The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-01
THE GOVERNMENT SUSTAINED.
The Result of the Debate Frances Ton
quin Policy.


The Result of the Debate Frances Tom
quin Policy.
PARIS Oct. 31.-In the Chamber of Depu-
ties to-day Clemenceau, a Radical, resumed
the debate upon the Interpolation of the
governments Tonquin policy. He said that
the opponents of the Tonquin expedition
renounced the opposition thereto after the
death of Captain Riviere He charged the
government with publishing incomplete
documents, and severely criticised the gov
ernment for stating that in July last the
French force at Tonquin was sufficient for
all exigencies when the contrary was now
admitted. He said at first the question was
the establishment of protectorate over Ton
quin; now it was the question of aprotector-
ate over AMMAN. The French forces and
finances at Hue, he said, had been commit
ted to operations without consultation by
the government with the Chambers.
PREMIER FERRY's RESPONSE.
Premier Ferry, in reply to M. Clemenceau,
admitted that the interests of the cabinet
were secondary matter compared with the
interests of the country. The government
he declared, had not failed in their engage
ments. They had carried the practice of
moderation and prudence to its furthest
limits. There existed no grounds of COM
parison between the Tonquin and
Tunisian questions The day was not
far distant when statesmen would cease to be
violently condemned for increasing their
country's dominions on the Mediterranean.
The Tonquin question was not a personal af-
fair France, as the second maritime power
E 1. i Il i 49, l.
and it was the duty of the government to
prepare fresh ground for the activity of fu-
ture generations, All working nations
were marking out for themselves a part of
the unexpiored regions of the world, and why
should not France draw near to China, which
contains four hundred million consumers?
Regarding military matters in Tonquin the
Premier said the operations had been con-
tinued within the limits indicated by the
government, and not even the Red river
delta had been completely occupied. The
capture of Hue had been brought about
by the death of King Tudic, when an un-
looked-for opportunity presented itself and
had to be seized. If the government had
waited to summon the Chambers, precious
moments would have been lost The
treaty of 1874 gave France a right to pro-
tectorate over AMMAN and Tonquin. This
treaty made no distinction between AMMAN
and Tonquin. The treaty of Hue did not
conditions of the protectorate. The govern
ment had assumed responsibility for dis
patching reinforcements to Tonquin because
the assembling of the Chambers before the
usual time would be productive of much
difficulty in the negotiations with
China. The government had carried the
exercise of patience and moderation
as far as possible. The Bouree treaty. which
had never been ratified by China, partook
merely of the character of rough draft sub
mitted for the approval of France. No
agreement had been reached concerning the
disputed territory. NJ. Bouree had shown
more good will than clearsghtedness in the
negotiation. The government had deceived
nobody; they never conceded China's claim
to suzerainty over AMMAN. There was
no rupture of diplomatic relations
between China and France. Continuing, NJ.
Ferry said: "We have no ambassador to
China, but we have an agent We have just
received dispatch in which NJ. Tricon an
nounces that Ii Hung Chang insists upon
his remaining in China. Ii Hung Chang
emphatcally disayows the views of Marquis
Tseng. Chinese affairs are not like those of
Europe. China protests without break
ing diplomatic relations. For exam
pie, she protested annually for 400
years against the occupation of Macao by
the Portuguese China has no interest in
anticipating events, and only recognizes
them when they are accomplished. She will
be more conciliatory when we have captured
Sontay and Bacninh. The Chinese states
men formally repudiate all connection with
the Black Flags. The French government
do not believe China will declare war, nor
have we any intention of doing so. We
are desirous of firmly establishing
ourselves in the Red river delta by gaining
possession OF Sontay and Bacninh. When
that object is achieved nobody will be able
to drive us out. With patience sang froid
and our forces we shall be proof against
everything. This prudent policy will lead to
settlement of the Tonquin affair. Our
African empire, for long years the subject OF
constant discussion, is to-day one of the glo-
res of France The best means to avoid war
is to show that we have no fear"
NJ. Clemenceau arose and spoke a second
time. He repeated his former argument.
The cost of the expedition, he maintained
was being paid by all sorts of makeshifts.
China was waging unofficial war The
capture OF Hue was an act of theft; the re-
public should be- a government OF honest
men. France had been lowered in the eyes
of Europe, and the government no longer
merited confidence. They were pursuing a
policy tending to the effacement of France
from Europe.
General Camperon, Minister of War. re-
Piled saying the government restricted their
colonial enterprise within limits. "When-
ever" said he, 'the Standard of France is
| plan ted in any part of the world it must be
sustained and respected whatever happens"
After few further remarks by NJ Glenn
enceau, motion was made to appoint
committee of twenty-five to inquire into the
situation in Tohquin. The motion was re-
jected.
The order of the day, pure and simple, was
negatived, the government opposing it.
Then followed vote of confidence in the
ministry, after which the Chamber adjourned
until Monday.
T. =. tl,a CT
rial statements regarding the Tonquin nego-