New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-06
THE TONQUIN AFFAIR.
NEGOTIATIONS OF FRANCE AND CHINA.
RECENT CORREsPoNDENCE-A CHINESE ADMIRAL
REPORTS WAR TO BE IMMINENT.

RECENT CORRESPONDENCE-A CHINESE ADMIRAL
REPORTS WAR TO BE IMMINENT
PARIS, Dee. 5.-The Yellow Book upon the
Tonqun affair contains the Chinese memorandum which
Prime Minister Ferry November 2S, gave to the Ton
quin Credits Committee.
That memorandum states that France had imposed
upon Anam an unjust treaty, ignoring tho rights OF
China; that France had invaded Anam and mani
tested an intention to take BaeNnh, the key OF the CHI
nese Empire and that China, while feeling compelled to
resist aggression appealed to the honor of France so
act to prevent boodshed. also contains the note OF
NJ Ferry to the Marquis Tseng the Chinese Ambassador
suggesting that special power be entrusted to the mill
tay chiefs in TOnqun effect understanding by which
China could surrender BacNinh and Sontay peacefully
to Admiral Courbet and that subsequently deinitive
settlement could be negotiated
The Marquis Tseng in replying to the latter PROPOSE
on he regrets that France regards the occupation
OF sOntay and BacNnh indispensable. He falls to per
ceive the necessity OF 1t.
The Marquis Tseng also comments upon the statement
Of Prime Minister Ferry In the Chamber OF Deputies In
which that officer declared that the French Government
did not believe that China would declare war; nor had
France any intention Of doing so; that France was de-
srous OF firmly establishing herself In the Red River
Delta by gaining possession OF Sontay and Bac-Ninh;
that when that was achieved nobody would be able to
drive her OUT that with patience and her forces, she
would be proof against everything and that that pru
dent policy would lead U the settlement OF the Tonquin
affair. The Marquis observes that this statement pro-
duced painful impression in TODquln. If 1t became
question tho possession OF Tonqun further negotia-
tons would be useless it would be impossible for
China TO agTee thereon.
On November 80 NJ Ferry declared that the ideas OF
French Government had not changed during the last
three years. The French policy he said, was guided by
tho principles which formed the basis Of the treaty OF
1874. The Government desired the consolidation OF the
French procctorate the free navigation OF the
River and security for It's commercial relations IN ron
qun The Marquis Tseng having renewed proposal 10
fix tue line OF demarcatOn between the armies IN tue
cantcnmcnt at Hanoi at Sonay and on the banks OF the
Red River, NJ Ferry pointed out that the Marquis Iscng
declared August that there we're no Chnese t0OpSh
Tonquln whercupon NJ. Chalemel-LacOur, then French
Minister OF Foreign Affairs replied That there was cohse-
quently danger OF conflict IL Chinese forces ap-
preached the OrreSses against which the frencn were
advancing they would the risk or being considered
Anamite auxilaries. Since thcn added NJ. Ferry the
situation has remained unchanged by our acts Our pan
OF the campaign has not been modified and cannot DO
modified IL Is not with us that the responsibility loF
There have been active negotiations between the Mar
qus Tseng and NJ Ferry since the atteFs note Oh NOVe
Der 80.
wARLIKE REPORT IN CANTON.
HoSG KONG, Dec. 5.-Admiral Peng- -Yu-Iln whom the
Emperor OF China sent to TOnqun to investigate the
position Of affairs there has returned to Canton He has
Informed all foreigners that between China and
France Is imminent and has ordered the massng OF all
available land and forces for the protection or canton
holds France answcrable for precpitatDg
war and warns the neutral powers TO observe their
treaty sIpulaOns and the rules OF lnternauOnal laW
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 5.-The Journal declares that
nothing is known in st, Petersburg relative to Russia
participating with other powers In joint protection, IN
Chinese waters Of foreign persons and property Ill the
event Of q war between FraDce and China.