Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-05
FRANCO-CHINESE WAR.
Admiral Courbet's Report of the Com
meucement of Operations Against Ke
Lung.

Admiral Courbet's Report of the Conn
meucement of Operations Against Ke
Lung.
PARIS, Oct. 4.-Prime Minister Ferry,
in his note to the British Embassy ex-
planning the measures adopted by France
for the safety of foreigners in China, says
that Admiral Courbet was instructed at
the beginning of the war not to injure for
eign concessions. The note concludes
with assurance OF Frances sOhcitude for
the interests of English commerce.
Gen. de Lisle sends despatch in which
he states that hearing that the Chinese
troops between Bacle and Lang Sou were
moving forward he took measures neces-
sary to drive them back with gunbOats.
A brilliant engagement ensued, 1000
Chinese troops being pitted against him.
Commander Chalie, of the Massue, was
killed IN the fight. When the dispatch
was sent the Chinese were being steadily
driven back, and had lost heavily of their
number.
La TeleqrdDhe says that it has received
information that the government intends
shortly to recall Admiral Courbet from
China, and has therefore instructed him
to destroy the Chinese fleet IN the event of
He Lung falling.
FRENCH GUNBOATS ATTACKED.
Advices from Hanoi, under date of to.
day, state that the gunboats Mousquetor,
Nassue and Pache, while cruising in ad-
vance Of party which was reconnOiter-
ing in the valley of Lochnan. were at
tackled by Chinese regulars. One French
officer was killed, and 30 men were
wounded. Reinforcements have already
arrived at the scene of the encounter, and
others, under command of Gen. Negrier,
have left Hanoi.
HONG KONG COOLIES RIOTING.
HONG KONG, Oct. A serious riot
among coolies occurred here yesterday.
Some of the bOatmen refused to convey
cargo to the French ships, and a general
strike followed, resulting in disorders.
The pOpulace maltreated the police who
endeavored to preserve order. The mill
tary finally quelled the disturbance. Sew
eral natives were killed, and a number
wounded. The excitement has now sub
sided.
THE BOMBARDMENT BEGAN.
PARIS, Oct. 4.-Advices have been re-
ceiVed here from Hong Kong of to-day's
date which contain information that Ad-
miral COurbet began the bombardment of
the forts at KilunZon Wednesday. The
Chinese offered a lively resistance. The
French loss on the morning of Wednes-
day was two men killed and ten wounded.
COURBET's REPORT.
Admiral COurbet has telegraphed from
Ke Lung under date of Oct. as follows:
commence operations against Ke Lung
Wednesday by occupying the height of st.
Clement. The Chinese forces, after a fairly
warm engagement Wednesday night, evac-
uated two of their works westward of the
height, which we afterwards occupied. l am
now fOrtifying them, and shall operate Sat
urday against their works eastward of the
height. Our loss was killed, l missing and
l3 wounded. The Chinese loss is estimated
between 80 and 100 killed and 300 wounded.
Admiral Lespes commenced the attack upon
| Tomsin Thursday, and will occupy that port
if possible.
THE CABINETS POLICY.
The RepubIiQue FrdncdiSe says that the
French Cabinet has no intention of going
beyond the policy which has been per-
sued towards China, and which is ap-
proved by majority of It's members. The
| occupation of Ke Lung and affairs at Foo
Chow have not altered the position of
France towards China, nor have they
made declaration of war necessary. The
Steele says that it expects an early
| restoration of the entente cordiale with
China.
Lord Lyons, the British Ambassador at
Paris, has been instructed to protest to
Prime Minister Ferry against the action
of the French fleet in searching English
steamers in FOrmosa.