the National Assembly to stop has broken out with fresh fury. On the other hand, the Commune, by putting forward no programme, and by refusing to explain its views with regard to ours, has deprived the defenders of the rights of Paris of the advantages they would possess in having the ground they take up clearly marked out. In the presence of the foreigner, who watches our movements, we hold to the conviction that the only possible issue from the present conflict is to be found in a compromise, of which we have indicated the essential elements. In this position of affairs we have a duty to perform, namely, to maintain the whole of our programme and to take such resolutions as, following the various phases of the struggle, shall appear to us best calculated to ensure the triumph of our principles. We have decided from the present moment to place ourselves in communication with the municipal councils of the principal towns in France, and to make known to them the legitimate wishes of Paris, to which we shall lend a powerful support. Lyons, which has obtained its Commune; Lille, Macon, and other towns which understand that the cause of Paris is the cause of all the Communes of France, have anticipated our appeal. Their intervention is a sign which it would be imprudent in the National Assembly to misunderstand. Let the Assembly comprehend at last that all the great cities of France have resolved to uphold towards and against all, the Republican form of government, and to give it as an unshakable basis, Communal liberties in their integrity."
The Commune finally issued its programme so frequently
called for and so long delayed. The document
is of such an eccentric character that it well deserves to
be reproduced. It was published in the official journal
of the Commune, April 19th:
