New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-31
PREPARING TO FIGHT.
THE FRENCH POLICY IN ToNoUIN.
TIE GOVERNMENT NTERpELLATED - REPLY OF
NJ. CHALLEMEL-LAC0UR,

PARIS, Oct. 30.-In the Chamber Of Deputies to-
day, NJ Granet, member of the Extreme Left, in
terpellated the Government upon its policy in Ton
quin, and requested explanation of the objects
sought to be obtained and the Of conducting
the expedition in that country. Nj. Granet pointed
out what were apparent contradictions existing
in the information which had been furnished by
tho Government, and said that, contrary to the
official declarations, difficulties had been raised by
China. He reprOached the Government with con-
cealing facts and distrusting the patriotism of the
Chambers. Reverting to the Boaree treaty, he said
that China has threatened resistance, and there was
danger of war. The errors Of the Government had
compromised the country The present moment, he
declared, was n critical one and France should turn
her eyes toward the passages Of the YOsges.
NJ Challemel-LacOur, in reply, repudiated the
idea of the Tonquin expedition being an adventure
The French were, no said, encountering moro for
mdable opposition than was expected but the diff
culties were far from insumountablo. China had
avaied herself of the blockade of the coast Of Anam
to claim her suzerainty, and home opposition had
used it as
At this point the speaker was interrupted by NM.
Papon, Clemenccau and Douyille, who protested
against the remarks.
Resuming, VI. Challcmcl-T acour said that the Gov
ernmcnt had no intention of advancing upon Hue,
but it became necessary to strike aresoundng blow.
The speaker justified the occupation of Hue and the
forts, which had resulted in the treaty and the
clearingup of the situation. He said that the Gov
crnmcnt had failed in none Of its engagements,
nor was thcro any contradiction between its
acts. No important oycnt had occurred which made
necessary the carly couyokng Of Parliament. The
French wcrc masters Of threc-fourths of the Red
River Delta, and the enemy occupied only two inn
MIA. rtHItt. ln T.I "a lflT \
vnuld dsl0dgc them. All the documents necessary
had been published, and those not published in he
Yellow Book only showed tic nconsistcncc3 OF the
Chinese policy. II was clear that China never really
sought scTIuHS compromise but simply wanted 10
gain time while France had sincerely ondeavOrcd to
arrive az an agreement without accepting humIli-
atiug captulntion.
NJ. Challcmcl-Lacour said that China had never
recognized the BourCe treaty, and that no under
standing between France aud China hhd Deen
effected thereon. II was evident that Chlna sought
10 cVpcl the French from TOnqun. The Chinese
had M length decided To formulate propositions de-
mauding recognition Of their suzeTainty and the
evacuation of thc places occupied by the French,
but did not attempt To discuss tine rights conferred
ou France by her treaties with Anam. IheY
simply Ignored iho.r rphts ana drelIrrH lonP.tdn tn
to he their property, and demanded that the
French should retire, promising 10 conccde To
France position similar a. that which she now oc-
cupiCs IN certain parts of China,
France sent q reply stating what she considered
possible bases of an agreement. The Cabinet, he
said, still considered the Bour6c treaty inadmissi-
Touquin and China would create a situation adyan-
tagsous to France 70 sum ny, China demanded
rcgcr-iou 10 the state of things which existed prior
to 1873 France must prosecute firmly and rapidly
the work already far advanced. "Ihcncgqtiations
with China" hc added have been only inter
rIptcd. Let events speak for Themselves
Perhaps tho time will come when China
will be happy TO find us still ready to
examine arrangements compatible with French
interests aud honor. France has never departed
from the path of Guncss aud moderation. Tho
force of circumstance has rendered her the repre-
sentative uf the interest, Of all Europe in the East
NJ Chalcmcl-Lacour concluded by declaring that
the Chamber had 10 express confidence, not IN the
Government. but u itself for the policy OF the
Cabinet has been approved by the LcU.Iature
IONuuv, oct. 3O.-A despatch from Paris 80 the
Exchange Telegraph Company states that the
French Government, in view of the Warllke attl-
tudc of China will ask the Chambers for much
Larger credit for the expenses of the expedition in
Tuuuuin than was originally intended. Even
should China only remain on the defensive, lnrgcr
rruforccmcuts of troop, viii be required IN Ton
qgin. The Government docs not rypcct d, feat in
tAc Chamber on it- Tonqun policy.