Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-30
FRANCE TONQUIN.
The Chinese Memorandum and the
French Reply,

PARIS, Nov. 2S.-In the chamber of depu-
ties to-day Clemencoau on behalf OF the ex-
IRENE left, requested Ferry to furnish an ex-
PLANTATION concerning the Chinese memoran-
dun relative to the proposed attack on BAG
Mimi. Ferry declined. Clemenceau will re-
peat the question tomorrow. He threatens
TO bring the matter forward in the shape Of
an Interpolation. 1t is stated Ferry has re-
quested The committee upon Tonquin credits
to postpone the presentation Of their report
to the chamber for three days.
NJ. Ferry, prime minister and minister Of
foreign affairs, Gen. Canlpenon, minister of
war, and Admiral Peyron, minister OF
marine, attended Il meeting today OF the
committee of the chamber OF der uiies upon
Ionquin credits. NJ. Ferry impaired to the
committee the contents Of the Chinese mem
orandum. The committee unanimously ap-
proved the Frerc -eply thereto and decided
that it would be unnecessary to bring the
matter before the chamber Of deputies prior
to the debate upon Tonquin credits, because
firstly there existed no diplomatic rupture
and secondly the government had promised
tina. the yellow book should contain the mem
orandum and reply. The Chinese memo
randum stated that France had imposed
upon the government Of AMMAN nm unjust
treaty and had ignored the rights Of China.
France had invaded Aunam and manifested
m intention to take BAG Mini, the key to the
Chinese empire. China desired nevertheless
TO maintain pacific relations with France
but Chinese troops would he compelled to
resist any aggrt ssions. TO avert bloodslcd
China appealed to the traditions OF honor and
loyalty cherished by France and expressed
the regret it would feel if events forced
China to make her rights respected. The
French reply declared that France had no
wish TO annex AMMAN or Tonquin; that
was to define the terms Of the treaty of
1874 that in order to consolidate the pro-
tcctoratc Of Joaquin France considered ii
expodicnt to occupy BAG Mini and Sontay,
but there was nothing to prevent an equitable
arrangement OF the question on these bases,
| from which France had never swerved and
| which were indicated In the treaty of 1874.
Ferry explained 10 the committee that he
had addressed q note to Marquis Tseng max
| ing the suggestion that special powers should
be Entrusted to the military chiefs for the
purpose of edecilng an understanding by
which China should surrender BAG Mini and
Sontay peacefully 10 Admiral Courbet
and That deiintive settlement could
| be negotiated alterUari. Tseng declined
the proposal but Ferry believes The amhassa
dor acted in the matter without awaiting
Instructions from Pekin. Gen. CampenoI
state that measures have been takci
to despatch COCO troops forthwith to Ton
gun. II is believed the committee will rec
ommend To the CHAMBER of deputies tina
the grant Of 5000, 600 francs demanded b.
voted. The government will await furthe
news from Admiral Gourmet before askini
for funds for the campaign. The commilie
elected Leon ltcnault reporter
CmRnBowRG, Nov. 2s,-Thc gunboa
Fairly has been ordered ~ Tonquin.