No. 68.
Mr. E. B. Washburne to Mr. Fish.
Sir: The decree of General Trochu, governor of Paris, which I have the honor to send herewith, marked No. 1, appeared this morning in the official journal, and was placarded over the city last night. Being so sweeping in its terms and so emphatic in its declarations, it of course created a very great degree of excitement among the large number of Germans yet remaining in Paris. The legation was besieged at an early hour by a large crowd of Germans, and although I had employed as many men as could work, yet the number was nearly as great at night as it was in the morning. I felt it my duty to call and address myself to the Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne in regard to both articles of the decree; the first in regard to the very limited time allowed for departure, and the second in relation to the application for the special permission for “séjour” in Paris. In this matter I should state that I acted in concert with Mr. Kern, the Swiss minister, protecting the Bavarians and the Badois, a diplomat of wisdom, experience, and energy. We saw the minister of foreign affairs separately, and who explained matters to each of us in the same way, but referring us to the minister of the interior, who was more particularly charged with the subject. Accordingly Mr. Kern and myself called on Mr. Chevereau at 7 o’clock this evening. In the first place we called his attention to the short time allowed to the Germans to leave Paris, and that even if they were ready to go, it would be utterly impossible for us to furnish them with the requisite papers. In reply, Mr. Chevereau said that although three days was the time named in the proclamation, yet no advantage would be taken of those who were unable to get away within that time.
In the second place, in regard to the permission to be obtained for a sojourn in Paris, we explained to him that we could not, in our diplomatic capacity, make any application whatever to General Trochu, and that our dealings must be with the civil authorities; that if the terms of the proclamation were to be adhered to, we should be powerless to render any aid to the parties with whose protection we had been charged. I explained particularly to Mr. Chevereau the very large number of Germans under my protection who had lived for a long series of years in Paris, and had vast interests at stake; that many of those persons were connected in business with American citizens, and to compel them all to leave would be an incredible hardship, and would entail immense sacrifices. The minister replied very promptly that that question had been just considered by the government, and that our applications could be addressed to the prefect of the police, who had been charged specially with the whole business. He told us to make applications for whoever we pleased, and that they would be considered without any delay, and that whenever we submitted an application of any party for permission to remain in Paris we might consider it as granted unless we had special notice of its rejection.
I have the honor to send you further a notice which appears in this morning’s “Journal Officiel,” and marked No. 2. It is an invitation to all persons in Paris who are not in a condition “de faire face à l’ennemi” to leave Paris. In my interview to-day with the Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne I asked him about this notice. He replied that while it was not to be construed as an order which would oblige Americans to [Page 108] leave, yet under existing circumstances he thought it would be well for me to recommend my countrymen to get away as soon as they could, in their own interests. Everything shows that the French government look upon a siege of Paris as probable, for it is making the most stupendous preparation in that direction. I have telegraphed you to that effect to-day in cipher, and also, looking to possibilities, I suggested whether you should not ask the Prussian government to protect Amercan property in Paris, in the event its army reached here. I need not tell you there is a very large amount of property owned by Americans in Paris, and I hope it will be respected by both sides as property of neutrals.