The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-07
An Interview with the viceroy of Southern
China-The London Times on the Proba-
BILE Effect on Other Nations.
dwelling of Statue of Lafayette at
Lepuy, France.
An Address by Minister Morton Cruelty to
the Crew of the Steamer Lancaster,
and Wholesale Desertion.
FRANCE AGAINST CHINA.
Different Opinions in China Concerning the
Result of War.

Different Opinions in China Concerning the
Result of War.
LONDON, Sept. GA private letter from
Pekin says: Ii Hung Chang is really in favor
of peaceable solution of the difficulty with
France while the intrguers who surround
the court are urgent in their cry for war.
Prince Kung, one of the conservative mem-
bers of the government, expresses the opin-
ion that war will be the signal tor a number
of outbreaks in the empire. The Empress is
reported to be even fearful for the perma-
nence OF the dynasty, and inclined to favor
such measures as shall secure peace.
The Standards Hong Kong special says
The people of China seem to have little fear
of the result of war with France, and be-
lieve that, with new armament and
the vastly improved discipline of their
forces, the nation is far better able to
cope with foreign enemy than it was in
the war of 1860. A Chinese paper urges that
immediate action be taken to prevent the
annexation by the French of any portion of
the Chinese territory and expresses indigna.
ton that such an attempt should have been
made at time China was at peace with
France. A large number of Chinese en-
ployed on board of French vessels have de-
serted, and the captains find great difficulty
in obtaining hands.
4 Times Hong Kong dispatch states that
advices are received from Haiphong, an
nouncing that the French admiral will
blockade the ports of Canton and Pakoi
unless the Chinese troops are withdrawn
from the Tonquin frontier. 1t is stated that
Chinese merchants are leaving Canton be-
cause their letters are opened and they dis
trust the Canton mandarins.
Troops continue to arrive from the north.
They are drilled in the European fashion
and armed with modern weapons Large
amounts of bullion are reported to be on
their way to Canton. 1t is supposed that
these are government remittances for the
expenses of the war. The feeling of anxiety
is on the increase here as a war between
France and China will infict a heavy blow
upon the prosperity of the colony and put an
entire stop to trade. Chinese merchants re-
gard war as imminent. They, and indeed the
Chinese generally seem to have little fear OF
the result They believe that, with the new
armaments and vastly-im proved discipline
of their army, they are far better able to
cope with foreigners than in the war of 1860.
TO-day's Chinese paper, published here, con-
tains an extremely warlike article, urging
that immediate action should be taken to
put stop to the exorbitant preteusions of
France to annex portion of Chinese terri
tory when in a state OF peace with the en-
pire.
From Tonquin ! hear that the blockade of
Haiphong is enforced against foreign vessels,
only ships sailing under the French flag be-
ing exempt from its operation. The Chinese
employed on French vessels are deserting in
large numbers. and the masters are expert
encing great difficulty in obtaining hands.