THE TIMES ON THE FRANCOCHINESE QUESTION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3798, 17 September 1883, Page 3

THE TIMES ON THE FRANCOCHINESE QUESTION.

DEATHS OF HON. HUGH LAAV AND M. CONSCIENCE. THE ANNEXATION QUESTION. LONDON. September 11. The Times, reviewing the FrancoChlnoso question, advocates that the English fleet in the China seas should be increased. Obituary—M. Henri Conscience, Flemish novelist, aged 71 ; and the Right Hon. Hugh Law, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. September 12. The Boer envoys Avho were appointed to proceed to England to negotiate for the settlement of the native difficulty in the Transvaal leave ou the 17th inst. September 13. Lord Derby, iv his despatches on the annexation question, claims that the interests of other countries form a serious impediment to a complete jurisdiction over the AVestern Pacific and Savage Islands, and also the great distance which separates them. Ho states that there is no evidence to show that the colonies had sufficiently considered the responsibility attached to tho annexation of theso islands. There is nothing in the despatch Avith reference to New Guinea. IBs Lorship in communications with Earl Granville, respecting the present development of penal establishments by France similar to that in New Caledonia, stated that ho expected to receive protests from the Agents-General on the subject. Lord Derby's answer to the memorandum from tho Agents-General on the subject of Pacific annexation is generally regarded as unsatisfactory. It merely repeats tho vag-uo assurances formerly given.

By Electric Telegraph:.— Copyright. [Reuters Telegrams.]