The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-14
FRANCE.

An ANcupt 10 secure the Release oil the
Venerable Prelate by the American Minis
ter-Why He Cannot BE Relcased-What
General Ciuseret Had TO say-The Bishop
Visited in Prison.
VERSAILLES, April %, 1871.
On Monday last MIR. washburne endeavored to
secure the release OF Monselgneur Darboy, the Arch
bishop OF Partisan effort which. all the more that
1t Is not strictly within the range OF his diplomatic
duties, illustrates the generous readiness to sympa
thize with every good instinct OF humanity that
makes him so truly characteristic representative
OF the American people. Unfortunately the effort
was not crowned with success in It's main purpose,
although II certainly had the good result OF amelio-
rating the condition OF the venerable prelate and OF
comforting him with the knowledge that an active
sympathy was doing its utmost to open his prison
doors.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER AND THE PARIS GENERAL
Mr.. Washburne addressed himself In the matter
directly 10 General Cluseret who 1t will be remem-
bered, has, within year, been himself Indebted to
the Minister AMI TO American citizenship Tor re-
lease from prison. In approaching the delegate
for War; on this subject the representative of the
United States formally disclaimed for his exactions
any official character, since, OF course the preate
had no claim upon the American government or
people save what might arise through the common
feelings OF humanity-a claim that the visitor In
politeness had TO assume might be equally strong
with General Cluseret and the Paris government.
He represented that the character of the Archbishop
and his functions set him in respect outside OF
strict rules, and made his case
THE CASE OF EVERY FRIEND OF SOCIETY
and good order and Oh every man who would regret
to see civil strife pushed TO that worst extreme in
which 1t respects neither age nor the good purposes
and precepts OF religion; whence he deemed that he
might, without onlciousuess or having his motives
m INV rpas .l.ars.s
ness OF party passion might spare this old man, and
not in his person lay violent hands on what was q
refuge TO all men.
WHY THE ARCHBISHOP WAS IMPRISONED
General Cluseret said that the Archbishop was
imprisoned strictly that he might be hello host
age: and that III seiziag him particularly there was
no purpose 10 outrage either humanity or religion;
but he was taken rather tan others because OF the
higher value that would be set upon his life at Yer
saliies ana because OF the imperative necessity OF
stopping the massacre OF National GUARDS taken
prisoners. He assured the Minister that the lie or
the prelate was safe, and that no physical harm
could come 10 him so long the Versailles govern
ment respected the lives OF Its prisoners; they
Killed any more the Commune would retaliate.
WHY HE CANNOT BE RELEASED.
The further course OF conversation made IL evident
that there was absolutely no power anywhere in the
revolution that could possibly dare such measure
as the release OF the Arcoishop since the blnd fury
hood would regard that release as concession 10
'reactionary feeiing;'' and no one is strong |
enough-not even the dictator In the Hotel de |
ynleio brave that fury THIS perception that there
Is poiut az which the revolution Is beyond all
conirOi made III more than ever sad TO be compelled
20 abandon tue effort, since however safe the Arch
bishop may be while there is any form Of legality IN
the proceedings OF the Commune, 1t is clear that II
al any moment the Jury breaks out the Archbishop
will 40 a. the Two generals did on Montmartre.
N THE PRISON WITH THE VENERABLE PRELArR.
From the Hotel de Vile Mr.. WashDurne supplied
with pass went to the prison Mazas and saw Mon.
seigneur Darboy without difficulty He was the lrst
person not belonging to the prison the Archbishop
the first kindly human face may be conceived by
any sympathetic nature. In such position there IS
hrff I'M fhaf IN tlv tGfu fhn
Ihough;-the nope OF release; this MIR. Washburne
could not give, but whatever short OF that could
calm the anxiety or cheer the spirits OF the ageu
prisoner he said and did with rarest good viii.
The Strength Of the Versailles Army-Rendy
for Action-The Fire from the Forts-PIan
OF Observation-Disclosures Chaaccs-The Un-
dercurrenr OF Political Motives-The Raw
Head and Bloody Bones Of RepubIica nism-
The Army Of the Commune-How 1t Fights
and How II Runs Away.
VERSAILLES, April %, 1871.
At least 10000 soldiers OF the French army are
now III position for the operations around Paris and
these operations begin to assume a character that
would be formidable even II 1t proposed TO re-
duce city held by strong hostile army. They
therefore naturally seem somewhat exaggerated
when reflect that the city II is proposed to reduce
is simply that is politically dsafected, that has
no armament not contemplate in military point OF
view and no defenders but armed mob OF the
unframed masses OF the streets driven into battle
BY the Of events and altogether against their
will.
THE BoMBARDaENT.
Fire Is now maintained by the guns OF Versailles,
principally from six different points, part OF IL
directed against the walls and gates OF the city, and
part OF IL against the forts which the insurgents
had installed themselves before NJ. Theirs discovered
that ne had to deal with revolution Mont Vale
rien is the most important OF these points. Its guns
arc tweny-four FOUNDERS, whose fire can cover the
whole country inclnded between the fort and the
city well as the whole western section OF the city.
II now keeps upa
CONSTANT FIRE THE PORTE MArLror
and Its shells exploding In that nclghborhood inside
and outside the walls OF the city, have caused an
enormous destruction OF property Three batteries.
stationed on the heights In the immediate ne.nbor.
hood OF the barracks at Courbcvoie also shell the
Porte MaiIot. One OF these is q battery OF twenty
four FOUNDERS, one battery OF twelyc-pounders.
siege pieces, and the third battery OF
f1eia pieces. The elevation OF these pieces the
height nj Courbevoie gives them FIRE clear over the
houses Of Neuiy at the gate; but many OF the shells
falling short, explode among the houses Another
battery Is posted on the round point above the
bridge OF Neuilly, and fires At the gate down the
whole length Of the Avenue de Ia Grande Armee-its
shells often going 10 the Arc de Tromphe. striking
It, and frequently going far beyond IL and
EXPLODING IN THE AVENUE oP THE CHANTS
RLysEEs
Against the Are rom all these points the guns In
the bastions at the Porte Maillot maintain feeble,
Nj directed and comparatively ineGeciuai nre For
several days - etss"rfi r. Na
BATTERY, POSTED or THE rRocADEno,
che high ground In the city, opposite the Champs de
Mars, has endeavored 10 shell vaerien. Three or
Tour Of IL shells have fallen into the fort and all
the rest, failing far short have exploded III the