Daily Republican., 1884-08-25
THE WAR COMMENCED.
BOMBARDMENT AND UE9rRUC.
TION OF TINE CHINESE AR
SENAL AT FOO-CHOO.

LONDON, Aug. 23.-The attempt ol
France to exact by force the indemnity
which 1t failed to obtain from China by
diplomacy began to-day. At9 O'Clock
Friday night, according to dispatches,
Admiral Courbet officially announced
to the Chinese authorities at Foo-C Choo
that he had received orders from Paris
to make reprisals. Tho British Vice
Consul and doctor Immediately left their
anchorage, and by midnight were safe
on an English gnnboat. This morning
the French Consul in Foo.Choo lowered
his flag, and the announcement was
made that the Foo -Choo arsenal was to
be bombarded by the French fleet,
Hostilities began at 2 O'Clock this af-
ternoon, and despatch which left
Shanghai at o'clock this evening says
1t 10 reported that the French have cap
tured the Chimes fleet stationed at Foo
Choo, and that during the action two
of the French vessels were sunk.
PARIS, Aug. 24.-The bombardment
of Foo.ChOo began ut 2 O'Clock in the
afternoon and ceased at y. In. Only
one Chinese battery replied. The report
that two French vessels were sunk dur.
ing the engagement is unoonfrmed.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 24.-The Foo. Choo
arsenal was destroyed yesterday after
three hours bopbardment by Admiral
Courbet's squadron. Several Chinese
gunboats were sunk and two escaped.
The European settlement was not dis.
turbed.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 24.-The French
fleet sustained no damage during the
bombardDent OF Foo. Choo.
Foo -Choo, the point in China where
the first attack of the French forces was
made, is the capital city of the Province
of Foh- Kien, and one of the few ports in
China open to foreign trade. Foo. Choc
| is situated in latitude 26o g. north Ion.
gitude 1890 20, east about 420 miles
northeast of Canton, and 375 miles south
west of Shanghai. 1t stands on plain,
about two aud half miles from the
north bank of the River Min, and
| twenty-five miles from its mouth.
The city proper of Foo-Choo is regu-
larly built, but the streets, though paw ed
| with granite, and in many instances
planted with trees, are filthy, narrow,
and infested with beggars. The popu.
estimated by travellers In China al
most remarkable establishment of the
City 10 thO <hlothdlt aDOub buEtN
miles down the River Min, at Pagoda
Island, where the sea going vessels usl-
ally anchor. 1t was founded in 1867,
and has been conducted under the di.
rection ofFrench engineers, according t.
European methods.
In 1870 1t employed about 1000 work
men, besides fifty European superinten-
dents. Foo-Choo is known in China az
a city of the first class, and is the seat
of Viceroy or Governor General whose
jurisdiction extends over Fokien and
Chekiang, the province adjoining Foki-
on To the north. The city Is also a great
literary centre, and numerous gentry
who have retired from Office in other
parts of the empire and men of high lit
erary attainmeuts reside there. 1t has
several cotton, paper and hard ware
mauufactories,.s several hundred factor
les for makeing porcelain, and factories
of blue cloth, screens and combs. Neal
by are productive lead mines, and a
great tea-growing district lies within "a
miles of the city. The commerce of Foo.
Choo Is principally with Japan and the
maritime provinces ofChina. The CHIEF
exports are black teas, timber, bamboo,
fruits, orange peel, tobacco, potash
spices, grain, copper and lead. The i'm.
ports are opium, which sometimes
amount to $5, ,O0G, 900 in value for year
salt, sugar andEuropean manufactures.