The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-26
THE vERSAILLISTS.
Jules Favre's speech Before the Assembly

Vtrsailes april 10y Correspondence London Times.
NJ. Jules Favre, freshly returned from the
German headquarters of Rouen (where. he says
privately, he was overwhelmed with civllity by
General Fabrice, who shook him by both hands,
felt the necessity of making a speech in which,
however, though the exordium promised much,
there was mighty little matter in proportion to
the number of words. He said he desired to
speak to the Chamber on q subject which must
be constantly in their thoughts, and as to which
he regretted be was not able TO give them iRfor-
nation day by day. He alluded to the efforts
of the Government to restore public peace and
deliver the territory. He was about to give in
formation to the Chamber touching the rela-
tions recently established between the Gov
erpment and the German authori-
ties. (Hear, hear) Rumors had been
current as to which 1t was desirable that the
Government should give some explanations,
maintaining always that extreme and scrupu-
lous discretion which every one must under
stand to be necessary. AS soon as the news of
the Paris insurrection became known in Europe
the most universal sympathy for the Government
was manifested, and no wonder; because every
Government felt that the brave French army
was defending the cause of civilization all over
the world AS to the German authorities, they
expressed very justidaole uneasiness; they
feared that the conventions with France might
be compromised by new state of things which
raised unforeseen perils. 1t was, however,
most important to state that the German Gov
ernment had never ceased to show the most
implicit confidence in the Assembly. (Bravo.)
1t believed in the legitimacy OF the elect of
universal suffrage, cBraSS;G Bravo again.) The
ceal. Notwithstanding calumnious reports
to the contrary, they had spared no pains to
allay German apprehensions and had constantly
refused offers of German assistance-(applause)
being fully persuaded that they were able by
themselves triumphantly to put down the insur-
rection. 1t was of come importance to explain
the attitude of the German authorities towards
the insurgents. 1t had been reported that some
maj hpra of the (Ommnna had oOnfarrad with
the staff at st. Denis. 1t was true that on April
4 person-(M. Jules Favre pronounced this
word with a theatrical emphasis, implying int
mite scorn)-belonging to the Commune had
made communication to the German authori-
ties. General Fabrice had shown him the docu-
ment, and he was about to read it without COM
ment. 1t was of extreme importance, as showing
the profound folly of those who had usurped the
government of Paris:-
Foreign Relations.
Delegations.
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
After getting thus far, NJ Jules Favre, who
had said lie was going to read without comment,
delivered the following commentary:-"Yes,
gentlemen, at the head of this document we find
the immortal motto, which, coming from Paris
under present circumstances, seems ridiculous
How can these bloody men, who assassinate, i'm
prison. and exercise all sorts of violence against
the person, dare to talk of liberty? What equa-
lty can exist under this handful of factious
men but equality in shame and misery? need
say no more; for who shall speak of fraternity
in the name of those who for the last week have
been pouring mtraille upon our brave army 2"
After this well-considered improvisation, M.
Jules Favre begged pardon for the depression,
and proceeded with his reading
Commune OF Paris to the Commander.i .in-Chef OF
the Third COrps-General: The delegate OF the
Commune Of Paris for Foreign Affairs has the honor
T o Paris 10 y so % c @ rest n
France In the ful1lment of the peace conventions
concluded with Prussia, and 1t is therefore the duty
OF Paris to ascertain what progress Is making In the
execution OF the treaty. will, therefore, ask you
| TO let me know especially whether the Versailles
| Government has paid the first instalment of five
| hundred Millions and whether In default OF this
| payment the German generals have fixed time for
the evacuation of those districts OF the Department
| of the Seine and the forts which form an integral
| part Of the territory of the Commune OF Paris.
| should be much obliged to you, General, for an
| sWer The Delegate for Foreign Affairs,
| PAsCHAL GRoU5SET.
| was received with shouts of laughter, neeC
hardly say that General Fabrice sent no answer
That General thought with him that the best
answer would be the expression of the legit
mate indignation and contempt of that Assem-
bly,. (Applause) The same parsonage who
had signed the document had previously ad-
| dressed a circular to the representatives o
| foreign powers, assuring them of his fraterna
sentiments, and of his desire to live in peace
with all the world, always, of course, excepting
France. (Laughter.) He could not, any NOR,
than the members of the Corps Diplomatique
regard this circular as an interference will
foreign affairs. The only unmistakable inter
vention in that department which he knew O
was the robbery of all the plate in the Foreign
Office, on the Quai dOrsay. (Sensation.)
NJ. Jules Favre concluded with a splendit
peroration devoting the men of the Commune
to the execration of history.