Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/257

 When one had read these announcements, he would say to himself, There is evidently an armistice. So much calm evidently indicates that the situation is quieting down. All at once is heard a most frightful cannonade; fighting is going on everywhere; men are being killed, wounded, and made prisoners, and blazing houses light up the besiegers from a distance. Every one was aware of the fact, except the official organ of the Commune, which knew nothing about it.

According to the official journal,"the citizen who fights, or whose relatives do so, will know at the end of the war whether the combatants are victorious or vanquished."

The Delegate of War, however, occasionally sent a despatch direct to the journal, and the astonishment of the Commune can be imagined, when, on the morning of the 10th of May, the following four despatches appeared officially, one under the other:

"Montrouge, Bicètre.

"Respective positions maintained. Bas-Fontenay continually attacking."

", Issy.

"The 'rurals' don't like to advance in this country."

"12:30

"The tricolor flag floats on the Fort Issy, abandoned yesterday evening by the garrison.

",

"The Delegate of War."

"One o'clock.

"General Brunel, Commandant of the Village of Issy, is charged to occupy the position of the Lycée, and to connect it with Fort Vanves.

",

"The Delegate of War."

These were the last official announcements of Colonel