The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-04
GROUSSET AND JOURDE.
Their Arrival in New York-An Interview with
the Refugees The Commune, Its Origin and
Meaning French Politics = Plebiscites
and Their Characteristic Repub-
lie and Free Education tho
Only Hope of France.


Messieurs Paschal Grousset ald Jourde, the
companions OF Henri Rochcort in his escape from
Noumea- arrived in this city on Tuesday night and
took up their quarters AZ Swecncy's Hotel, TO
which they were recommended by the proprietor
OF the hotel IN which they stopped IN San Fran
CISCO Being very iatigued after their long journey
they reured to bed almost immediately alter their
arrival without seeing any one. Next morning
they went out. IN company with French
friends, to transact some necessary business and
make few calls returning about two p. NJ
when a HERALD reporter them. NJ Paschal
Grousset the first TO come down, and, on the
reporter introducing himself. askei II ne would
ike TO see NJ. Jourde. on reply beng given in
the affirmative N. Grousset introduced his com.
panion
THE TWO COMMUNAL CHIEFS
are men OF very gentlemaniy appearance and man.
ner, and impress one at once rs being possessed Of
more than the average intelligence and education.
Pascnal Grousset, Minister Of Foreign Relations
under the Commune Is about i've feet Elk inches
height, OF good build, with dark nair and beard.
and an eye whose quick movements ana peculiarly
bright sparkle show ar Enthusiastically southern
origin. He Is. In fact. native OF Corsica. land
so thlckly impregnated with Bonapartism or the
most rabld kind that 1t Is somewhat OF a surprise
10 meet a prominent republican who halls from IL.
His expression is frank and open, and he looks
man straight in tie lace when speaking. with the
air OF one who is conscious OF having done nothing
to be ashamed Of He speaks with great rapldity.
but still with perlect ciearness There Is nothing
random about his statements and II is evident
from the way he grapples with subject that
he simply gives expression to the result OF mature
thought and careful consideration. A good deal
OF interest attaches TO NJ Grousset on account OF
challenge he sent 10 Prince Pierre Bonaparte
shortly before the outbreak OF the Franco-German
war, which resulted in the
ASSASSINATION OF VICTOR NoIR,
the bearer OF the challenge, by the Prince. Though
M. Grousset was then on the star OF the Marseii-
idise the quarrel arose OF articles published In
Corsican papers-one edited by NJ. Grousset the
other by Prince Pierre some time previously. AS
the horror inspired by this codblooded murder
and the indignation felt at the acquittal OF the
Prince had d great deal TO do with accelerating
the fall OF the Empire. M. Grousset became from
that day famous man. His reputation as lorci-
BILE and vigorous writer is also widespread, and
many French residents here who know his merit
anticipate great results from the restoration OF
two such trenchant pens as his and Rocheforts to
the ranks OF the republican party In France NJ.
Jourde,
THE COMMUNAL MINISTER OF FINANCE,
is rather tall man, OF slight build, with hair and
beard OF reddish brown color, clear. blue.gray
eyes and very animated expression. He 1t was
who really effected the escape OF the prs
oners. AS he was simply "deported" to New
Caledonia, and not confined in q fortified place
like Rochefort, Grousset and Others, he was sup
porting himself by acting accountant in a COM
merclal establishment, and therefore, had many
| opportunities OF communicating with friends out
/ side who were DESTROYS Of helping them. and used
these opportunities TO such advantage that his
/ v,aI ,xtn
The interview OF the HERALD reporter with the
two cXiles was Of an entirely informal character
and they spoke freely and unreservedly, as II chat
ting with an old acquaintance. Bringing three
seated and Immediately the conversation opened.
The escape, the journey here, the intended move
tory Of the Commune the present prospects Of re-
puplicanisn IN France-ali were touched upon and
opinions freely given; NJ Groussei spoke consid.
himself with occasionally expressing his approval,
and now and then entering into short eXpla-
Tney had heard OF NJ. Kocheort's letter, puo-
lshed IN last Sundays HERALD, bus had not
vet had an opportunity OF seeing 1t. On hearing u
s1etcn oi It's contents and being told OF The erect
1t has produce6 they expressed rhemsev quite
! satisfied. Wishing 10 nave the good opinion OF a
! republican people, and believing that here, as
everywhere else, strong prejudice prevails
against them, they are glad that sucn publicity has
been gwen to portion oI the truth, ana hope the
result VIII be that their real principles motives
\ and character VIII IN the end be properly under
stouu. Referring to the gu tbreak OF the Commu
ma insurrection NJ. Grousset said flew people
outside France have proper idea otthe causes that
led to the revolt IL Is very hard for u foreigner
to understand how We lelt IN France ut that tlne
The treacnery OF many OF the generals. Or their
cu.pabe neglect aud lncOmpetency. winch were al
most bad as treachery, mad utterly shaken pub
lie confidence. We did not know which side TO TURN
or whom to trust We lett CALLED and Inundated
ut the series OF overwhelming defeats we had sus-
tanned at the hands OF the Germans. The elections
took place III the midst OF TINS unce rtalntt ana
dlstrust while large portion OF French territory
was still occupied by the German armies. num-
Der OF men, some Of them before unknown. and
the greater number only partially so, were
elected simply Tor the purpose OF concluding peace
ana pledging themselves to accept the republic.
What did they 90 when they iound themselves IN
possession Of power Finding they had majority
Of inonarcnisls IN the Assembly, they at once be.
trayed the trust reposed IN them and commenced
to intrigue Tor the purpose OF
sTRANGLING THE REPUBLIC.
They appointed men OF VIGOROUSLY reactionary
principles to the command III all the principal
places and vigorously proceeded to GUST all men
rom positions OF trust or Importance who were
known to republicans. Vlnoy, the butcher,
whose hands were red win the blood OF citizens
81 Paris who defended Their liberties against
Napoeon's coup uttdt, was sent TO Paris evidently
lor the purpose OF being on hand Tor similar work,
and D'Aurehes de Paadines, noary old monarcn
Guard. such appointments were meant to pre-
pare the way Tor u coup a'etat and soon fresh eyi
uence was supplied us In the order to
DIsAKM THE NATIONAL GUARD.
which was the only safeguard Vi our liberties, and
depriving us Of the right 10 elect our own mayors
and municipal government Our most sacred
rights and liberties were attacked by a set OF un.
prncipled intrlguers who should have dissolved
the Assembly AZ soon rs peace was concluded, aud
allowed France To pronounce Ior herself what form
OF government She would nave, by ordering the
election OIL
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY.
W mat We're we w do under sucu circumstances
1t is very easy To decide dpfes coup, and those not
under ihe influence ol the passions ana feelings W
winch we were inhIenced ~ the tlme may easily
tell us We ought To have waited. HOW could we
Seeing our liberties attacked, We rose 10 delend
them, cold tout"
On being asked about the
MASSACRE OF THE HOSTAGES
| NJ. Grousset said 1.-THE hostages were Killed oy
An inlurlated crowd driven W madness oy the
BUICHERtEs or THE vEkSAiLLlsTS
after the Commune mad been ueicated ana the
members or the government had become hunted
lugtiveS."
H. Jourde, who had been listening attentively
up to this, contenting himself with expressing ms
endorsement OF tue statements Of ms companion
by q nod OF the head an occasional "Ouf' here
lnterposed and sand "a lew ngures that can be