Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/491



"Now thrown back upon the ramparts, between the French army and the Prussians, who have refused them passage, they will expiate their crimes, and have either to die or surrender.

"The too guilty Delescluze has been picked up dead by the troops of General Clinchant. Millière, not less famous, has been shot for having fired three times from his revolver on the corporal who arrested him. These expiations do not console us for so many misfortunes, above all, for so many crimes; but they should prove to these senseless men that civilization is not provoked and defied in vain, and that justice soon raises its voice.

"The insurrection, compressed into the space of a few hundred yards, is vanquished—definitively vanquished. Peace is about to be restored; but it will not succeed in relieving all honest and patriotic hearts of the profound sorrow with which they are afflicted."

", May 29, 1871.

"To-day a brigade of the army of General Vinoy commenced the siege works against the fort of Vincennes. As soon as the insurgents, who still occupied the position, perceived these preparations, they surrendered at discretion. One of the chiefs blew his brains out. Our troops took immediate possession of the fort."

The social war was terminated; the Communal insurrection had at last succumbed, and Paris was delivered.

This immense result was immediately announced to the Parisian population by the following proclamation from Marshal de MacMahon:

", May 28, 1871.

":

"The army of France came to save you.

"Paris is delivered.