Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-30
CHINA RETAKES LANGSOU.
NEGRTER SHOT AND HIS FORCE
ON THE RETREAT.

Utter AnnfhfIatiOn of the French Threat-
ened at the Hands of $4,000 Chinese
A Piteous Appeal to Ferry for 10000
ReinfOrcements-An OminOus Silence
as to the French Losses-Wild ExcitS-
ment at Paris and the Dissolution OF
the Ministry Threatened.
PARIS, March 29.-The Chinese forces
gained victory over the French at Lang
sou on Friday. They carried the key Of
the position and entrenchment. The
French troops retreated beyond Dong
Dang. They are falling back on Long
Koi. The French loss in men and guns il
unknown. The Chinese, it is estimated,
are $4,000 strong. They menace the
French lines of communication with the
south. it Is reported at Paris that Gen.
Briere de PIsle asks for reinforcements to
the number of 10000 men. The French
reverses have increased the political ex-
citement in Paris. The narrow majority
obtained by the government yesterday on
the vote of confidence leads to an eXpec-
tation that the Ministry will be defeated
in the next TOnquin debate and will then
resign. The Radical and Monarchist Or
gans predict an early fall of Premier
Ferry.
The following dispatch has been re-
celVed from Gen. Briere de PIsle, dated
Hanoi, March Is: 81 regret to announce
that Gen. Negrier has been severely
wounded and has been obliged to evacu-
ate Langsou. The Chinese, in three
large columns, made an impetuous attack
upon our POSITION before kilua. Col.
Herbinger, in the face of the superior
number OF the enemy and the exhaustion
OF his ammunition, was obliged to retreat
to Dong Dang and Hanoi. | am amassing
forces on the Chu and Kep roads. If the
enemy still increases | shall retire to
Songkoi. Whatever happens, hope to
be able to defend the whole delta. Please
send reinforcements as quickly as pos
sible."
THE DISASTER TOLD IN DETAIL.
1t is officially announced that the Chi
nese troops on the TOnquin frontier yes
terday made desperate attack upon the
entrenched camp, which had been estab-
llshed by Gen. Negrier, between Langsou
and kilua, and from which Gen. Negrier
had been making reconnOissances beyond
the frontier separating Tonquin from
China proper. The Chinese drove the
French back to Langsou aud recaptured
that town. During this series of fights
Gen. Negrier was grievousIy wounded
and the French casualties were very seri-
Gus. The latest accounts represent the
French troops to be in full retreat, with
the Chinese vigorously pursuing them. A
vast quantity of cOmmissarY and other
stores have been lost.
NEGRIER's WOUND.
Gen. Negrler received gunshot wound
in the chest. He was brought from the
field, but his recovery is doubtful. The
total French loss in killed and wounded
is not yet known. Gen. Briere de PIsle.
who is in chief command in TOnquIn, tel
egraphs for assistance in an imploring
tone, which leads Parisians to expect a
further disaster. A council of war was
held to-day with Gen. Lewal, Minister of
War, presiding. Intense excitement pre-
walls wherever the bad news has become
known in France.
A report IS IN circulation tonight that
Gen. Negrier has died from his wounds.
THE CABINET MEETS.
The Cabinet met at 8 O'Clock this even
ing. Another meeting will be held at
o'clcck - morrow morning.
~ j9HfH0t q es OebGtS says NFgarcc
1851 make s0G necessary efforts IN bel
of her W la Ionquin. Reinforcenents
Wiii n. 4t, not uo-ihosrow. but t0-nay
F-ollg9W, however, we shall sae with
rea,on- iity rests.
Lu ~ FNeh expedition ~
Pekin. 1t says uu~D 4 I4y..--. F@rrY VII
make a statement in the Chamber Of
Deputies tomorrow.
NEGRIER's RECOVERY EXPECTED.
PARIS, March 80, A. M.-Gen. de
PIsle, in another dispatch, says: sGen.
Negrier is at Dong Dang. 1t is expected
that he will recover. Col. Herbinger is
with the column at Thannoi. The French
evacuated their positions without moles-
tatiOn from the Chinese. Provisions and
ammunition are plentiful at Dong Dang.
The military stores at Cha will suffice for
all the needs Of the French.
The kilograms maintain absolute silence
regarding the French losses. The Cabi-
net has decided to dispatch reinforce
ments to Tonquin Immediately and to
ask in the Chamber of Deputies to-day a
credit of $4,000, 600, half for the Ministry
of War and half ior the Ministry Of
Marine.
M. Clemenceau has called meeting of
the members Of the extreme left for to-
day to decide upon their course. Several
deputies who support Premier Ferry are
IN favor Of plenary meeting Of all the
Republican groups.