The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-24
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.
The French Operations fn AMMAN
An Unsuccessful Movement.

right column then advanced along the
riycr-bank, supported by five gunboats.
After going live miles the enemy were
found en.renchod. The g'nboa's fired
among them, and the entertainments were
carried. The troops then advanced 10
carry the fortified village with the bayonet,
hui the defence was so vigorous that they
wcrc thrice repulsed. Toward evening
the French, finding their attempts irult.
less, decided to renew the attack next
morning. The centre column met
with faint resistance and occupied
Hanoi. There they awaited the turn
ing movement to be enected Oy
the left column. The latter advanced
along the road which the late Captain
Riyierc took. -Four hundred Chinese ac-
compauied the column, which reached
Yong and there found the road barred by
strong entertainments. The artillery then
fred into the works. The column adj
yanced with difficulty, owing to the floods.
The horses were unused to harness and
refused to drag the guns, and the men took
their places I'm dragging up the artillery
When within 300 yards OF the enemy's en-
trenchments the French opened fire. Fol
a time there was no return made by thu
enemy, but after some delay they opened
with tremendous fusilade, which resulted
In checking the advance column. 1t was
now manifest that the position could not
be carried by direct attack, and flank
movement was impossible, so the French
column retrea.ed. The enemy, shouting in
triumph, issued from their entertainments
and began pursuit OF the French. They
pressed around both TANKS OF the retreating
column. The French then opened out
with artillery. firing shell into the ranks OF
the pursuing forces. but the enemy con-
tinued 10 follow their retreat. The French
preserved excellent order, and carried
everything of the field. including their
Killed and wounded. AT O'Clock in the
evening the enemy suddenly drew off. The
French column reached Hanoi at : O'Clock
in the evening completely exhausted.
Their centre column also returned TO
Hanoi. The right column occupied po-
sltion which the enemy evacuated during
The night. The French loss is 2 officers
and 10 men killed and 81 seriously
wounded. Thirty Chinese allies were
killed. The entire Red-Riyer Delta is
flooded. Many villages have been de-
stroyed and thousands Of lives lost The
French plan was to strike simultaneously
at Sontay and Baeninh and Haidnong. So
far only the latter place has been taken.
THE FRENCH DIsHEARTENED-A FORCE OF
10000 MEN NECESSARY.
LONDON, August 23.-The TGmeS'S CORE
spondent at Hong Kong, referring to the
movement Of the French In TonIuin, OF
which reports were received last night,
saws the enemy was mainly composed Of
Chinese armed with Remington rifles.
General Bouet commanded the left column
OF the French troops. II is believed that
the enemy's loss was small. The French
doctors complain Of the want Of medicines
and stores. The operations OF the French
have been stopped for the present. the
number of troops being insufficient to at
tack Sontay and Bacninh, which arc the
strongest positions in the Delta. The re-
pulse Of the French has disheartened them
and encouraged the enemy. Four thou
sand native Christians are being armed.
The Standards correspondent at Hanoi,
In his report OF the movement OF the
French, adds: " 1t is generally admitted
that the French will require force Of
10000 men TO be able to cope with the en-
envy successfully. The number Of gun
boats is also inadequate. The 500 coolies
who accompany the French column as
carriers fed at the first shot. Ii is stated
that the enemy has entertainments, one be-
hind the other. over the whole twenty-five
miles between Hanoi and Sontay, but it is
thought that the floods have destroyed
many of them. The black flags have been
strongly reinforced from Yunnan. No An
names participated in the fighting"
The Tunes says the capture Of Haidicong
Is OF some importance, rs it gives the
French complete command OF the Songschi
canal, which is the most convenient ap-
proach TO Hanoi.
The English Thundercr OH the Ger
man COIumbiad.
LONDON, August 23.-Tho Times, COM
men;ing on the Berlin North German Ga
zeite's article referring TO The attacks OF
French journals on Germany, and de-
claring that France alone threatens the
peace Of Europe, says the irritation shown
by the latter paper cannot be explained
by the reason assigned. as the French
press, upon the whole, has been very mod
crate in regard to Germany. The article
is rather am expression OF general impa-
tience at the conduct Of the French, and
ought TO convince them that their eX-
Itulitolls III Bdtbo va Ah' WIN
do not add i'm the smallest degree
to their influence in Europe. The arti-
Gle Of the North German Gazette startled
Paris, alarmed Europe, and caused prices
on the Bourses OF Paris, Vienna, and Ber-
lin to fall. The press everywhere express
great surprise nj the Gdzeite's attack on
France, and wonder rs to what its object
is. The French papers repel the charges
contained IN tho orfipla an1 intimate 4 hot
the French are better prepared now to say
that Prince Bismarck is seeking preteXt
for quarrel, or for the imposition OF fresh
army burdens. The Austrian press asks II
the article means war. The English Jour-
mails think that the warning was overdone,
and that the cause for ii was insufficient. II
would not he wise, they say, to attach toe
much significance to the article.
Porto Rico Adviccs-A Noted Bandit
Killed.
HAVANA, August 2l.--The Boietin Com,
merciQ! OF Porto Rico, August 18th, says
The storm which prevailed in this island
on the 18th instant caused much damage,
but tue inhabitants Of the capital fortu-
na;ely escaped with slight losses compared
with those suffered in other cities. In
Mayaguez the rain fell for five hours. The
river rose and inundated some parts of the
city, causing great damage TO houses, the
marine building suffering to the greatest
extent. Many persons had to make theil
escape by swimming. One life was lost
In other parts Of the island the ravageS OF
the storm were great.
The Cuban bandit Audres Hernandes,
who assassinated Quinone's family at Al
german. and who escaped from the prison
OF San Antonio Delos Banos, was recently
captured by a volunteer at Artemisa and
taken to Las Camasi. Next morning,
while being transported TO Artemesa, lac
tiled TO escape and was shot and killed.
Excitement in ..Canton-Th Threatened
slaughter Of the Europeans.
LONDON, August 23.-A special dispatch
from Hong Kong says the European tide
aitcr NJ E.nt.., In altaEcati1.,.