New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-23
THE FRENCH ASSAULT on SONTAY.
THE CITADEL BURNED TO A SHELL.
EFFECT or THE ATTACK OK THE DIPLOMATIC NJ
GOTIATGONs.

EFFECT or THE ATTACH on THE DIPLOMATIC NJ
GoTIATTONs.
LONDON Dec. 22.-Ihe success of the French
troops at Sontay leaves uhaltcicd the position "f
the negot ations between Marquis Tsong the Chit
nesc Ambassador and NJ. Ferry. the French For
eign Minister. Marquis Tseng is awaiting res
ponse TO a communication sent TO Pekn oD the SON
tay incident, but he freely communicates his opinion
that the news OF the capture Of that place cannot
lead tn a declaration of war between China and
France nor even to n rupture of diplomatic rela-
tions The Government at Pekin. hc points out, has
always maintained a clear distinction between the
capture of S0ntay and an attack on Bac-Ninh.
Dispatches received to-day from Hong Kong dis
credit the reports that Chinese regular troops were
at Sontay. The forces engaged in the defence Of
that place comprised 5000 Black Flags and 5000
Anamcsc These were under the command Of
Uoang VIcm an Anamese Prince. The fire from the
French gunboats easily reached the inner dcfcnces
of the citadel. and the shells set fire to the
pagodas and sorchouscs inside the citadel, driving
ont the garrison. After the capture Of the encelnte
the defence ceased. The cOnGagration left the in
terror of the citadel mere shell. The next move
ment 20 be made by Admiral Courbet will be against
Hoang-IIoa, where the forces which defended Som
tay are rcasscmbling.
The report that Sir Charles Dixie has gone to
Paris TO offer the mediation OF England in the
Franco-C Clnncsc differences is not true The over
lures for English mediation continue in suspense.
The Austrian Government has sent two war vessels
to ioin English, American and German squadrons
for the protection of European interests in hina.
Admiral Dowcll, tho commander of tho British
squadron will make Canton the central station of
the international squadron The English ieet al
Canton includes the Audacions the flagship, and
the AlbatrOss, Cleopatra, Fly, Vigilant FOXhOund,
Zephyr Pegasus Cockchaler, Daring, Swift and
Espoir The German squadron is commanded by
Admiral GOltz. Ii is composed of the StOsch, Lep-
zig Uyena, Ills, Nautilus aud Albatross. The
combined squadIOns present the most powerful
naval force ever seen in Chinese waters.
The Paris correspondent of The Ost says that the
Government Of France ~ not disposed to negotiate
any further with China before the occupation OF
Bac-Ninh by French troops. .
PARIS, Dee 22.-rhe GdntOts states that sir
Charles Dixie, president of the British Local Gov
ernmcnt Board, is about TO visit the Continent to
moot the question of mediation of the Powers OF
Eurpce between France and China.
Tile evening papers here state that an interview
will take place hetwcen Earl Granville. NJ. Wad-
dngton and the Marquis Tseng next week.
MARQUIS TsENG's TREATY WITH ENGLAND
COLOGNE Dec. 22.-'The Gdsettes Paris cores
pondent says During his recent visit to England
the Marquis Tseng concluded a secret treaty with
England, the conditions of which are as follows:
First-England engages after the taking Of Sontay
to offer medietlOn with France. Sccond-China
declares that the furthcst concession she
will make is the division of ronquin and the re IN
quishncnt of her suzeregnty III Anam Bac-Nlnh
Inust remain Chinese. ThiId-Engaud engages 10
mediate on the basis of the above conditions.
Fourth-If by the .ucdiatiOns of England treaty
in accor aucc with the desires of China is effected.
of the treaty to cede the Island of Hanan to Eng
land,