Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/260

 organization for the one I had adopted, in order to make up for the improvidence of their authority, always uncertain and badly obeyed. The result of their meeting was a project, at the moment when men were wanted, and a declaration of principles, when acts were necessary.

"My indignation brought them back to other thoughts, and they promised me for this day, as their final effort, an organized force of 12,000 men, with which I undertook to march against the enemy. Those men were to assemble at half-past eleven; it is now one, and they are not ready; instead of being 12,000, they are about 7,000, which is not at all the same thing.

"Thus, the nullity of the Committee of Artillery prevented the organization of that arm; the incertitude of the Central Committee arrested the administration; and the petty preoccupation of the chiefs of legions paralyzed the mobilization of the troops.

"I am not a man to recoil before repression, and yesterday, while those officers were deliberating, the execution-company awaited them in the court-yard. But I am unwilling to assume alone the initiative in an energetic manner, to take on me the odium of the executions necessary to extract from their chaos organization, obedience, and victory. Again, if I was protected by the publicity of my acts, I might retain my command. But the Commune has not had the courage to make its proceedings known. Twice already I have given you the necessary information; and on both occasions, in spite of me, you have held a secret committee.

"My predecessor was wrong to struggle in the midst of this absurd situation. Enlightened by his example, and knowing that the strength of a revolutionist consists solely in the precision of his position, I have two lines to choose from—either to crush the obstacle which hinders my action, or to withdraw.