The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-31
In Response to the Demands of the OppO-
bitiOn, ChallemeI-LacOur States the
Position of the Governments.
Additional Details of the Recent
Earthquake Shock in Smyrna.
A Liverpool Cotton Firm Fails for Three
Million DolIars-RIysteriOus Explosions
on a London Underground Railway.
THE ToNOUIN QUESTION.
The Debate in the French -Challe-
meI-Lacour's Argument.

The Debate in the French challe
~meI-Lacour's Argument.
PARIS, Oct. 30.-In the Chamber of Depu-
ties, to-day, Granet, of the extreme Left, in
terpellated the government upon its policy in
%Tonquin, and requested an explanation OF the
objects sought to be obtained, and the means
OF conducting an expedition in that country.
Granet pointed out what we're apparent con-
tradictions existing in the information fur
nished by the government, and said that it
was contrary to official declarations that diff
~ficulties had been raised by China.
Granet reproached the government with
concealing the facts and distressing the pa
! triotism OF the Chambers. Reverting to the
| Bouree treaty, he said that China had threat
ened resistance and there was danger OF war.
II errors of the government compromised
the country. The present moment, he de-
clared, was the critical one, and France
should turn her eyes toward the passage of
the Vosges.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed
the Chamber in reply TO the remarks of
Granet. He repudiated the idea hat the
Tonquin expedition was an adventure. The
French were, he said, e%ncountering more
formidable opposition than was expected,
but the difficulties were far from insur-
mountable. China had awaited herself of
the blockade on the coast of AMMAN to claim
her suzerainty, and home OPPOSITE on had
used it.
At this point the speaker was interrupted
by Papon, Clemenceau and Douville, who
protested against the remarks.
Resuming, Challemel-Lacou said the gov
eminent had no intention of advancing upon
Hue, but it became necessary to strike the
the resounding blow. The speaker justified
the occupation of Hue and the forts, which
had resulted in the treaty and clearing up of
the situation.
The Chamber then took a recess. Upon
resumption of the session, Challemel-Lacour
continued. He said the government had
failed in none of their engagements, nor
was there any contradiction between
their acts. In a word, no import
ant event had occurred making neces-
sary an early convoking of Parliament.
The French were masters of the Red river
delta, and the enemy occupied but two i'm
pOl tdhb pldOSos iIOn WHlCu T6lllOTC0IuGlIS
| would disiodge them. All documents neces-
! sary had been published, and those not pub
lished in the yellow book only showed the
nconsistencies of the Chinese policy. 1t was
clear that China had never really sought a Sc
rious compromise, but simply wanted to gain
time, while France had sincerely endeavored
to arrive at an agreement without accepting
a humiliating capitalization. China had
never recognized the Bouree treaty, and no
understanding between France and China
had been effected thereon. 1t was evident
China sought to expel the French from Ton
quin. The Chinese at length decided to for
| mulate propositions demanding recognition
of their suzerainty and the evacuation of
places occupied by the French, but they did
not attempt to discuss the rights conferred
on France by her treaties with AMMAN. They
simply ignored those rights, declared Ton
quin to be their property, and demanded
that the French should retire, prom
Using to concede to France a
position similar to that which she
now occupies in certain parts of China.
France sent a reply stating what she consid-
cred a possible basis of agreement. The
cabinet, he said, still considered the Bouree
treaty inadmissible, but the constitution of
a neutral zone between Tonquin and China
would create a situation advantageous to
France. To sum up, China demanded re-
version to the state of things which existed
prior to the year 1873. France, he declared,
must prosecute frmly n rapidly the work
already far advanced. THE negotiations
with China" he added, have been
only Interrupted. Let events speak for
themselves. Perhaps the time will come
when China will be happy to find US still
ready to agree to an arrangement compatible
with Frances interests and honor. France
never departed from the path of frmness
and moderation. Force Of circumstances
rendered her the representative of the inter-
ests of all Europe in the East"
He concluded by declaring the Chamber
had to express confidence, not in the govern
ment, but in itself, for" added he, 1.-THE
policy of the cabinet has been Endorsed by
the legislature"
After M. Challemel- Lacour's address, M.
Perrin spoke. He reproached the govern
ment for not having fulfilled its promise, and
characterized the Tonquin affair as a mere adj
venture. Frenchmen, he SAID, were not afraid
of a war with China, but the necessity there
for must first be shown. He thought it bet
ter to penetrate China by trade, than by
arms. Twenty thousand men were required
in Tonquin, and it will be i%mprudent to
spare so many Frenchmen in the present
| state of affairs In Europe.