THE FRENCH DEFEAT IN TONQUIN. Extraordinary Excitement In Parts.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 101, 9 May 1885, Page 6

THE FRENCH DEFEAT IN TONQUIN. Extraordinary Excitement In Parts.

The Chinese forces gained a victory over the French at Langson on Friday, March 28th. They carried the key of the position and entrenchment, driving the French back beyond Dang-dong, from whence they fell back on the Long Koi. The Chinese force was estimated to be 50,000 strong, and the French lines were menaced in every direction, General Needier was severely wounded in the chest, and is not expected to recover. The French lost vast quantities of commissary and other stores. General Brierede L'lsle telegraphed for a reinforcement of 20,000 men. The Cabinet decided to send the force asked for at once, and asked in the Chamber of Deputies on March 29fch for a credit ot 40,000,000 francs. The municipal authorities of Paris voted 100,000 f rancß tor the relief of the wounded French Boldiers. When General Negrier was wounded, 279 Frenchmen had already been killed and wounded, and General HerJinger, seeing that every man falling into the hands of the Chinese would be killed, threw his artillery 'and a portion of the treasure and stores into the river, utilising the mules to carry the wounded in the hasty retreat. The excitement caused in Paris by the news of the disaster was tremendous. Long before the hour for the convening of the Chamber the streets in the vicinity were packed by crowds of excited men, and ife soon became evident that trouble was brewing, for the Government had a strong force of military on hand to preserve order. Notwithstanding these precautions, the galleries of the Chamber were crowded with people, who plainly showed irritation over the defeat by keeping up a noisy discussion, and hurling denunciatory epithets at the various members of the Cabinet and their supporters as they entered the Chamber, When Jules Ferry, the Premier, arose to announce the decision of the Cabinet Council, he was loudly hissed. He had barely finished his declaration when a number of the Deputies of the Right sprang to their feet yelling "Down with the wretch !" while above the din could be heard the voice of Clemenceau as he fairly screamed "Traitors!" It was some time before order was restored. If the troops had not been present, personal violence would have been done. During the scene inside, the crowd outside became a howling mob, and could only be kept back from breaking into the Chamber by the determined attitude of the military. The Ferry Cabinet resigned on the 30th March, and President Grevy requested Senator Dr. Freycinet to form a Ministry, which at first declining he then attempted, and eventually failed in doing, on account of the discordant views of the members at a preliminary meeting. On the sth April Brisson accepted the task of forming a Ministry, and made a coalition with Dr. Freycinet. The work was completed on the 6th as follows : — Brisson, Premier and M mister of J ustice ; Dr. Freycinet, Foreign Affairs; Allan Targe, Interior; Clamageran, Finance ; Goblet, Public Instruction ; General Camerron, War; Sadie Carnot, Public Works ; Pierre Legrand, Agriculture ; Herne Magnon, Commerce ; Sarrieu, Posts and Telegraphs ; Admiral Galliber, Marine and Colonies. The Chambers and the Senate voted 10,000,000 francs, the first instalment of the credit of 40,000,000 francs, on March 31st. The situation in China is considered grave by many, while a few aftect to treat ifc lightly. The Paris ' • Times " correspondent thinks a French advance to Peking, as urged, impossible, considering empty arsenals, lack of transports and provisions, and other deterrent circumstances. It was reported in Paris on March 31st that the Anamese had risen, and that the French troops had evacuated Formosa and gone to Hanoi. A despatch from the latter place, April Ist, says the situation of the French army there is critical. A large Chinese force under European leaders was endeavouring to cut off the French retreat. The Chinese, in large numbers, were harassing the French troops in their retreat from Langson. General Negrier has recovered from his wound, at first thought to be mortal. "Le Paris," of April 2nd, asserted that China had accepted the peace proposals, notwithstanding recent successes, made by Miuister Ferry before hia resignation, and that they were conducted by Mr Campbell on behalf of Sir Robert Hart, InspectorGeneral of the Chinese Marine Customs, who was authorised by the Chinese Government to carry on the negotiations with France. The basis of the treaty is that the Chinese shall evacuate Tonquin, the French shall occupy Formosa till the treaty has been executed, and shall forego an indemnity from China, and that a treaty of commerce be concluded giving trade advantages to France. The members of the Extreme .Left approved, on April 2, the proposal of Lockroy that 'operations in Madagascar be stopped, and the French troops now there be transferred to Tonquin. On the4th,the samo party decided to proceed with the impeachment of the Ferry Ministry, and agitate the subject of a cessation of operations in Tonquin, and for the conclusion of a treaty of peaco with China. The Republican partisans resolved to advocate an energetic defence of the interests of France in Tonquin and support the Ferry policy. Paris despatches of the 11th say the Government has decided to form two divisions, under the command of General Courey, for service in Tonquin. Another division will remain in the South of France, ready to embark at any moment. It is hoped, however, that China will fulfil fthe tenriß of tho treaty, and thus render a despatch of rein* forcementaunaecesaary.

Hotel on -Saturday eyening - last, was largely attended. t On tne motion of Mr Mills, seem led by Mr T. Woods, Mi' Pavitt was moved to the chair- . _ r _ In opo.it&? the meeting, the Charrman said .We all want . to be able to cross the bridge to the other side, and we want 6 the- contractor' to push on with the work necessary to enable us to do so. He believed the contractor for the eompl 'turn of tne line of railway (Mr Livingstone) had' sub-let a contract for forming the embankment approach to the l»rilge. The Chairman briefly referred to ' the immense public convenience the opening of the bridge for general traffic would prove, and remarked that ,the f Waitoa settlers were not only anxions to have the bridge made available with' a? little delay as possible, but were also williner to contribute towards any expense that might be incurred ;,one gentleman from VVuitoa had that (lay promised to contribute *£5, and he (the was sore they would have* lit le difficulty in raising any funUs required for so desirable * work. It would be greatly in their favour if they could appeal to the Government in the matter, at , the same tim*! being in a position to show they were themselves williug " to help in the taatter of snch extra cost as might be necessary, in order to have the biidge ■speedily made available. - ; The Following resolutions were then submitted; — 1. Proposed by Mr Jas. Mills, seconded by Mr Thos. Wood, "That in the opinion of this, meeting it is desirable to request the Minister Df Public Works to declare the Te Aioha bridge ■open for public traffic, and cause a temporary approach to be made without delay." Carried ananimously. 2. Proposed by, Mr, J. A, Dobson, seconded by Mr F.* J. Lawrence, " That this meeting undertakes to collect » sum «qual to oae-third of the cost of forming the temporary approach." Carried unanimously. . 3. Proposed by -Mr J. Layery, seconded by; Mr W. Hethrington " That the Chairnian of this meeting forward to the Minister of Public Works a copy •of the foregoing resolutions, with such explanations as He may deem necessary." Carried unanimously. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr Warren for kindly permitting the use of his room, for the purpose of holding the meeting.