Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-26
FORMOsA,s SAFETY.
The French Fleet Too Small to Success
fully Blockade the Ports.

fully Blockade the Ports,
LONDON, Oct. 25.-The report that
England was about to mediate between
France and China with a view to an
amicable settlement of the present diff
culties was altogether without founda-
ton. The Chinese Government has given
immense orders for munitions of war in
London, Berlin and other cities. Ar
rangements have been made for a con-
signment of heavy guns and small arms.
Among the purchases already made by
China are 100000 cartridges, which
were made during the Franco-German war
These are now being shipped from London.
Experts say that the powder in these car
tridges would, at this late day, be unable
to eject bullet from themuZZle OF rifle.
Earl Granville, Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, in acknowledging the in
timation Of French blockade of the port
Of Formosa, has informed Prime Minister
Ferry that the British Government re-
serves the right of questioning the valid
ity of the blockade, inasmuch as there has
been no formal declaration of war by
France.
FRANCES FLEET TOO SMALL.
The Aroy and Nary Gazette declares
that the French are unable to effect a
blockade of the island. One half of Ad-
miral COurbet's squadron is required to
guard he Lung and Tamsui. Only seven
vessels are therefore left with which to
attempt blockade of the island. The
western coast of FormOsa contains 10
ports which are in constant cOmmunica-
tion with the continent.
The French Government has decided to
reinforce Gen. Briere de PIsle in TOnquin
and Admiral COurbet, commanding the
operations against China, by $4,000 addi-
fnVnn nj nnJo L..
TOul0n to place transports In preparation
Immediately. The French consuIs at va
rious towns in China have been ordered
to go to Shanghai, owing to the menacing
attitude of the Chinese.
MILLOT BEFORE THE CABINET.
The French Cabinet Ministers this
morning listened to Gen. MillOts account
Of his operations in Tonquin, and were
entirely satisfied with his course. Gen.
Millot expressed the opinion that the re-
ports being received in regard to the pre-
sent situation in TOnquin were much
exaggerated. The French, he said, were
strongly fortified aud able to repulse any
attacks.
All the Princes of the empire have been
specially summoned to attend an impe-
rial audience at Pekin Nov. 8 and I.
The transports CanOrin, BenhOa, Sarthe
and AnnOmate are hurriedly loading mu-
AlblOuS Ol WAL at 1buiOu IOI 1OuQulHs
Orders have been sent to the arsenal to
prepare great quantities of stores to equip
more transports for dispatch TO that
country.
A DAMAGING EXPOSURE.
The Paris Figaro publishes a suppressed
report of the seance of the Tonquin Com
mission held here last December. The re-
port shows that Premier Ferry promised
that the war in TOnquin would be local.
ized, and told the commission that France
would have the friendly offices Of England
in the arbitration of the question. Gen.
Cameron, Minister of War, advised the
commission that if success in Tonquin
was not fully achieved, it would be ne
cessary to recall the troops, and that fur
ther sacrifices were not worth the end in
view, and it was better to liQuidate the
whole business. These revelations will
assist the Radicals in their opposition to
the continuation of the war.
A dispatch from Shanghai ann ounces
that the WOosUng river will be barred
Monday, with the exception of passage
of 260 feet for the ships of friendly ma
tiOnS,