasons. The
government is master of the situation around
Paris, and 1t can afford to remain at Versailles
patiently until the Reds have been compelled
to lay down their arms and their leaders have
met the punishment they so justly deserve.