The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-07
New York Herald, S0th ult. 70
A Repulse OF the French--The Fate
of the Ministry. 20


Remarkable news is brought to us to-
day by the Mackay. Bennett cable, Gen.
Negrier has been defeated at Lsngson
on the Chinese fiontier. He has been
forced to evacuate The town, and bis
forces are now scattered along the road
to Bacninh. Much excitement reigns
in Pari. and many predict the fall Of
Ministry.
1t is only six weeks ago that General
Briere de pIsle telegrsphed to Paris
"The national flag floats over the citadel
OF Lsngson and the Chin se army is in
full retreat" 80 hoist that Aag eleven
hattles had beep fousht; -hunlled
French soldiers had heen killed; Eve
hundred French soldiers had been
wounded. The enemy had defended
every fortidcation along the road; they
had lost three camps and sixty intrenched
positions; their losses had been estima-
ted by the French at not less than ten
thousand men.
The difficulties experienced by -.he
French we're at least as great as any eA-
perienced by the English In the Soudan.
There were rivers to be forded and
heights to be scaled. The Chinese de.
fences were formidable in structure. In.
vslids fell by the way. "Accursed
country" wrote correspondent, "where
every scratch turns into an ulcer." Pro.
visions we're of the worst quality. In
canton nents the troops spent their time
smoking cigarettes, reading old newspa.
pers, playing dominos, talking OF home
or the arrival of relnforcements, crili.
cising the fight of Yesterday or discus
sing the combat OF tomorrow. Their
.privatious were many, yet they kept up
their heart and fought their way onward
until their commsnder.in chief was able
to telegraph: "The national flag floats
over the citadel OF Llngsou."
And this 10 the end. High up in these
solitary mountains, surrounded by the
thick fogs OF early spring, cut of from
communication with ,heir comrades al
Bacninh and the adjoining stations. they
were surprised by the Chinese and quick.
ly dislodged. Their commander had
set toe light value on the enemy, and
the Black Flags, who dominate this re.
gion Of Laneson, we're determined to
show that they had learned the trade o.
figh'ing since they gathered under Tae'
ping banners, and, bus for Chinese Cor.
don. would have founded the Kingdom
OF Eternal Peace. They are still the
only fighting men OF Topquiu. They
are still immeasnrably superior to the
Chinese OF the Northern Empire and to
the chicken-hearted Aunamites. They
are the conquerors OF ell the regions
above the Red River, and they poured
upon Negrier from their mountain fast.
nesses as they poured into che valleys
Of Tonquin, saeking towns, slaughter
ing men. carving women and children
into slavery, in the days when Gordor
drove them from Naskin.
The result OF their victory can hardly
be forecasted. Our Paris correspondent
IcCOuuto tuc ptouuuttittco W VA. ottN
overthrow and Of General Campenon'i
succession to his office. The monarch
lists even look for the fall Of the Rspub
lie. But, after all. the reverse is nc
worse than those suffered by the Englist
10 Afghsnistan and 2 ,lulsnd, and thos'
overthrew no Ministry. NJ. Ferry may
have embarked, as one statesman re
marked, during recent debate, in 81
mad, criminal enterprise" He may b
held bv the extreme radicals, as NJ. Ro
chetort suggested, to be worthy OF th'
guiIlotin But he was playing for
great stake. He was bringing vas
empire into subsection. He was open
ing one OF the greatest rivers 10 Asia t
commerce. And will France condemn
bin because Of a momentary check w,
do not think it likely.