THE FRANCO-CHINESE DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1748, 29 July 1884, Page 2

THE FRANCO-CHINESE DISPUTE.

Hanoi despatches state that the Chinese regulars with artillery entrenched themselves at Langson in violation of the treaty, and attacked the Fiench forces on Monday, June 23, while they were on march, killing and wounding forty-four, Qeneral Meg: reilt immediately set out with reinforcements, General Milot telegraphs "the French numbered 700. We were on our way to Langson. Though greatly outnumbered, we routed the Chinese. Tho French lost two officers," After a Cabinet Council, on the the Goveanmest to General Milot to suspend the departure of the Iroops from Tonquin. Admiral Courbet's squadron has been ordered to join the naval division under Admiral Lispes, commander of the Irenoh squadron in Chinese waters, Admiral Courbet had a conference with Patfnotre, the French Ambassador, on the 26th, respecting measures for obtaining satisfaction from China far tho affair at Langson, Despatches dated the 26th, say that Courbett had : been instructed to demand a public apology from the Chinese Government, and in case of refusal to bombard'the Chinese cjties. It was reported, in Baris oil July 2nd that 500,000,000 francs is the demand on China as satisfaction for this breach of treaty, The Shanghai correspondent of th,e London Times telegraph, qn July 3rd that war is threatened betweon France and China, Li Fond Pao, the Chinese Minister will remain in Paris till the Langson difficulty is settled, M. Patonotre, the French. Minister to China, has instructed the Consul, Li Hung Chang, before conferring with tho Foreign Board, that France will waive the indemnity if China pledges Foamosa or Hanoi until France has gained full possession of the position in Tonquin which has been'conceded to her. If this is n : ot done France will immediately seize one or the other of these islands, In a conference with M. Ferry' Ti Long Poo disavowed any hostile intentions of China in the affiair at Langson, which he declared was entirely without Li Hung Qhaiig's knowledge.

Hongkong, July 5, The French allow the Langson garrison thre6 days to surrender without being attacked-' The officers ot the garrison,, in reply to a demand, said they had no orders to surrender. TJje French officers who. were taken prisoners are well treated.