Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-21
SONTAY SURROUNDED. ;
THE FRENCH PUSHING THEIR
OPERATIONS IN TONOUIN.

Aocduc Proclaimed King of AMMAN and
the Natives Greatly Excited - The
French Legation in Danger-Ansther
supplementary Credit Adopted-Six
Thousand More Troops to be Dis
patched.
PARIS, Dec. 20.-Le Figaro of to-day
says that it understands that MARQUIS
Tseng, the Chinese Ambassador, has pro-
posed to France the following as a fresh
basis of negotiations for the settlement of
the Tonquin question: The delta of Song
koi, Red river, together with the city of
Sontay, to belong to France; the delta of
Song kau river, with Bacninh, to belong
to China; the northern and western
provinces OF Tonquin to be neutral, and
emma to renOunce her suZerainty of the
kingdom of AMMAN.
The government has received unofficial
advlces confirming the report of the cap
ture OF the villages outside of SOntay.
Admiral Peyron, Minister of Marine,
has received the following telegram from
Admiral Courbet, dated before SOntay.
December IS: San ex )edition left Hanoi
on the 11th inst. and captured Fort Phusa
and all the earthworks erected on the
bank of the Songkoi Red river, opposite
SOntay. The assault was carried out bV
marine infantry and Algerian sharp
shooters. The fiOtilla rendered very eff
fcient assistance. The enemy were very
well armed and resisted desperately. The
condition and spirits of the French troops
are excellent. To-day we commence the
attack on Sontay."
ReiLforcements of $500 troops will be
sent to Tonquin in the next fortnight.
Inc government has no information from
Tonquin that Sontay has been occupied.
In The Senate to-day a supplementary
credit bill for 100000 francs for the Ton
quln expedition was discussed and was
adopted by vote of 211 yeas to nays.
Subsequently the Tonquin credit bill for
2O,OO0OOO francs was also adopted, the
vote being 215 to 6.
During the debate the Due de BrOglie
said that he would vote against the credit
because he thought the present an in
opportune moment to launch a war
against China. France, he said, is sur
rounded by monarchies hostile to the re-
publican form of government. 1t be-
hooves France to be prudent at home and
abroad. He implOred the Senate not to
leave door open for foreign interference.
Gen. CampenOn, Minister of War, replied
that France was strong enough to bring
TWO pOllcles-namely, colonial and cOnti-
nental-tO the front. The former must be
subordinated TO the latter, now that the
expedition to TCnquin accOrds with that
condition. He and mis- colleagues are in
perfect agreement. Admiral Jauregui-
berry insisted that either credit be voted
or that France abandon forever her infllI-
ence in her IndO-Chinese possessions. If
she should abandon TOnquin she would
surrender 100000 Christians,
lie Temps reports that at the weekly
reception Of the foreign Ministry to-day
Marquis Tseng and Prime Minister Ferry
had long and friendly conversation.
lie Temps asserts that the compromise
mentioned by lie Figaro as having been
proposed by the Marquis has not been i'm
parted to the French Government, and
lie Temps doubts whether such COM
promise has been mentioned.
SAIGON, Dec. 20.-According to advices
from Hue, dated December IA, Yocduc
has been proclaimed King of AMMAN.
The natives were greatly excited, and an
attack on the French Legation was feared.
The firm attitude of NJ. ChampeauX, the
French resident had alone prevented an
attack by the natives. A reinforcement
of $50 men have been sent to Hue from
Fort Thuanan. 1t is considered urgently
necessary to occupy Hue with a sufficient
force to withstand any attack that may
be made on the French. No resistance,
however, is expected on the part of the
natives.
LONDON, Dec. 2O.-A dispatch from
Hong Kong says that the fight at SOntay
occurred on the 18th inst. Two of the
outworks were captured and the citadel
was surrounded by the French forces.
HONG KONG, Dec. 20.-The French
forces have captured the principal out
posts of SOntay, embracing five strongly
fortified villages. The enemy made a
stubborn resistance. The French loss
was 200 men and 10 officers killed and
.I.2I
manded the expedition, had 1000 men, of
which 1000 were engaged in the action,
the balance being held in reserve. The
Chinese still hold the fortress of Sontay.