Editorial note — XXX.

“Considering that the Government of Versailles has wantonly trampled on the rights of humanity, and set at defiance the rights of war; that it has perpetrated horrors such as even the invaders of our soil have shrunk from committing; “Considering that the representatives of the Commune of Paris have an imperative duty devolving upon them,—that of defending the lives and honour of two millions of inhabitants, who have committed their destinies to their charge; and that it behoves them at once to take measures equal to the gravity of the situation; “Considering that the politicians and magistrates of the city ought to reconcile the general weal with respect for public liberty, “Decrees: “Art. 1. All persons charged with complicity with the Government of Versailles will be immediately brought to justice and incarcerated. “Art. 2. A ‘jury, of accusation’ will be summoned within the twenty-four hours to examine the charges brought before it. “Art. 3. The jury must pass sentence within the forty-eight hours. “Art. 4. All the accused, convicted by the jury, will be retained as hostages by the People of Paris. “Art. 6. Every execution of a prisoner of war, or of a member of the regular Government of the Commune of Paris, will be at once followed by the execution of a triple number of hostages, retained by virtue of article 4, who will be chosen by lot. “Art. 6. All prisoners of war will be summoned before the ‘jury of accusation,’ who will decide whether they be immediately set at liberty or retained as hostages.”