Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/218

 General Eudes was then appointed commandant of the fort, with strict orders not to leave his post, to receive no flag of truce, and to defend himself till death.

It was General Cluseret, however, who first came to the rescue of the abandoned fort. When he heard of the panic he immediately sent forward the "Avengers of Paris" and other battalions which had not seen service for some days. It was too late, however; Generals Dombrowski and Wroblewski both sent in their resignations on account of Cluseret's mismanagement, but on hearing of his arrest withdrew them.

The arrest took place at the Ministry of War at 6 o'clock in the evening. The insurgent soldiers were all posted at the different outlets to the building. Two men without any other insignia than the red scarf entered his cabinet, one being the bearer of a warrant from the Commune. On seeing them the General is reported to have said: "For the last week I have been expecting this step, and am rather surprised that it has not been taken sooner. If I had been guilty of what I am accused, that is to say, treason, I should not have waited for your coming." He was then taken in a carriage to the Conciergerie. His action threw the Commune into the greatest state of perplexity, although the official organ announced the fact without commentary, as dryly as if General Cluseret had not been, during nearly a month, generalissimo of the armies of the Hotel de Ville. Had he been meditating a capitulation? Had he come to an understanding with the chiefs of Versailles? Had he conceived, in fine, a coup d'etat? Did he wish to have himself proclaimed Proconsul, Protector, perhaps Emperor? These were questions which helped to agitate the already excited brains of the Parisians for several days. His arrest, however, was in the natural order of things; first M. Lullier, then M. Bergeret, and after the latter M. Cluseret. One more victim, and the list was full.