The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-09-17
=. A-.nnl, nr chinn.

Of Lieutenant tiigucl, gallant young ofncer
Of the French navy. and for a long time the
arsenal was under the management OF the
officers from the French navy-in fact, from
its construction until the difficulties leading
to the war between France and China were
developed The city Of Foo-Chow, one OF the
TWENTY-FIVE open ports in China, with pop
ulatiou cf about $50 900 within It's walls, and
it is claimed as many more without, Is IN The
province Of. Foukien and situated on The Min
river, some thiriy-fye miles from lis mouth
The arsenal and dockyard were established or
the north side Of The river, near what is
known as the Pagoda anchorage, some ten
miles below Foo Chow In the earlier days
Of this arsenal and dockyard, while under the
superyision Of its founder, Lieutenant Giquel,
a vas, deal Of war material was completed IN
the course Of the wear and several Chinese
neu-of-war were constructed, hut Of late
wears there had been hut little activity IN the
arsenal, while the doekyard bad only been
used for the needful repairs Of the Foo-Chow
feet. reported destroyed by the French. In
fact. for several years past the Chinese Gov
eminent had contemplated the removal Of the
entire plant to the arsenal at Canton. The
total appropriatiuns for the arsenal and dock
ward footed up to over Sl5,O00,O0o. As these
works were far inferior to the arsenals at
Marking, Tientsin and Shanghai, an idea can
he entertained Of tie enormous expenditures
in the matter Of arsenals made by the Chinese
Government. Large sums were expended IN
submarine dofenses and land works TO render
the Min liver impossible to any hostile feet
anxious TO assault Foo Chow, Vessels OF over
eight feet draft can only 60 up the river as
far as the PagOda anchorage, as above that
point the water is shallow: all foreign YES
sells have to stop at the anchorage. AT this
arsenal quite a number Of Chinese gunbnats
have been constructed wooden boats, hut
yerv speedy and serviceable. They were
used in time of peace as freiGhiers and 90
watch the piratical iunks in their bold efforts
TO smucrie opium OF late years these gun
boats have been commanded by mandarins,
the only Europeans on board being the enei-
peers. When first built they were ofhcered by
Europeans and Americans, and while SO CON-
nsnded did splendid duty in protecting the
commerce along the whole Chinese coast, but
after the mandarins took command, the pirates
in their hunks did not manifest any great re-
spect for the Cunboats, nor did the manda-
rms show any great skill in fighting them.
The report that the French ships wiped these
rupboats out Of existence can well be credited.
Ii is questionable, however, If the French
went as tar up the river as Foo-Chow. They
would have been forced to make the trp IN
their small boats, with dangers from sub
marine iorpedoes and land forces at every
Stage Of the Journey. Foo-Chow, ty the way,
il ore Of the leading tea shipping ports IN
China, the shipping season extending IRON
Nav to October, the later shipments being Tor
the American markets. Over 1900 vessels,
with an aggregate Of $4,000 tons, enter this
port annually
THE NANKISG ARSENAL
At NaukinE the works were established N
sal under the supervision Of an English
officer, aud here were first introduced into
China the modern ideas Of the manufacture Of
war materials The arsenal is situated out
side the CITY walls, some ten miles from the
Yanctse, Que Of the most magnificent rivers IN
China. The arsenal is entirely managed and
worked by the Chinese. The works CON-
prise a large iron foundry, with steam ham
mers and other improved machinery necessary
for the construction Of light field-guns, Rem
iuctou rifles and cartridges. Some few Call
Ing guns and Pirie rifles have also been con-
structed al This arsenal; also a "two-man
run a clever iuveuiion by the mandarin IN
charge Of the ARSENAL piece weighing iorty
pounds and with an inch caliber, intended 10 be
carried by two men, one supporting 1t on his
shoulder while the other fires IT. At the
Marking arsenal have been constructed con-
siderable number Of feld-guns on the model
Of the Krupp steel guns, but being construct
ed Of wrought iron instead OF steel,the chances
are that when used in action they viii De more
destructive 10 the Chinese than to the French.
A branch torpedo schco! has been established
al this arsenal under the supervision Of ID. P.
nffl~Nl IN the urfnn ,~tateS
navy. 1t is reported that extensive prepara-
tons have been to protect Marking, city Of
from 100000 to 100000 population, this
arsenal from French invasion. Ii is true that
an English feet succeeded in forcing its way
TO Marking, the southern capital Of China, in
1872, but it is not likely that any French eI-
pedition would meet with such an easy pas
sage. Marking is over zoo miles from the
mouth Of the Yang;se-kiang and there are
ruauy passes which could easily be rendered
dangerous, if not impossible. Il Is reported
that a complete system Of submarine defense
Of the river has been established by the Chi
Dese Government and that an invading French
feet would have to contend with torPedoes and
forts armed with heavy guns, as well as many
runboats Of the improved Armstrong type.
The rTENTsTN ARSENAL.
Tientsin, city with over 900 souls, is
on the road from Peking-the tortheru capital
Of the empirc-io the sea Il derives its main
importance from being the seaport Of the capi-
tai. Il is on the Pei-ho river, some nifty miles
distant from the sea. At this Important point
the Chinese have extensive cartridge and gun
powder factories, erected within tic outer mud
wall Of the city. In the cartridge factory are
also manufactured electric cables, said to be
a r Il. 81, fnnN ant
4 formidable looking submarine boat, not sub
merged NJ to latest advices, was also con-
structed at this factory. On the north side Of
the river are situated the arsenal and gunpov-
der factory. The powder manufactured is said
70 be small in quantity and very inferior in
quality. At the arsenal, an immense tract Of
walled ground, on which struggling buildings
are erected, Remington rifles, Calling ma
chine guns, shot and shells FOR heavy guns,
submarine cases and electric batteries and
fuses are manufactured. The Nordenfeldt four
barreled one-inch gun is also initiated, but
with indifferent success. At the mouth Of the
Pei-ho river are the famous Taku forts, and a
few miles above arc two small dry docks, lately
constructed, for the docking Of the Armstrong
runboais, the larger number OF these boats
owned BY China being stationed here.
AT Port Arthur, renamed Port Ii, IN honor
Of Ii Hung Chang, Governor Of tie northern
provinces, are an arsenal and dockyard. In
the Yards are two large dry docks. but the ar
sensI is in an incomplete state.
rHs pEFENsEs OF rKkIEs.
In connection with the works al Tieutsin
Taku and Port Arthur. the question arises,
will the French attempt an advance on Picking.
in defense Of which the places named are the
s,ratecetio points, 1t is safe to say that the
French will make the attempt If they come to
to the conclusion that the expedition is fea-
slide one. The capture Of the capital Of the
Chinese empire would add honor to the French
arms. and compel the mandarins. who have
virtual control Of the young Emperor and the
Empress Dovager, 10 beg for peace Oh any
terms, and then the loot in a captured city Of
from ?, 100000 to 5000, 900 population would
be very enjoyable. In is50 an English and
French force Of Is 900 men invested the city
and compelled the Emperor to conc 10 terms
on a threat to destroy the place. But the sit
uation has changed. and greatly in favor Of
the city against an attack by the French troops.
At Port Arthur the works are formidable and
might prove a severe check to the French arms.
It Is known thatover $50 torpedoes; electric
and contact, have been laid Al the mouth Of
the harbor in triple lines Should the place
be captured however, the French would ind
immense quantities Of munitions Of war accu-