The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-09-17

Tinr-Fu, the metropolis Of the province and
little 10 the southwest Of Peking, this force
however, Being mainly composed Of raw mate
rial. AT Sunr-Chow will he found the fourth
and las, line Of defence, under the command
Of Tso TsunE T'sng, to whom viii he intrusted
the final protection Of Peking and the Emperor
of China. For this important task he will
have 1000 good soldiers and 10000 bad ores
opium smokers Considering all these pre-
variations TO defend Pekinc, il does seem that
4 much larger army will be required to capture
the Chinese capital than France has yet been
forced to send out in the whole history Of her
colonial wars.
THE SHANGHAI ARSENAL AND pocKYARp.
The Chinese works at Shanghai are the
largest and hest in the empire. The city is on
the Wuo-Sung river, twelve miles from its
junction, with population Of $4,000. The
arsenal was established in ls65 for the special
manufacture Of Remington rifles anil cartridges
but its facilities and operations have been
steadily increased, until it has developed into
the fret arsenal in China for the manufacture
Of heavy guns ard armOr plates. The dock
ward is the most perfect in China. The best
guns Of native manufacture in the hands of
the Chinese troops have been made in this
arsenal. The heavy guns are muZzle ioaders,
on the Armstrong system, built under the sup
ervision Of an Englishman, graduate OF the
Woolwieh arsenal, and tests have pronounced
than as safe and effectual as like guns turned
ont at woolwich or Elswick. Here, also, shot
and shell arc made for the heavy guns, and
within the last year special establishment
has been formed for the construction Of tor
pedoes. In the way Of shiphuilding, little has
been accomplished at the Shanghai yards
One small ironclad monitor was made and
launched under the sensational name Of The
Terror # Western Nations, but 1t sadly belied
its christening. There is large Eunpowder
factory at Shanghai, the scene OF a number OF
fatal and sensational explosions. About 20
tons Of powder of a good quality are turned
out each week. Late China papers report
that extensive preparations, mainly in the way
Of torpedoes, have been taken to guard against
an attack by the French feet. Ii is not likely
however, that the French will make an attack
on Shanghai, as such action would probably
lead TO complications With other powers. The
Americans, British, Russians and Germans
have large concessions within the municipal
limits of Shanghai.
THE ARSENAL AT CANTON.
Canton is The strategic city in South China.
II is the great stronghold of the military power
and the center from which troops will be sent
to harass the French in TOnquin. 1t is the
objective point for the French feet. The cap
ture Of Canton would 60 far to end the war.
II has population variously estimated at
from 100000 TO 100000, and fully one
third of the population live on boats. 1t is on
the Chu-kiang or Pearl river. eighty miles
from the sea. Fourteen miles below Canton,
at Whampua, there Is large granite craving
dock aud wood and mud docks. A large force
Of brave and skilled Chinese soldiers are sta
toned at Whampoa under 4 skilled command
er, and the river approaches to WhamPoa and
thence TO Canton are no doubt carefully lined
with torpedoss. There is a fine channel to
Canton and a magnificent anchorage there,
but only steamers are allowed to go beyond
WhampoA. At the Canton arsenal the staple
manufacture is that Of small arms and their
ammunition. The arsenal is entirely managed
and worked by the Chinese. Naturally Can
ton is a very strong position, the Pearl river
offering every facility for submarine mines
and land works, and, il all the reports relative
to the measures Of defense are correct, the
French will find that d they have tackled an
Eastern Gibralter when they open their guns
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