Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-15
FERRYTURNSF[RE-EA
THE WAR IN TONQUIN TO BE
CARRIED TO THE FRONTIER.

Bristling Activity to Succeed the Com
parative Inertia of the Past-The New
Minister OF War Thoroughly in Sym
pathy with the Premier's PIans-The
story of CampenOn's Resignation.
PARIS, Jan. 14.-Jules Ferry, the French
Prime Minister, this afternoon in the
Chamber Of Deputies, made an official
declaration of the governments intention
with regard TO Tonquin. The declaration
was partly in answer to an interrogatory
put forward by the opposition respecting
the retirement of Gen. Campenon from
the Ministry of War. Gen. Campenon
resigned his portfolio Jan. because.
contrary to mis- advice, the Ministry per-
sisted in a Tonquin invasion. He con-
tended that the task was Improbable and
unworthy of the Republic, which could
not, ne argued, afford to spare the 10000
French soldiers essential 10 the success
of the enterprise in view of the European
situation. and the pressing necessity of a
more perfect mobilization of the army of
France. Gen. CampenOn's idea was that
this mobilization was the immediate and
supreme duty of the hour, ana that it
should at once be undertaken with view
OF giving the republic an available mill
tary strength of 100000 of men. Gen.
Lewal, of the Seventeenth Army Corps,
who commanded the Rhine army during
the Franco-German war, and who was in
thorough sympathy with M. Ferry's
views, was at once installed as Gen. Cam
penOn's successor.
NO MILK-AND-WATER POLICY,
NJ. Ferry went bluntly to the point at
once. He announced that the government
intended to Immediately increase the
force in TOnquin, and would not stop
until it had occupied the entire country
up to the frontier of the Chinese empire.
This declaration produced profound
sensation, and was received with cheers
and considerable disapproval. Among
the distinguished visitors who were
present to hear the Ministerial announce
ment was Prince HOhenlOhe, the German
Ambassador.
NJ. Ferry, continuing, said that the op-
eratlons necessary to the proposed con-
quest of TOnquin would in no wise COM
promise the French military strength at
nome or interfere with the necessary gen.
eral mobilization. In saying this the Pre-
nlier fortified himself with the authority
OF Gen. LeWal, than whom there could be
no military authority more respected by
France. There were 3 100000 Of men in
the repubic-the best soldiers in the
world, and ready to march at a mo-
ments notice in the cause of France. 1t
was impossible to longer keep the army
in Tonquin carousing idly like hunt
ers, with their eyes liked upon
single point. That was unworthy
of an army of France. That army must
be occupied. TOnquin must be entirely
occupied. The task was not difficult. 1t
would require but an insignificant mobi-
lization. NJ. Ferry's speech, besides pro-
1ucing great sensation in the Chambers
when it was delivered, has astOunded Pa
risians generally and made them quite
serious. The general impression it has
made may be described as grand. People
discuss it as if they disliked to be forced
% contemplate the probability of the
,rOuble.
AN AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY.
La Figaro and La Gdulots state that
France and Germany have come to
complete agreement in regard to the
Egyptian, Chinese and Congo questions.
France engaged to protect German COM
merce in the French colonies, and Ger
many promises in consideration thereof
TO support France in her colonial schemes.