New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-24
TONOUIN NEGOTIATIONS.
EFFORTS OF FRANCE AND CHINA TO AGREE.
A SUMMARY OF THE YELLOW BooK-FRENCH
FORCES IN TONQUIN.

PANS Oct 23-The Yellow Book has been is
spcd II recounts tho operations of the French
forces in TOnQuin, and says that their position In
that country has materially improved. They now
can move freely to all parts of the Red River Delta,
and hold all the strategic points in that territory.
The mapdarns who still resist the French authority
will be removed by envo US of the King of Anam,
and the people are regaining confidence. The
Anamte troops have been iii sbanded and the Black
Flags have retreated from their positions. The
French army only awaits achievements to
complete the pacficatiOn of the country. The book
also gives at length the details of the negotiations
with China, which have been conducted it says in
good temper on both sides, France firmly demand
ing the uon-interference Of China in Tonquin affairs
and the withdrawal of her troops from the country,
and China indicating her willingness to come to
some arran cement but declining to accede to the
demands of France.
A FRENCH PROPOSAL REJECTED.
The Yellow Book also states that III Hung Chang,
Prime Minister of China, assured NJ. Tricou, the
French Commissioner before July last that no
Chinese troops had crossed the Tonqun frontier;
that China had no intention of interfering with
Tonouin and would not thwart the French protect
crate over that country, while it reserved the ques
ton of suzerainty. The Marquis Tseng, the Chinese
Ambassador repudated the idea of China assisting
Franco in Tonquin gave ground for rupture of
the relations between the two. countries. China
only insisted that NJ. Challemcl-Lacour, French
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, should inform him of
| any arrangement that could be concluded in the
| Tonouin question. M. LacOur then proposed basis
| of an arrangement with China which was sent 70
| Lii Hung Chang, who replied by declaring that he
had not sufficient powers to conclude negotiations,
and that China could not recognize the French
| treaty of 1874 with Anam.
The Chinese preparations for war were then Os-
tensibly resumed. The negotiations were continued
| but were abruptly broken OFF on July by the de
| parture from Shanghai of LII Hung Chang. In
| August the negotiations were again resumed. NJ
| Challeme-La assured the Marquis Tseng that
France had no dreams Of conquest III Anam, but
contended that the French must suppress the Black
Flags. The Marquis declared that the Black Flags
belonged to the army of the King of Anam and sug-
gested that an armistce be effected To enable the
! Chinese Government to take into consideration
what other means than force could be adopted Tor
| dispensing the Black Flags.
NJ Challemel- Lacour in behalf of France, rejected
this suggestion as il was impossible to suspend the
| operations then undertaken. TO vindicate the
| French honor he avowed that it was necessary
| condition before any arrangement could be con
cluded that China should expressly declare her re-
qun not to send any troops TO that country ana 10
| recall those that were already there The MARQUIS
Tseng thereupOn replied That TINS dcIhi'hd shoulu
/ be officially made iii emma
TIE DANGERS or A CONFLICT.
| The French Minister of Foreign Affairs rejoned
that such step could not be taken before knowing
| how it was likely to be received. refusal wonld
| compel France TO insist upon and even to demand
compliance with her proposition The Marquis
Tseng appeared to desire to enter into more serious
negotiations bat reply from Pekin communicated
by the Marquis on August lSl again stopped nego-
| tIations This reply simply announced that an III
ouiry would be made into the alleged presence OF
Chinese forces in Tonquin that such inquiry, how
| ever. might occupy long time, ana lhai i1e
! Chinese Government would subsequently, .drcldc
| whether there was good ground Tor IecaiiIhg ihc
troops or whether il would leave them IN their then
| present positions. Nj. LacouT observed that the
presence of the Chinese troops IN onQun, Whatever
| might be the motive. encouraged and assisted inc
| enemies of France and he begged NJ TSeng TO call
the serious attention Of the government OF emma 10
the consequences and to the danger that would re-
suit from conflict between France and CHINA.
On August IS the Government of China submitted
| proposals involving the evacuation OF Ionqun 10y
the French troops. the maintenance OF the suLcI-
| anty of China over the territory, and the oprlllhg
| of certain towns to the benefits OF trade. These
proposals were rejected. counter proposal was
submitted by France on September - Tor neutral
| zone between China and TOmqun. This proposition
was declined By China on October is, that Govern
mcnt declaring that She would accept a neutral
zone only the southern instead al upon the
northern frontier of TOnqUin; while, 1t was stated.
| she was also willing 10 make arrangements for the
| openug of the Red River Delta 10 trade.
The Yellow Book concludes az follows: Tins
| China demands the whole of Northern Anam aud
the French evacuation thereof, allowing us only the
southern provinces There i, no doubt that the ar
rival of the reinforcement expedition VIII promptly
| terminate the work 40 gallantly begun m Ionquin.
France is still ready t. negotiate with China in
friendly spirit and hopes that accomplished facts
NAV induce her 10 take more just view OF the
| matter especially when she tho modIatc but
sill rc,uluto police of the French Government sup
| unrt ed by the Chambers and the country