OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN FRENCH AND CHINESE IN TONQUIN.—GREAT BATTLE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4036, 28 June 1884, Page 3

OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN FRENCH AND CHINESE IN TONQUIN.—GREAT BATTLE.

FRANCE DEMANDS REPARATION FROM CHINA.

THE AUSTRALIANS V. GENTLEMEN OF ENGLAND.

(Received June 27, 2.30 p.m.)

HONG KONG. June 26. Intelligence has been received of a fresh outbreak of hostilities between tho French and Chinese troops in Tonquin. The accounts to hand state that a detachment ot French regulars numbering 700 were proceeding to occupy Langson (an important town on the Tonquin - Chinese frontier) ,_ •When they were attacked by a large force of Chinese, who had been holding Langson m violation of the treaty concluded last month between France and China. A severe engagement ensued, resulting in tho repulse of the Chinese, who aro said to have numbered 4000, with heavy loss in killed and wounded. The casualties on the side of the French are given as 49 killed. In consequence of the outbreak of hostilities M. Patcnotre, the French Commissioner m Tonquin, has been ordered to Pekin to demand reparation from the Chinese Government for the attack, and tho violation of the

Tientsin treaty. The French fleet under Admiral Courbct has further been ordered to proceed northwards to support M. Patenotre's demand. (Received June 28, 1.15 a.m.)