The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-27
THE FRENCH IN THE EAST.
No Reparation Yet Made for the Massacre
of Christians by Tonquinese.

LONDON, Dec. 26-Catholic missionaries in
Tonquin complain that the court of Hue,
at the capital of AMMAN. has not
fulfilled its promise to make reparation
for the massacre of Christians some months
ago. CORES pondent at Hanoi says the court
is strongly hostile to the French, and advocates
clean sweep of officials at Hue.
A Critic Points Out Frances Weak Points.
Hong Kong Letter in London Times.
A review OF events in the far East should offer
some reflection to Frenchmen, if they choose to
look at things in a sober light
The Tonquin affair has grown into very Sc
rious business, and the operations have ex-
tended to Formosa The more the territory and
the more extended the frontiers held by the in
vaders the more fear is there Of complications,
and the more are there of ambitious officials
ready to provoke quarrels, and SO necessitate
another move forward.
Where are events loading the French to2 No
one can tell They are creating embarrassments
for themselves, as well as for China, their
enemy. and England, their neutral and friendly
neighbor. If peace be made some day, what
will be the net resultl Some f9 100000 have
been spent, large losses have been sustained in
the field, and enormous losses from sickness.
There is also complete uncertainty regarding the
future.
Beyond this, there is something else worthy
of consideration Is the spectacle afforded to
other nations mot perhaps unfriendly) of the
French army organization Il source of strength
| say it is quite the contrary; and l have fol-
lowed the French twice in Tonquin. The Tou-
quin campaign showed that their system is not
adapted for carrying on colonial wars. The
territorial army upset in order to provide
troops for the TOnquin expedition, and to-day
the government dare not call for more volun-
teers. The French are reported to be now
founding a colonial army. This will not better
matters but it will facilitate the engaging in
further adventures.
The chief faults which detected in the field
were the looseness of discipline and the want
of reliance and confidence between the men
and their officers, and between the different
ranks of officers themselves. The soldiers
certainly show enormous contrast in
this matter compared with the English
and Germans, though the changes in warfare
make the influence of officers more necessary
Union and sympathy, extending from the pri-
Yates to the chief commanders, and insuring
united action, are sadly. wanting now, as in 1870
The period of peace which has elapsed since has
not produced the results which time and patience
have secured in the German army
Promotion is VIGOROUSLY given not for merit
but from political motives. The hospital medi-
cal arrangements are disgracefully deficient
This is not owing to the medical officers but to
the system. Generally speaking, there are the
same defects as in 1S70-weak cadres malad-
ministration, absence Of discipline, and faulty
organization,
spirit and courage of the officers is meant. The
undoubted faults which have been indicated are
undeniable and it is to the advantage of France
to know the truth.