The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-27
The Tonquin Troubles.

The two last mails from China have
brought tldngs that Ill YANo TsA1 Is sweep
ing all before him in Tonquin, gathering
volunteers to his flag by his personal mag
netism, and defeating the imperial forces
sent against him.
This formidable revolt threatens all the
southern provinces OF China; and it is re-
markable that LII YANG TsAI, military
stan officer OF the province OF Kwang-si, and
member OF the royal family Of AMMAN,
distinguished himself in suppressing the
TAPPING rebellion. His grievance Is a per-
sonal one arising out OF i'll treatment by
the Governor OF Kwang-sl and other civil or
military officers.
In October last Ii, gathering to his pro-
ject number OF soldiers whose pay was in
arrears, or who had other grievances, and
making an alliance with a chronic insur-
gent leader in AMMAN, notified the Viceroy
OF Canton that he was going to lead hum
dred thousand soldiers and many half
starved families on an expedition to seize
the Government OF AMMAN, so SECURING
my hereditary right and recovering what
my ancestors lost" The French undertake
q species OF protectorate over AMMAN; but
explain himself to China, OF which AMMAN
is n tributary. His excuse TO the Vceroy Of
Canton was that AMMAN was usually In dis
order, and standing menace TO China; but
when no should have "come 10 his own"
he would relieve China from her border
| guard would succor the distressed people.
would pay the tribute regularly, and would
acknowledge the supremacy Of the IA Using
empire and call troubles will be swept
away, and both China and AMMAN will en-
| Joy the greatest happiness"
Having sent off this rose-colored epistle,
he proceeded to capture forthwith the Chi
nese city OF Tai-ping-foo, which Is two
score miles away from the Tonquln frontier.
and, like Chinese JACK CADE, Immediately
freed the people from all taxes. The alarmed
Viceroy sent force OF 5000 men, under four
mandarins, against him; but three out of
| four OF the mandarins, and three out OF four
OF the men, joined his cause, and he made
short work Of the rest. Ii then captured
all the Chinese towns on his path TO Ton
quIn. which Is province Of AMMAN, oecu.
pied the two frontier divisions of Tonquin
besides the southwest districts Of Kwang 81
and marched in triumph toward Yunnan
|
Meanwhile, early in December, n feet o.
junks, transporting troops, and guarded by
three gunboats, sailed from Canton. Pre-
sumably they reached their destination
but thus far this expedition seems TO hav,
accomplished no good, as Ii keeps mainly II
the mountainous districts. The Chinese say
that he got his arms from foreigners IL
Shanghai. and has foreign officers.
Coupled with this rebellion is another
namely, the rising Of the IIakkas in thu
island Of Hainan. These Hakkas are de
scendants OF settlers who came centuries
ago from northern and central China, anC
have never amalgamated well with tn
southern Chinese, but have kept their iden
tity, traditions, and preiudices. The com
plants OF the part of them who settled OF
the Government lands in Hainan, fey
years ago, have, during the past six months
resulted in actual instruction. But, In tn
nature Of the case, this crcumscribcd revol
will soon DO stamped out. 1t is the othe
rising that threatens serious consequences