Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/105



"Art. 3. Equally are remitted any sums due for furnished apartments.

"Art. 4. All leases are renewable only at the pleasure of the tenant (they could be renewed only on his terms, whether unexpired or not), which may be done any time during six months from date of present decree.

"Art. 5. All notices to quit may be prorogued for three months, at the pleasure of the tenant.

""

There were several other decrees issued the first day of more or less importance: one prohibiting government officials from receiving orders from the Versailles government; another prohibiting any proclamation emanating from Versailles being posted on the walls; another appointing General Bergeret Commandant la Place de Paris, Etat-Major at Place Vendome, whence all military orders, watch-words, etc., must emanate.

One of the first acts of the Commune was to display the red flag from the Palace of the Tuileries. Hearing also that the Duke d'Aumâle was in France, the official journal, speaking on the subject, said: "Society has only one duty towards princes—death! It is only bound to observe one formality—the proof of identity. The Orleans are in France; the Bonapartes desire to return; let all good citizens be warned and act!!!"

In reading the official organ of the Commune, one cannot be mistaken as to the scope of the movement of which Paris had taken the initiative. The business of the newly elected members was to discuss and draw up, like Frenchmen in the middle ages, their charter and constitution, and to devise means for getting them recognized and guaranteed by the central power. Thus France, without suspecting the fact, and without the movement having been prepared or indicated by any book, journal, speaker,