WAR IMMINENT BETWEEN FRANCE AND CHINA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1179, 27 November 1883, Page 1

WAR IMMINENT BETWEEN FRANCE AND CHINA.

Paris, Nov. 22. It has transpired that the Marquis Tsing, Chinese Ambassador, has informed M. Ferry, the Premier, that an attack by the French forces on Bacniph, Tonqqin, will be deemed ,by the Chinese Government a casus belli. The Marquis Tsing has also informed M. Ferry that the report to hand two days ago that the Chinese troops had evacuated Bacninh is devoid of truth. Nov. 23. Several additional transports are being equipped at Toulon for the conveyance of further reinforcements of French troops to Tonqum. Hong Kong, Nov. 24.

Intelligence to hand Irom Csnton shows tliat active preparation?, in view of an outbreak of war with France, are brinff made without cessation in that city, and that the Imperial troops are being massed thpro. The threatening attitude of the natives towards European residents has not in any way subsided. It has transpired that relations of an intimate character exist, between the Chinese, Government and tlie :; Black Flags, and that a secret treaty, the terms of which are not, however, known, has been cpncluded between the two uatirtEs. It is now considered that an outbreak of active hostilities between France and China is inevitable, and that an open declaration of war will not be dslayed for any length of time. The reports ■ to hand from Tonquin state that the

Chinese troops have already assumed the offensive, and that a force of three thousand attacked the French position at Haidznong (sic), but retired after seven hours fighting. Great anxiety and alarm at the serious aspect of affairs is felt by the Europeans in China.