Evening star., 1914-10-11

NEHG France. during the
1z - trying days of the
Franco-Prussia war of 1901. Upon
the shoulders of Mr.. Washburne fell
the greatest diplomatic burden of that
war and of the siege of Paris. To him
was intrusted not only the care OF
American interests in France, but the
much more difficult task Of protecting
the Germans who were within the con-
fines of the nation with which Ger
many was at war.
Against the latter was directed all
the bitter hatred OF the French people
and it took tact, patience and alert
ness-and. above all, the solemn warn
ing of the Stars and Stripes-to save
them from harm throughout the con-
flict. That Mr.. Washburne succeeded In
this great responsibility has always
been looked upon as one of the high
est achievements of American diplo-
macy.
-
The dispatches which tell this story
had themselves most interesting jour-
neys- Some OF them were brief cable
messages slipped out of Paris in the
embassy dispatch bag to London,
whence they were cabled to the United
States. Others were carefully written
letters which reached the state ne
partment through confidential messen-
gers. and occasionally in dispatch bags
that went first to the German head
quarters outside Paris and from there
to our London legation and then to the
United States. But all of them are
athril with the vivid happenings ~
those great days, and between the
stories of what the legation did in he
naif OF the thousands of liyes that
were intrusted to it Mr., Washburn.
wrote graphic account of the occur
Iences IN the beleaguered citv FROM
9ay .,y, 20 @ aay; All OF them were iliumined
going on behind the scenes ~ - va VA
touch OF the secret side of that rreae
s,sge OF Paris that gives to his com-
ionicauons IN so important a standing
IN the eyes Of historians.
All through the days OF the ver
tn1ough the more trying days Of the
RUE OF the commune, whose "Reien of
terror made the war days seem tame-
n,nister @ Washburne remained at his
post. and his accounts of what took
place are vivid hrst-hand CONTRIBUTIONS
to history. ~ASAA0
He described the riotine in Paris
when the first news of French vic
dGsn d1ses. tnat were really defeats. was
anger Of the populace was directed
against the Germans who were stu in
Paris and under the protection of the
Stars ana stripes At this time came
placed at Mr.. Washburne's disposal by
the Prussian government for the care
Of its citizens.
1T has come none too soon," wrote
q oh 1wvU
hundred subjects of the North German
Confederation have been to the 1er..
tion today to get their passports to
leave French territory. Among this
number have been many persons OF
extreme poverty. and whose condition
was in every respect most deplorable.
Since the breaking out of the war no
Germans have been able to get work.
and the poorer are, therefore TODAY
without work. without money, without
credit. without friends, without bread.
threats of violence. with no means of
leaving the country, they have come to
me to save them. Women with little
babies in their arms, bathed in tears
our legation as their last hope. feel
1mmeasurably thankful that the lib
erality of the Prussian government has
enabled me to afford these poor people
some reileI. l give each one 80 francs.
which is enough to enable them to
reach the German frontier, where
have no doubt they will be taken care
Of 1 shall do all in my power to as
suAge the miserfes of these people
whose cruel situation must Challenge
the profoundest sympathy of every gem
erous heart"
Then followed long dispatches con-
cerning the efforts not only Of Mr..
Washburne. but of the other ministers
in Paris. to secure protection for the
non-combatants for whom they were
responsible.
In the meantime came the downfall
of Napoleon III and the end of his en-
pire, with the consequent establish-
ment of the Third Republic. But the
new government did not make II any
easier for Mr.. Washburne. and when
the siege actually began the situation
was most acute.
For instance. at IL o'clock Monday
night, October 81. 1870. Minister Wash
burne sent this dispatch:
The day has been one of much ex-
citement and interest. The arrival of
NJ Theirs. the disgraceful affair of Le
Bourget of yesterday, when the
French permitted the Prussians to
surprise them and recapture the town.
and the terrible news of the fall of
Metz. all conspired to create a pro-
found excitement in Paris. 1t is almost
impossible to get at the truth in re-
gard to the state of affairs, but. as
satisfied national guards and a crowd
of the red republicans invaded the
Hotel de Vile this afternoon and took
the government OF the national de-
fense prisoners. They then went to
work and organized what they called
the government of the commune and
fixed upon the candidates to be elected
tomorrow by a vote of the people Of
Paris.
II inclose you a card cc--7:,ing a
list of the names of the 'r.:ols to
form this new governrl~nt of the red
republic. 1 went to the Hotel de Vile
at o'clock tonight and found that 1t
had been invaded by soldiers. The
magnificent hall Of the municipal coun-
Gil was densely packed with soldiers,
singing. shouting, yelling and speech
making All seemed to consider that
the revolution was practically accom-
plished, and that nothing was wanting
but vote OF the people Of Paris. to
be taken tomorrow. have just learned,
however, that Gen. Trochu and Jules
Favre escaped early In the evening.
and that they are now organising to
put down these new revolutionists- At
any rate. the generate Is everywhere
beating, and gentlemen bring me the