THE STATE OF PARIS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 730, 22 September 1870, Page 4

THE STATE OF PARIS.

TUMULTUOUS SCENE IN THE CORPS LEGISLATIF.

Paris, August 7.— The Journal Officiel, in a second edition, to-day, publishes, the following proclamation : — "Frenchmen : Up to this hour we have always given, without reserve, all certain news which we have received, and we continue to do so. Last night we received the following despatch : — 'Metz, August 6.—Midnight.—Marshall M'Mahon has lost a battle. General Frossard, on the Saar, has been obliged to retreat. His retreat was effected in good order. All. can be retrieved. Napoleon.' "'Metz, August 7. — 3.30 a.m. — My communications" have been interrupted with Marshall M'Mahon. lam going to *place myself in the centre of the position. Napoleon.' "'Metz, August 7. — 4.30 a. m.— MajorGeneral of the Army, to the Minister of the Interior : After a series of engagements, in which the enemy brought a heavy force into the field, Marshall M/Mahon was forced to fall back from his first line. The corps of General Frossard had to fight yesterday from two p.m. with an entire army of the enemy. Having held his position until six p.m., he ordered a retreat, which was made in good order. Le Bceuf.' "Details of our. losses are wanting. Our troops are full of elan. The situation is not comprised in our territory, and a serious effort is necessary. A battle appears imminent. In the presence of this grave news our duty is plain. We appeal to the patriotism of all. The Chambers have been convoked. We. are placing position [Paris ?] with all possible haste in a state of defence. In order to facilitate the execution of military preparations, we declare the Capital in a state of siege. There must be no faintheartedness, no divisions. Our resources are immense. Let us pursue the struggle without flinching, and the country will ba saved." " The above document is signed, 'Paris, August 7, at 10 p. m. By order of the Empress Regent.' M. Ollivier, Minister of Justice ; Duke de Grammont, Minister of Foreign Affairs ; M. de Valdrpme, Minister of the Interior ; M. Segres, Minister of Finance ; Gen. Vicompte de Jean, Minister of War, ad interim." August 9th, 10 a.m. — La Liberte publishes the following account of the scene to-day about the hall of the Corps Legislatif: — At one o'clock, groups formed before the hall^which grew greater every moment, and soon there were more than ten thousand persons assembled. The people were calm and unarmed. There were, however, shouts, from time to time, of "a bas laPrusse" and "Vive la France." Deputy Fery, who appeared, was received with shouts, and commenced an address, as follows : " Friends, be calm." At that moment Marshall Baraguay d'Hilliers arrived, and the officers of the National Guard and others surrounded. There were loud cries of " Vive Chargarnier" and " Vive la France." The crowd was increasing all the while, and shouts were heard of " Vive JRochfort," from the electors of Belleville, who had come to make a demonstration. At two o'clock, the troops of the line were ranged around the hall, as also a squr 'Iron of cavalry. They were received by she crowd with cries of "To the frontier! to the frontier ! !" Circulation was stopped on the bridge leading from the hall ; and the Commissary of Police made a legal summons for the people to disperse. The cavalry at once broke into a trot along the street, and the crowd withdrew still shouting. At a later hour a detachment of Grenadiers of the Guard came v up, and were received with derision by the crowd, and shouts of "to the frontier !" ■'•...*■ Evening. There are enormous crowds on the Boulevards and streets to-night. The people are much agitated. , The shops closed early ; in many places the authorities are taking precautionary measures with both police and military. Another telegram says : — Paris, August 9.— The session of the Corps Legislatif opened at two o'clock this afternoon. Schneider presiding. As soon as the formalities of opening were over, Ollivier addressed the House as follows :—" Messieurs : The Emperor, in Ilia proclamation, told you if circumstamosa should prove unfavorable, the EinpKa»3 would call you to her ; we have not waited until the situation was compromised before calling you." [Interruption by M. Feuro, who exclaimed, "It is too audacious.''] Ollivier continued : " We call you at the first sign of trouble. Some of our troops have met with reverses, but the greater portion remains unvanquished. Our citadels, our natural defences and our munitions are intact. We ask you to aid us in organising the National Guard." [Deputy Pier said: "All sacrifices with you."] M. Ollivier resumed : " We are prepared; we can arm 450,000 men. Paris and the Departments which are threatened, are in a state of siege ; Prussia hopes to add to her own advantages by our intestine troubles ; but her expectations will not be realised.. We shall defend ourselves. In one word, it were unpatriotic at 3uch a time to dwell upon personalities. Accuse, doubt us, we shall not amwer, except to defend the measures we intend to propose. If the Chambers is not with us [Ironical cries and int.rmptions] it is wanting in the performance of its first duties. Let us nob lose time in discussions. This I beg, as perhaps this is the last time I shall mount this tribune. Make no speeches ; send me away if yon

deem it best." [Shouts from the Left of " Yes, yes."] Deputy Bumaulin interrupted by proposing that the Presidency of the Council of Ministers be confirmed. General Tochu and Jules Favre demanded that the Chambers should at once assume the direction of public affairs. Paul de Cassagnac said that if he was a Minister he would send before a council of war men sustaining such a proposition. A scene of great violence here ensued between the members, Heard asking that the Chamber pronounce a vote of censure against the Ministers, and members of the department continually demanding calls to order. Cassagnac, temporarily presiding, refused to accede to these demands, saying violence on one part would produce violence on the other. Finally, Ollivier, after a great effort to make himself heard in the confusion, said— "Some of my colleagues ask me if I would have them shot." (Duke de Grammont exclaimed — "They all ought to be.") At this expression, Deputy Estancelin reached towards the Duke, shaking his fist in his face. Deputy Ferry also left his seat and threatened the Duke, and the members of the Right rushed from their seats, and interposed to restore order. The President put on his hat, and in the midst of the confusion its session was temporarily suspended. M. Jules Favre, on the resumption of the session, demanded the immediate consideration of the proposals, but was refused by a vote of 190 to 54. M. Clement Duvoernois then proposed an order of the clay, declaring that the Chambers, desirous of insuring energy iv the national defence, proceed to the order of the day. M. Ollivier refused to accept the order of the day, and rested the fate of the Ministry on its passage, but the order was adopted, and at the request of M. Ollivier a request was taken that he might withdraw and consult with his colleagues. M. Ollirier returned after a brief absence, and mounting the tribune, said : "In the presence of the vote of the Chamber, the Ministry has given its collective resignation to the Empress Regent, who has accepted it, lam instructed to declare that General Palikao has been charged with the duty of forming a new Ministry. -(Applause.) As for us we shall continue to do whatever our country demands of us, and from the moment our successors are appointed, whatever misfortunes they may encounter, they will have our support." After this declaration, the members separated in great agitation. In the Senate, the resignation of the Ministers was also, announced. The Minister of the Interior has issued a proclamation announcing that, according to the terms of the article of the law of the 9th of August, 1849, on the declaration of a state of seige, the millitary authorities have the right to interdict publications of a nature to keep up disorders. As such a proposition as that made by Siech, to institute a Committee of Defence, tends to anarchy and compromises unity of action, creating agitation, and by the advice of the Council of Ministers it is decided that the millitary authorities shall apply the proscription measures to any journal making such a proposition.