Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-29
THE OLD MORLD.
The Fight at Feo-Chow Much More
of Massacre Than a Battle

The Fight at Feo-Chow Much More
of a Massacre Than a Battle.
PARIS, Aug. 24-The bombardment
of Foo Chow began at o'clock yes
terday afternoon and ceased at p m.
Only one Chinese battery replied. The
The report that two French vessels
were sunk during the engagement
is unconfrmed. The French feet has
sustained no damage.
A Shanghai dispatch says: ''The
Foo Chow arsenal was destroyed yes
terday, after three hours lombard
ment, by Admiral Courbet's squadron.
Seven Chinese gunboats were sunk;
two escaped, The European settle
ment is undisturbed.
1t is hoped that the Chinese trouble
may yet be arranged under the aus
pices of Bismarck 1t is regarded as
noteworthy fact that Baron de Cour-
eel, the French ambassador to Ger
many, was summoned to Paris Friday
and returned to Berlin on the same
train with Ii Fong Pao, Chinese min
ister Baron de Courcel was over
heard to remark to member of the
Chinese legation at the depot, Let US
hope the journey will be favorable to
each of US"
OF the Chinese men-of-war which
escaped the French bombardment at
o-Chow, one was stranded and her
back was broken. The other met
with No mishap. The French recon-
menced firing to-day, directing their
shots against the pagodas. 1t is sur
taised that the object of the renewed
attack is to entirely obliterate the
place. French transports are she'll
ing the villages on the heights around
the arsenal.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE.
LONDON, Aug. 25.-A0miral Cour-
bet again opened fire at 2 p. M, and
the Chinese replied almost simultan
eously. The dock yard arsenal was
fired Immediately, but with only par
tial success. The eleven vessels
forming the Chinese fleet were most
ly light river and coast transports and
were really toys. The French had
eight heavily-armed, viz: The Volta,
Dugay, Trouin, Delsm ming, Aspic,
Vissera, Loux and Villars. Several
of the Chinese gunboats maintained
bravely des lltory fire for about a
quarter of an hour when the survivors
of their crews leaped overheard. The
combat was practically finished in
seven minutes. The superior French
artillery made the contest after the
disabling of tie Chinese vessels, an
unequal one. There was no fight; it
was a massacre. This is the opinion
of every spectator Two eighteen-ton
gunboats of the Chinese fleet fought
well, one sinking near the English
man of-war Champion, while the
other, stationed above the junk0,
made good stand.
The French kept up the fire on the
arsenal, neighboring building, forts,
barracks and villages until five in the
afternoon although resistance from
the shore batteries ceased about three
Some of the French and Chinese ships
were engaged in close proximity to
the English men-of-war Vigilant and
Champion.
At o'clock Sunday evening three
burning gun boats foated down
the stream, one carrying the French
colors. Numerous fire juncks, blazing
in dangerous manner, imperilled the
English men war, but were Tended
off. One English bark was saved by
the English men-of war The French
torpedo boat exploded the stern of
boat with 1, 900 transports and the two
sinking gunboats. The scenes on the
river as the dead and wounded floated
by were terrible. The English saved
many of the wounded The forts
lower down have not yet been attack
ed. The Times correspondent, the
only newspaper representative pres
ent, was on board the Champion.
The Times Foo Chow dis patch,
dated Sunday, o'clock 2. M, says
the French shelled the barracks and
camp near Puantao. No resistance
was made to the attack. The consul
ate buildings were looted by Chinese
soldiers, who were in uniform and
| armed. The French chief of staff re
ports the French loss al SIX men. The
Times correspondent believes this es-
innate untrue. An English pilot was
killed during the scare Saturday
night, when the French opened their
heavy fire, and, it is believed, sank
one of their own torpedo boats. The
bombarGment is described as of most
sickening character. The Chinese
fleet lately on the Min river, with the
exception of two ships, was blotted
out. No surrender was allowed the
disabled and sinking ships. After
their guns were silenced they were
shelled for hours.