Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/476



hear), and the Lord Mayor of London has asked us for permission to send a number of those belonging to the English capital to co-operate in the task of saving Paris. (Loud applause.) The French Government at once replied that it accepted that assistance, and at the present moment a body of the London firemen are, with their apparatus, on the way to Paris. (Renewed marks of approbation.) Belgium, likewise, was unwilling to remain behindhand, and the Government of that country has made us the same offers of aid. The steam fire-engines of Antwerp have also left for France." (Long continued cheers.)

The burning of the docks of La Villette was the signal for another defeat of the insurgents.

In fact, during this same day, General Ladmirault executed at La Villette a movement similar to that of General Vinoy on Charonne. The two army corps took their positions simultaneously in the rear of Père-Lachaise, and in the rear of the Buttes Chaumont.

The troops advanced on the Place de la Rotonde, which is the central position of La Villette by the Rue de Lafayette and the Boulevard de la Chapelle.

In the Rue de Lafayette they encountered a vigorous resistance at the Strasbourg Railway Station and in the Boulevard de la Chapelle, at the barricades of the Rue d'Aubervilliers.

These positions being taken, the barricades were attacked vigorously, both in front and flank, and were unable to hold out, although their principal position, the Douane-Centrale, was a veritable bastion. It was then that the docks were set on fire.

The army was then allowed a few hours repose before making a supreme effort, which was to crush entirely the insurrection.