Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-25
FOREIGN NEWS.
WAR ACTUALLY BEGUN.
Foo Chow Forts Bombarded by the
French Fieet-Severe Losses Suf.
fered by Both Sides.
LONDON. Aug. ..

LONDON. Aug. %.
A dispatch from Shanghai of this morning
says: Admiral Courbet has announced his
intention OF bombarding the arsenal at Foo
Chow today. The French consul in this city
has lowered his flag,
LATER-A despatch 10 the Times, which
left Foo Chow at 2.l5 p. NJ. today. SAYS ::
Hostilities began this afternoon at o'clock
PARIS, Aug. %.
A dispatch from Paris dated p. VI this
evening saws: The Chinese ambassador, Ii
Fong Pao. has just departed from Berlin. He
gave peremptory orders for lowering the flag
over the embassy this evening shortly after
the receipt of dispatch from Pekin. The
dispatch stated that the bombardment and
naval engagement at Foo Chow lasted from
o'clock until nightfall, and was answered by
the forts along the river. The firing resulted
in severe losses on both sides. During the
afternoon, Ii Fong Pao had received long
dispatch from Pekln, and had sought an
interview with Premier Ferry. The two
diplomats were closest together when the
news of the attack on Foo Chow arrived, and
while the bouleyards were ringing with the
cries of new sboys selling special editions an
nouncing the fact The street in front of the
Chinese embassy was thronged with people
y
flag was still flying over the building. but
within five minutes after the minister's car
riage had driven up to the house the flag had
disappeared, and very soon thereafter Ii
FOng Pao and his staff were en- route for
Berlin. At the Chinese legation in London
it is impossible to obtain any ustworthy
information, but from the hints that are
thrown out by DIR. Mccartney and others
it is evident that long continuance of hostil-
tiles is expected. The effect of the news in
commercial and financial circles is thus far
surprisingly small but it should be noted
that the news reached this city only few
minutes before the close of business. Stocks
were steady throughout the day, and some
American securities improved, notceably
Denver & Rio Grande bonds, which advanced
points. At Lloyds the shipping merchants
and brokers anxiously discussed the question
OF extra premiums on marine insurance on
account of war risks. 1t was decided that
extra premiums must be paid on vessels and
cargoes bound Tor Chinese ports, but that no
extra premiums would be eXacted in case of
homeward bound vessels now atlOat. Com
mon to fair Foo Chow tea advanced Id to Sd.
per, pound and further advanced is expect
ed. The tea market in London is very firm,
and the amount of tea ahoat is 100000
ponding time last year. Teas other than
those from Foo Chow remain unaltered in
price, as do opium, rice, indigo, and Chinese
silk. Trade in all these commodities is quiet
and merchants engaged in Chinese trade seem
disposed to quietly await developments. Po-
litical circles, however, are intensely excited
over the beginning of hostilities in Chinese
waters. Lord Granville has again urged the
Chinese government to pay some kind OF an
indemnity to France for the Langson incident
but the Chinese council of Mandarin's s steadily
refuses to recommend this to the imperial
government, and the impression here is that
China hopes and expects to elnbrul Engiand,
and perhaps other European powers in the
pending quarrel. Diplomatic notes are being
exchanged at a lively rate between London.
Paris and Washington, and it is net at all
certain that the whole affair may not be set
tied eventually by American meditation. The
The general opinion among business in Lon
don is that China will succumb when the
screws are applied in earnest.
A dispatch which left Shanghai at o'clock
this evening says at is reported that the
French have captured the Chinese fleet
stationed at Foo Chow. and that two French
vessels have sunk. A telegram from Pekin
announces that Ii Hung Chang has been
instructed to make Pacific advances
SHANGHAI, Aug. "a.
Foo Chow arsenal was destroyed yesterday
after three hou.s bombardment by Admiral
Courbet's squadron Seven Chinese gun
boats were sunk and two escaped. The Eu-
ropean settlement was not disturbed.
The French feet sustained no damage.
PARIS, Aug "a.
The bombardment of Foo Chow began at 2
P. NJ. and ceased at s P. NJ. Only one Chi
nese battery replied. The report that tw o
French vessels sunk during the engagement
is uncOnfirmed.
Its hoped the Chinese trouble may yet be
arranged under the auspices of Prince Bis
marck. 1t is regarded as noteworthy fact
that the Baron de Coucel, French ambassador
to Germany. was smmoned to Paris and he
returned to Berlin on the same train with Ii
Fong Pao, Chinese minister.
Baron de Courcel was overheard to remark
to member of the Chinese legation at the
depot: "Let us hope this journey will be
favorable to each of us"
SHANGHAI, Aug. "a.
OF the Chinese men of-war which escaped
the French bombardment at Foo Chow one
was stranded and had back broken and the
other met with mishap.
The French recommended firing today,
directing the shots against the pogOda. 1t is
surmised the object of the renewed attack is
to entirely obliterate the place.
The French transports are shelling the vii
lagos which occupy heights around the arsen-
al
LONDON, Aug. "a.
The Times Foo Chow despatch dated P
NJ saws the French shelled the barracks and
camps near Quantoo. No resistance was
made to the attack. The bombardment is
described as of the most sickening character.
No surrender was allowed to disabled and
sinking ships. Their guns having been
silenced they were shelled for several hours.
THE CHOLERA.