The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1879-10-04
PARIS LETTER.
Irregular Correspondence
PARIS, Sept. 7th. 1879.

thesaidf correspondence
PARIS, Sept. 7th. 1879.
The Figaro has been interview
ing some of the communists who
nave just returned to Paris, and
as the account is instructive as
we'll as interesting l may lay a
brief resume thereof before your
readers. These communists dis
play the utmost JOY at being once
more free in France, and declare
never again will they NEEDLE
with politics. None OF them will
admit that they ever fought F.:
They mounted guard they were
informed against, but they never
shed a drop OF blood. They suf
tered much during tn" voyage 20
New CALEDONIA, although tire
weather was fine and they were
well treated. When they landed
Oh the DIE des Pins they were
exposed for three whole days to q
steady %downpour, and then tents
were procured, and they ran up
small cabins. There were five vii
lagos, Of which they were allowed
full liberty and had only to re
port themselves once a week.
After the escapes however, the
reports were more frequent.
Some cultivated the ground,
others bred pigs others again
worked at the trades which they
had practiced at home. Some,
indeed, who could do nothing had
to content themselves with the
Government ration, which was
fresh meat every two days, pre-
served meat on the Monday and
the Wednesdays, and bacon on
the Friday. Every day coffee,
brown sugar, salt, and oil were
served out. No wine was provid
cd those who wanted it bought
it On the sly from the English
ships, or openly at the canteens,
where, however, it was very dear
Il frame aud d half the litre. The
Communists were allowed a new
pair oftrowsers every six months,
aud one blouse per annurn. As
for their chassure, they went
barefoot most of the time. In the
evening they met at each others
huts, smoked their pipes, played
cards and dice, and talked over
France and the Commune. They
ever had the theatre or Sunday
afternoons. the troupe being com
posed OF former artistes butthere
were no actresses, and although
there were twenty-five women on
the lie DIES Pins WHO had come
out to join their husbands, not
one of them was ever seen on the
stage. Questioned as to how they
first heard OF the amnesty, these
Communists replied that the news
leaked out from those who were
employed as servants by the over
Seers. The Intelligence was off
ciaily announced at the end OF
April, when the commandment
read out the names OF the first
eleven hundred amnestied. He
WAS greeted with cries ut "Vive
Ia liberten and "Vive la France"
but not of'Vlve la Commune"
No one they declared desired the
commune again. From that hap
Ply moment all work was at an
end, but they did not lose much,
as their toll was very poor y re-
munerated. They could not com
plain OF their treatment dulinG
the homeward voyage, though
they were badly off for fresh meat.
which was only served out once
in every ten days, and then it
was simply cow beef. The crew.
however, were not better Off III
this respect. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
rels and later Oh lhirty barrels Of
water we've placed at their dispos
al every day, but t1ey did not con
slider this allowance sufficient and
suffered much FROM thl1st, especi
ally while in the tropics. Finally
all the communists interviewed eX
pressed an intention to live quiet
" and work hard as soon as they
were provided for, and it is
satisfactory to add that some
have already found means ior
obtaining an honest livelihood.