Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-14
AT roo enc w.
Further Jottines ON the Scene OF War by
"Hernh- Correspondent.


Our correspondent at Foo-Cbow sends
us the following. says the Herald:
FoO.CHCw. August 2, 1Ssf.-The pre-
parations for war by the Chinese at Foo
Chow have been quite extensive. II Is
probable that from 10000 TO $4,000 soldiers
are stationed along the river bank In forts
and camps. II these men could be relied
on Foo-Chow would be stronghold.
The Kmpal Pass, about thirty miles dis
tant at the mouth OF the Min, IL deep and
narrow channel. The forts on either
side are mornted with magnificent
guns, which, couragcously and skilfully
handled, would defy the entrance Of we'll
nieb every foe. Nor would 1t be easv 10
land men TO take them by assault. The
hills in all directions are precipitous, and
camps are stationed at all passes. MANY OF
the Notifications are comparatively new,
and present very attractive appearance to
The eye. The Chinese soldiers wear red
coats. Ike the British, and look imposing
enough. but the truth is they are coolies In
uniform in many cases, whose principal
care Is abundant ratious, and who would
not stand to their guns against foreign
foe. IL Is generally believed. There Is little
which corresponds TO our ideas OF patriot
ism in China. Self-interest is the ruling
principle everywhere.
THE DEfENCEs.
After passing Kimpai, the golden gate.
vessels approaching FOo-Chow come to
Mingan. Though the passage is wider
here. the fOrtresses are strong. Yesterday
] saw stirring spectacle at this point.
was going down TO Sharp-Peak Island. out
side, In launch. A large French ram lay
H. -. h.. has
The guns were shotted and out, while the
deck bris,led with men. Two large Chinese
glmboats were steaming in as we passed.
There were six French war-vessels. besides
two iorpedo-boats. One OF these, great ram
of $500 tons, steamed In Just behind us and
dropped her anchor. On this occasion l
had an interview with Captain POwlett, OF
the British corvette Champion, also lying
at the anchorage, who has been placed in
charge Of the protection OF neutrals OF all
nationaiiiies. and he assured me that,
though residents were generally concerned
for the gangs Of cut-throats that might rise
TO mob and murder. he was much more con-
cerned about the danger from the thousands
OF unorganized soldiers. who might retreat
upon FOo-Chow and rife the settlement II
defeated by the French. OF course should
the French suffer reverse The position
here nine miles inland from the anchorage
would he still more precarious.
THE AMERICANS.
This leads me TO say that at Foo.Chow
the little English gunboat Merlin lies at
anchor for defence. She can land fifty men,
and fifty mole were placed on board last
evening from the Champion. The United
States steamer MonOcacy, from Shanghai.
is expected every moment now, and will
come UP TO the settlement, She Is the only
vessel IN our American navy OF light
enough draught OF water to reach us. The
community. though largely English or Euro
pean, is delighted that an American vessel
can come TO participate in our protection,
and some OF those who have cayilled in re-
gard TO the maintenance OF an American
navy would only need TO live at such
time as this in these parts TO come to bet.
ter state OF mind. The talk OF some Ame-
rican politicians and journalists in regard
to the navy seems simply absurd TO every
citizen OF the United States who, fer any
reason, has gone TO some Of these foreign
lands. Much has been said against our
service in China, but there are men IN it
who stand well IN the eyes OF those who
know their work, and this Is the time
when consular intervention TO prevent vio-
lence, as well as TO secure redress. Is the
absolute necessity Of all. IL is only the
weakness Of our naval squadron In com
parisOn with that OF other great nations
that has made local protection till now i'm
practicable.
THE FRENCH.
Admiral Courbet is a tall. slender. wlry,
nervous man, with gray hair. lie Is clear
headed, and knows what he is about. On
one occasion Chinese vessel was about to
20 out, when he sent for the captain to
come and see him. The Chinese captain
replied that his orders were not to leave
his vessel. He then told him TO stay where
he was. The vessel dropped anchor. The
first French vessel 10 enter was the Hame-
lin, which reached the anchorage on the l4,h
ultimo. IL grounded on a bar four miles
below, and was got off with much diff
Guilty. The Chinese offered no assistance,
and when she finally anchored i've Chinese
vessels lay near her. Two took positions
close by. evidently as threat, and there
was violent disagreement in Chinese
council OF war as to the eXpediency OF
firing into her. IL seemed remarkable TO
me when / saw the vessels soon after to no.
tee that one OF the Chinese gunboats was
so stationed that II she missed the disabled
enemy her great eighteen-ton gun would
surely deposit It's contents in the Imperial
Chinese arsenal.