The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-11
Operations of Chinese Nihil,sts.

| upon war with France
Operations of Chinese Nihiiists.
CANTON, Dec. 9-The past has been the
most anxious week for eighteen years. On
Monday General Pong arrived with portion
of body of 1000 fine soldiers from the
north who came to guard Canton while the
others take the field. This arrival was taken
advantage of by the secret societies who are
inimical to the Viceroy and to the legitimate
government, otherwise the Chinese Nihilists.
They at once began to issue bogus manifes-
| toes, purporting to come from General Pong,
saying that he came to enforce the imperial
edicts and evict all foreigners as
we'll as the viceroy, who sustained
them. These caused intense ex-
| citement, and emboldened the mob to
make the attack on the chapel. The Vice
roy's troops arrived almost imm mediately, be-
fore any material damage was done, and
drove the mob away. They now guard the
! building and at the same time the other
| chapels that were threatened, some of which
| have existed over forty years. Consul Sey-
mour, when appealed to by the American
| missionaries, notified the Viceroy, who at
| once sent note assuring them of his desire
aud s-5wer to protect them. The anxiety is
| allayed for the present. The Chinese gov
| ernment is believed to be desirous of pro-
| tecting foreign non-combatants. To-day |
saw 800 well-armed and disciplined troops
| land at Shameen and march through the
city to camp Three-fourths had Reming-
tons. The others carried flags and lances.
China's Navy Not Considered Formidable.
PARIS, Dec. 10-The Temps says meeting
of the Chinese imperial family and the min
istry occurred in October, and the ministers
declared it was imprudent for China to en-
gagein war with France in view of the con-
dition of the Chinese navy.
The Deputies Give Ferry Cold Shoulder
PARIS, Dec 10.-Debate was resumed upon
the Tonqun credit bill to-day Prime Minister
Ferry declared he was far from leading the
country into quarrels, but would inquire if
the colonial adventures and the colonial pol
icy of government was not entirely conserva-
tive. In going to Tunis he said the government
had in view solely the security OF Algeria,
and it went to Tonquin for the sake of
the security of the French in Cochin
China. Ferry said the Republican gov
ernment of France was not responsible
for the present expedition to Ton
quin. He stated that Admiral Monuaingnac,
Minister of Marine in 1875, pointed
French protectorate over AMMAN
Ferry declared ne wished to remain in power
only on condition that he possessed the con-
fidence of the chambers. The real obstacle
to the settlement of the question was the
frailty of cabinets, which were all in need of
time, without which nothing could be affect
ed, especially in foreign affairs. The govern
ment was far from entertaining any illusions
regarding the attitude of China in the Ton
quin matter. He believed China would go so
far as to resort to armed intervention. Rup-
ture between France and China had not vet
occurred but the cabinet had never ceased
to act as if rupture was possible. The gov
ernment had treated China as a great power
which course he did not regret The govern
ment had always held the opinion that means
of conciliation existed, and under this belief
had exhausted every com bination and system
of conciliation. France resumed negotiations
which had been interrupted, between De
Freycinet and the Marquis Tseng The Hue
treaty was withheld in consideration of the |
possibility of conciliation. France might
have broken off negotiations when China
proposed France should evacuate Tonquin |
but France desired to continue them. 1t
was impossible to accept the proposition of
China occupying the left bank of the Red |
river and the establishment of neutrual |
zone. Ferry referred to the action of China |
in declaring that if the French forces went |
in the direction of Sontay and Bacninh they
was for the Chamber to say whether it would |
leave Sontay to China, but that would be a |
singular way of avenging the death of Captain |
Riveri. France, he said was reproached with !
being provocative when she tried to pacify |
the barbarian countries and open them up |
to civilization. 1t was an impossibiity to |
reply better to the reproach than by citing
the memorandum on the basis which France |
is prepared to negotiate.
Ferry read the memorandum published in |
the Yellow Book. 1t was impossible, he con- |
tinued, to order the French troops to sus.
pend their march on Sontay and Bacninh |
III the Chamber" he said, believes in an
other course to pursue to maintain the
honor of France and the safety of Cochin
China, let it say so distinctly. Diplomacy
having ended, military action will remain |
within the limits undecided. 1t |
is necessary for France to be
strong in the delta to negotiate successfully |
The present force in Tonqnin will not be in
creased until Admiral Courbet has re-
quested it,"
Ferry asked the House to give vote of
confidence in the interests Of the army and