The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-18
The Chinese Making Extensive Pur.
chases of War Material.
Merrlment Created in England by the Amer
lean RumOrs of Vfctoria's Abdication
Other News by Gable.
FRANCE AND ToNoUlN.
If War Occurs, 1t VIII Have To Be Brought
About by France,

About by France.
New York Herald Interview with Marquis Tseng
Correspondent-May l ask your Excellen-
cy if war is imminent?
Marquis Tseng-That depends upon France
entirely. China is desirous of an amicable
settlement, and her conditions are fair and
equitable commercial advantages for the
world at large. Tonquin is the richest
province Of AMMAN. The French claim that
the possession of Tonquin is absolutely
necessary for the existence of the settlement
OF Saigon is something like saying that to
live in New Orleans it is necessary to occupy
New York
Correspondent-Then China has not de-
cided to oppose the French by force of arms?
Marquis Tseng-Even if China does not
oppose France by force of arms, and merely
protests, as she did before, a condition of
things will arise most inconvenient for
France. China always takes her own time to
attend to her own affairs. France would be
compelled to keep in Tonquin large force
of occupation, because she would not know
the precise moment when passive resistance
might become active. Supposing China were
not to go to war just now, merely for the
AMMAN, it is quite possible that China would
follow the example of Russia in Servia, and
allow her officers and soldiers to cross the
frontier as volunteers. The chronic state of
war that would be engendered would be more
detrimental to France and the commerce of
the world than sharp quick settlement at
arms
Correspondent-Wha would be the effect
on commerce in the event of war?
Marquis Tseng-France alone can bring on
war France would probably lombard and
blockade the treaty ports of China. This
would be matter which, in the sight of 9TH
er foreign nations might seem to be a small
matter for France, because her commerce is
insignificant in the East But to England
and the United States it would be serious,
and the European powers probably would
refuse a recognition of the blockaked treaty
ports, for distinction must be made in the
case OF country bound to go to war and the
case of one wantonly bound to stir up war.
France is doing the latter.
In response to my question as to the mill
tary and naval forces of China, the Marquis
was naturally reticient, but remarked:
'If in 1860 when the Chinese were only
armed with matchlocks. bows and arrows it
required $4,000 French and English 10 take
the Taku fort how many will it take now
that China is prepared with weapons of mod
ern invention and is not exhausted by inter
nal rebellion? Is France prepared for the
sacrifice? Ii it cost her 230, 600 000f. to estab-
lish a protectorate in Tunis. situated at her
very doors, what will it cost to annex Ton
quin, on the other side Of the world, and in
face of the force China and AMMAN could
bring upon her in favorable moment? 1t
took 10000 troops in Tunis, half of whom
are required there now NJ: Challemel-La-
cour's answer to the Chamber of DEPUTIES
that the Annamites were ready to welcome
the French soldiers with open arms to relieve
them from their Annamite masters, is grave
error. The French are hated To insure the
good treatment of European travellers in the
territory adjoining the French at Saigon, the
only passport necessary is one proving that
the bearer is not Frenchman."