The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-20
Ms, WASE2UagE AID TIE COMMUNE
TIE Am rican is,ii,;;;ss..as and the American
colony DuriEg the P'ri.s Of the Hour.
WHIST He Did to Ameliorate sufferings and
Tone Down outragss-How Mr Washburne
Could Have Had Paris Bcmbarded at His
Pieasurs-A Chapter for History.


French history succeeded IN commanding respect
from the exasperated authorities here thai has
been accorded 10 no other ambassador or 10 the
subjects OF no other Power When diplomats are so
apt 10 be 1unkeys and weak reflections OF the great
men whom they address with sentiments OF my
most distinguished consideration" 10 Is with
manly PRIDE that the Americans OF Paris recall the
career of their upright and Independent minister,
have been a frequent visitor 10 the Legation and
know well the esteem with which Mr.. Washburne
regarded but above all the admiration OF foreign
subjects whose ambassadors have not remained In
Paris during the bloody months OF March, April and
MAY, But ASIDE from our minister's relations with
IN French he has always been in position to pro-
tect Americans with any military force which he
might demand OF the Prussans; and, as an oppor-
tunlty did occur showing the good feeling OF the
Germans, II Is wei TO make 10 known as part OF
Tie history OF the tunes,
TIE MINISTER'S HOUSE ENTERED AND THREATENED.
on May Il, the day OF the entry OF the Versailles
troops, body OF National Guards entered Mr.
WasAburnes house, sacred always according to all
international usage and law and prepared to commit
uepredatlons stating that he W0nid no longer be
respected as an envoy and that he and his goods
were at the mercy Of the Commune like people and
things Of no ohlcial importance. Mr. washburne
not at the time present at has mansion but the
facts soon came TO the knowledge Of General
fabrlce, commanding the Prusstan forces 10 the
nortnward OF Paris, and the General at once In
formed Mr.. Washburne that II he was not in person
and property held invlolable that Paris should be
0ombardcd within twenty -four hours. This
ENERGETIC MEASURE
had its effect and the triumphant entry of the gov
power OF the rapacious scoundrels OF the Commune.
Thus Paris was at the mercy OF the American Min
lister, and al his word thousand guns would have
poured their iron han upon this grand city. have
reason 10 believe tnat Mr.. Washburne would have
tesorted TO every measure save this to uphold
the honor and dignity OF the United States: but all
others failing, he would have felt II his duty to
apply this deplorable remedy. The government,
powerless TO protect him, could have made no OBJ
lection TO such a measure OF necessity.
TRUSTED BY BOTH.
Mr.. Washburne Is the only ambassador OF great
Power who has moved between Versailles and Paris
one who renamed in Paris during the siege per.
forming the difficult task OF providing for ana pro-
tecting his own countrymen, caring for the delicate
a6ars OF Germany and yet maintaining the most in
Innate and cordial relations with NJ. Jules Favre and
the Government of the National Defence II is true
that two or three journals habituated to seeking
ont victims to whom they could assign the disasters
OF France bounced upon Mr.. Washburne for the
readiness and success with which ne placed $4,000
GerDans beyond the fury OF Paris mob. But these
journals, ndgety after notoriety they partially
achieved won conspicuous failure in their crusade
against the American Minister. 1t is hardly posi-.
bic for reader 5000 miles away from the scene OF
action TO understand with what fnesse all diplo-
matte operations must be conducted in France l
do not refer TO what the French cali fnesse for that
means intrigue and discrimination, but 10 the rnesse
employed by Mr.. Washburne explained as q bold
and resolute course, friendly alike TO France and
Germany, but independent manly ana outspoken.
MR.. wAsHBURNE's POSITION.
II was not difficult for the most talented and logi.
cal OF Frenchmen to understand Mr. wsshb urne's
position. They perceived 1t and praised it, They saw
IN IL rejection OF the honest American character
and the exact attitude OF the United States towards
q country suffering terrible national modification.
could not perceive and would not understand. The
same is true OF the remarkable sixty-seven days.
eating from the dark 18th OF March. Mr.. WASH
movement begun on that day. With a remarkable
clearness OF vision be argued that though IT might
be revolution, IL was one headed by men who had
nothing at stake by putting their wild theories
the shoulders OF France; one against The popular
an instruction. AT the same time he was the Min
lister OF the United States and, acting In the inter-
certain relations with the Communists TO protect life
and property eopardzed In the capital. His connec-
uons Win these men were not, however, 0fcial,
even as decided as those OF Prince Bismarck, when
the German Chancellor spoke or IAN arrangement
with the Commune"
HOW ARCHBISHOP DARB0Y MIGHT HAVE BEEN
SAVED.
The world knows how, by employing little tact,
Mr. Washburne toned down many arbitrary proceed
lngs and undoubtedly saved many lives. Arch
bishop Darboy 10 an EXAMPLE. Our Minister visited
sRgravations OF the prison CELL He held the instru-
ment OF deiverance in his hands and 1t only needed
policy on the part OF NJ Theirs to save the life Of the
wa no
rendition OF Blanqui-an old, sick, wasted aud fast
dying reyouionist condemned TO death for partici.
patng In the nGsco Of the 31st OF 0ctober-then Mr.
Darboy would have been put at liberty. But no;
compromise, never and SO the venerable Arch
bishop died.
There was not sore opened by the Commune that
MI Washburne did not examine. All the convent
sacking and cnurch-pilferlng and Decorating was
duly Inspected by him, and II the Commune claimed
10 nd great abuse the bones OF murdered and Sc
questered these were viewed and an opinion formed
upon their truth and justice. Mr.. Mexican, Mr..
wasnournes private secretary. moved from day
TO day through the low haunts, and went
into filthy cellars, where summary tribunals OF the
Commune were condemning men upon pretext
several. VINO doubtless would have been laid away
m nameless graves, or permitted to suffer In the
damp dungeons OF
IL was not always good fellowship or disinterested
courtesy that gave 70 Mr.. washburne the facilities
prompted the Commune not 10 stand upon ITS cory
GGePendsnce As for me- feel assured ,ha, me
tVnIuulllsH GENERALLY were wen ubpOSeu toward
the United States and Its citizens.
IN GOING AROUND
among them l always found them impressed that
Their way OF doing things was Just our way, and
none other; that the Commune OF Paris was only q
second edition OF the United States and that they
were the purity and the perfection OF the science OF
government AZ far IS the Communists had
honest desire TO establish self government In France
and erect permanent institutions upon that basis I
believe that they had the sympathy OF the jorty
OF Americans here. ! state this fact because there
has been great cutlery against the supposed
sympathy OF the AInencans. II went no further
than j nave indicated. The newspapers
tand malign us; but after all, they are pursuing
hbeIr old plan OF "trdhSon' and oslraclsIn. The
French people as General 1rochu Justly remarks
cannot stand defeat with good grace neither can
they stand a sudden success without undue exulta.
uon. They always want more blood, more proscrip
uOn, more eternal hatred, and they want everybody
10 agree with them In this tendency The Ameri.
cans that have spoken OF have TOO much inde-
pendence TO chime In with such q ghastly sentiment
8s tnis-hence we have little pamphlets, "HOrs de-
france; hOrs DE- Paris; tous les 6udnDt7s.n Yet,
with all these Efforts OF the rhetorical Francs,