The Washington herald., 1914-08-09

received the credit Of 5000 thalsrs from
the Prussian government to assist them.
From that time tin the middle Of Sep
tember. when the northern railroad was
cut. we were literally overwhelmed with
these poor people seeking the yisas Of
their passports and the means OF get
ting away. FOR days, and I may even
blocked by them awaiting their turn TO
be ATTENDED ID. on one day more than
500 had ssthered In front Of the legation
before 7 o'clock In the morning, and In
some days there were not less than from
1850 TO 1900 persons In waiting. II took
q police force Of six men to keep the
crowd back and keep the door open 50
that the people could enter In their turn.
A Critical situation.
''considering the large German popula-
ton here prior 70 the breaking out OF the
war, IL Is not q matter of wonder that
a good many were found here when all
communication was inally cut on De-
prtved OF all their worth. their little re-
sources exhausted, the intense hostility
Of the French people toward them. bad
as their condition was, II was to become
Infinitely worse IN case OF q siege. Many
were imprisoned for vagabondage, and
many were detained charged with being
spies. dangerous persons, etc
Many were too old and infirm to leave
Some were children left behind who had
been put out TO service: but. perhaps
the largest number we're female domss-
tics, most OF whom bad been persuaded
by their employer 10 remain. under
pledges of protection. But as the siege
progressed and tbs price Of living aug
mented, many OF these persons. dis
charged by their employers or denounced
to the authorities, were turned into the
street. only to be arrested and imprtson-
ed In one Of the prisons. which Wis
tied some three or fur weeks since. I
found seventy-four persons Of this class
I arranged for the release OF most Of
them, and have had them comfortably
cared for, and with the promise Of the
French authorities that they shall be
protected-1 have now $50 that l am pro-
vidinE for. From the Prussian fund still
remaining in my hands I think I have
sufficient to take care Of them till the
end OF the siege"
Three days later Mr.. Washburne sent
this description Of living conditions in
Paris:
The people are suffering their priva-
tons with a good deal Of fortitude. II
they could be made to believe that
France could be saved they would suffer
to the last extremity. Fresh meat.
including horse and mule, is very nearly
exhausted. Poultry. butter. cheese, etc.
are about out o. the question. A turkey
sells for SIS, a chicken for 81 butter sells
for "a a pound. There is yet quite a
quantity Of vegetables. but at high prices.
The price Of bread is fixed by law, and
has not been raised much. Wine is album
dant and cheap. The time is not far
distant when the great mass of the peo-
pie of Paris must live on bread and wine
almost entirely"
In December Mr.. Washburne was noti-
fled by Secretary Fish that he might
leave Paris whenever he desired. Declin-
ing to take advantage Of this opportu-
nifty, he said:
Reasons for Not Leaving.
The French government having here
tofore given them every opportunity for
leaving. which they did not take advan-
tage of, now declines, for military rea-
sons, to permit the people Of any ma
tionalIty to leave Paris. Therefore, my
countrymen now here all look to me for
a certain protection, and they would
much regret to see me 90 away. leaving
them behind. There is also a large
amount of American property in Paris
under my protection, and circumstances
may arise where Il might become i'm
portant for me to be here. / am
now furnishing 81 poor Germans pc
cuniary assistance, and the number is
increasing every day"
December u, 1870: Everything seems