The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser. — 1871-01-21 (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England)

PROTEST AGAINST THE CANNONADE. The Government of the National defence at Paris have issued a protest against the bombardment, which has been posted up throughout France, and has caused great indignation, and has—it is said— strengthened the determination of the people to carry on the struggle to the last. The text of the proclamation is is follows —"We: denounce to the European cabinets and the public opinion of the world the treatment that the Prussian army does not shrink from inflicting upon the city of Paris. It is now nearly four months since the Prussian army has invested this great capital, and held captive its 2,400,e00 inhabitants, which she had flattered to reduce to surrender in a few days, having reckoned upon conspiracy and faintheartedness. These auxiliaries failing, famine was called to her aid. Having surprised the besieged, deprived of an army of assistance, and even of organised national guards, she was able to surround them at her ease, and to erect batteries which launch death at eight kilometres. Entrenched behind this rampat, the Prussian army, h aing repulsed the offensive attacks of the garrison, commenced to bombard some of the forts. Paris has held firm. Then, without previous notice, the Prussian army directed against the city enormous projectiles, with which its formidable engines of warfare enable it to overwhelm the city at two leagues distance. Some four days this violence is being carried out. Last night over 2,000 shells reached the quarters of Montrouge, Grenelle, Auteuil, Pussy, St. Jacques, and St. Germain. It would appear that they were directed at pleasure against the hospitals, ambulances, prisons, schools, and churches. Women and children were wounded in their beds An invalid at Val de Grace was killed on the spot. These inoffensive victims are numerous, and no means was afforded them to guard against this unexpected aggression. Moral law condemns it highly, and qualifies as a crime death inflicted outside of the cruel necessities of war. These necessities were never accepted as an excuse for the bombardment of private dwellings, the massacre of peaceful citizens, or the destruction of hospital retreats. Suffering and weakness have always found consideration in the eyes of force, and when they have not disarmed it, they have dishonoured it. Military rules are in accordance with these great principles of humanity. The most credited writer on this matter says— It is customary for the beseieger to announce, when there is a possibility of doing so, his intention to bombard a city, in order that the non-combatants, especially the women and children, may leave the place, and provide for their own security. It may, however, be necessary to surprise the enemy, with the view of rapidly capturing the position, and in that case the failure to announce the bombardment would not constitute a violation of the laws of war.' The commentator quoted adds—' The custom forms part of the laws of war, which is a struggle between two States, and not between two private persons. Treat the latter with as much consideration as possible, such is the distinctive feature of civilised warfare. Also, to protect the great centres of population against the dangers of war, they are mostly declared open towns. Humanity demands that the inhabitants should be warned of the moment when the fire will be opened on all occasions when military operations permit it.' Here, in this instance, doubt is impossible. The bombardment inflicted upon Paris is not the preliminary of a military enaagement—it is devastation coldly calculated, systematically accomplished, and having no other object than to create terror amongst the civil population by incendiarism and murder. It is to Prussia that was reserved this unequal enterprise against the capital which has on so many occasions opened to her its hospitable doors. The Government of National Defence protest loudly, in the face of civilised world, against this useless act of barbarism, and heartily joins in the feelings of the outraged populatisn, who, far from allowing itself to be cast down by this violence, gathers from it fresh strength to struggle and repulse the shame ef foreign invasion.