s only supposed to have 4000 indigent persons, whilst in reality the
number is 50,000, and by this means it was hoped that the popularity of
this pure Republican would suffer, and perhaps riots break out which
would be put down--(the divulgation of this plot against the mayor of
the nineteenth arrondissement is received in different ways. A person
near us observes--"All the same, he ought not to have resigned.") This
incident over, the discussion goes back to the treasons of the Hotel de
Ville. It is well known, says a speaker, that a sortie had been
determined on in a Council composed of four generals, presided over by
Trochu, and that the next morning the Prussians were informed of it. Who
told them, who betrayed us. Was it Schmitz, or another general. (A
voice: "It was the man who eats pheasants." Indignation.) In any case,
Trochu is responsible, even if he was not the traitor himself. ("Yes,
yes; it was Trochu!") Another citizen, not personally known to the
audience, but who announces that he lives in the Rue Chasson, says that
he has received by accident a confidential communication which, perhaps,
may throw some light on the affair. This citizen has some friends who
are the friends of Ledru Rollin and of the citizen Tibaldi; and one of
these friends heard a friend say that either Ledru Rollin or Tibaldi had
heard Trochu say that it was impossible to save Paris; but that he would
have 30,000 men killed, and then capitulate. (Murmurs of indignation.)
The citizen of the Rue Chasson has received a second confidential
communication, which corroborates the first. He has been told by one of
his neighbours that everything is ready for a capitulation, and he
thinks that he will soon be enabled to communicate something still more
important on this subject; but in the meanwhile he entreats the
energetic citizens of Belleville--(indignation "This is not
Belleville")--pardon, of La Villette and of the other Republican
faubourgs, to keep their eyes on the Government. They must have no
confidence in the _quartiers_ inside the town. The Rue Chasson, in which
he lives, is utterly demoralised. La Villette, with Belleville and
Montmartre, must save Paris. (Applause.) Another citizen says that he
has of late frequently heard the odious word capitulation. How can it be
otherwise? Everything is being done to make it necessary. We, the
National Guard, who receive 1fr. 50c. a-day, are called the indigent.
What do the robbers and the beggar