Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-31
FRANCE AND TONoBIN.
NJ. LACoUR DEFENDS THE Poll
ICY OF THE GOVETsNMENT.

China's Aim to Expe1 the French from
TOnquin UncOnditi0nalIy The Rights
Conferred by the Armand Treaty Ig-
nored-The Expedition Ne9 an AfEven-
ture and Its APPROVAL UnaNpldabIe
PARIS, Oct. 30.-The ChiH Sc Legation
scout the idea that the arrival Of French
reinforcements in Tonquin win end all
resistance to the demands Of France. In
the Chamber of Deputies to-day M. Gra-
not, member of the Extreme Left, inter.
pellated the government upon it's policy
in Tonquin, and requested an explana-
tiOn of the objects sought to be obtained
and the means of conducting the expedi-
tion in that country. NJ. Granot pointed
out what were apparent contradictions
existing in the information which had
been furnished by the government, and
SAID that, contrary to the official declara-
tions, difficulties had been raised by
China.
NJ. Granot reproached theaos0Eers laent
with cOncealing facts and trv .sfng the
patriotism Of the Cham Bers. IL ferting %
the Bouree treaty, he said that China has
threatened resistance, and there was
danger of war. The errors of the govern
ment had compromised the country. The
present moment was critical one, and
France should turn her eyes toward the
passage of the Vosges.
Challemel-LacOur, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, in replying to the remarks of NJ.
Granot, repudiated the idea of the Ton
quin expedition being an adven-
ture. The French were, he
said, encOuntering more formidable
opposition than had been expected, but
the difficulties were far from insur-
mOuntable. China had aVailed herself of
the blockade Of the coast of AMMAN to
claim her suzerainty and home opposition
had used it. At this point the speaker
was interrupted by NM. Papon, Clemen-
ceau and Douville, who protested against
the remarks. Resuming, Challemel
Lacour said that the government had no
intention of advancing upon Hue, but it
became necessary to strike a re-
sounding blow. The speaker justified
the occupation of Hue and the forts
which had resulted in the treaty
and the clearing up OF the situation.
The Chamber then took recess. Upon
the resumption Of the sitting Challemel
LacOur continued his reply. He said that
the government had failed in none of their
engagements nor was there any contra
dictiOn between their acts. In word no
important event had occurred necessitat-
ing the early cOnVOking of Parliament.
The French were masters of three-fourths
of the Red river delta, and the enemy
occupied but two important places from
which reinforcements would dislodge
them. All the documents necessary had
been published and those not
only showed the inconsistencies
China never really sought a serious COM
promise, but simply wanted to gain time,
while France has sincerely endeaVored to
arrive at an agreement without accepting
humiliating capitulation. M. Lacour
said that China had never recognized the
Bouree treaty, and that no understanding
between France and China had been ef-
fected thereon. 1t was evident that China
sought to eXpel the French from Ton
quin. The Chinese had at length
decided to formulate propositions
demanding the recognition of
their suZerainty and the evacuation of
the places occupied by the French, but
did not attempt to discuss the rights con-
ferred on France by her treaties with An
nam. They simply ignored those rights
and declared TOnquin to be their property,
and demanded that the French should re-
tire, promising to cOncede to France a
position similar to that which she now
occupies in certain parts of China. France
oCnb q lCBlg OL0OiAlS nndb OnC OOuSlUGItu
the possible basis of an agreement
The Cabinet, he said, still consid-
cred the Bouree treaty lKl.ftnl issIble,
but the constitution of a neutrH zone be-
tween TOnquin and China would create
a situation advantageous to France. To
sum up: China demanded reVersiOn to
the state of things which existed prior to
the year 1873. France, he declared, must
prosecute firmly and rapidly the work al
20 Cd
with China, he added, have been only in
terrupted. Let events speak for them
selves. Perhaps the time will come when
China will be happy to find us still ready
to examine arrangements compatible
with Frances interests, and France has
never departed from the path of firmness
and moderation. The force of circum-
stances has rendered her the representa-
tive of the interests of all Europe in the
East. M. Lacour concluded by declaring
that the Chamber had to express conf
dence, not in the government, but in it.
self for, added he, the policy of the Cabi-
net has been indOrsed by the Legislature.
LONDON, Oct. 30.-A dispatch from
Paris states that the French government
in view of the warlike attitude of China,
will ask the Chamber for a much larger
credit for the expenses of the expedition
in Tonquin than was originally intended.
Even SnOuld Cnlna only remain on the de-
fensive larger reinforcements of troops
will be required in Tonquin. The govern
ment does not expect a defeat in the
Chamber on its TOnquin policy. II FL
caro- publishes a report that the Governor
of the Chinese Province of Yurnan with
$4,000 troops has received orders to enter
TOnquin and occupy Gao Bang, about 1870
miles north of Hanoi, the present French
headquarters.