New-York tribune., 1885-01-01
FRANCE.

France Is still pursuing dangerous policy OF re
nrisals abroal After delay of three months ac-
tive operations in Tonquin were resumed, and
Bacninh was captured (March 12 General Millot
threatening the fortress in front while Deheral
Negrier attacked it on the other sido The chinese
garrison retreatcd to the frontier without striking
blow, The French troops returning to Sontay adj
vanced TO Uonghoa aud occupied it April l3 with
out meeting with serious resistance NJ Ferry
adopting his usual course, demanded an indemnity
and menaced the Chinese coast with visitation OF
the fleet The Empress Re GENT was forced - make
n decision and resolved upon an lngiorious peace.
III Hung Chang negotiated treaty May - III
which tine claim for the indemnity was wItndIaWh
and the French protcctoTate of Anam and lonquln
was conceded. together with important trading
privileges with Yunnan and other provinces NJ.
Ferry had won ccnsplcn9us TRIUMPH prov'ncg nIoS
with 900, 900 subjects had virtually been ceded
TO France But success due chiefly TO audacty and
recklessness tempted HIM TO perseverc III his policy
of menace and rcprisal. The assault OF body OF
Chinese irregular troops upon a French column or
700 near Langson (June 23) was declared 10 DO
a hagrant violation OF the treaty recently con-
cluded, and an enormous indemnity was demanded
Resistance to a demand based upon an accident Tor
which the French commanders have been shown to
be chiefly responsible has involved reSunp ton OF
hOstllitieS.
Tie French fleet bombarded Foochow. destroyed
the arsenal and forts on the Min River, aud then
took possession Of kelung. IN tornosa. NJ fcrry
insisted while proposing vote OF credit lnr ionquh
operations that ho was not making war with China
but only securing pledges for an indemnity That
would eventually be paid. The Opcrai ions of his
fleet did not have the effect of intimldating China,
although the demonstration against formosa was
repeated. The French troops IN Ionqnln were
forced to act the defensive in October. and
although the blockade of portions OF the coast laB
been manta ned the war party IN Pckin has been
able to reject all proposals Tor peace, even Wleh
broacbed under the giise of English mediation. The
negotiations have apparently been broken OIL, ana
the French Government will he forced either to con-
time it's dcsultory naval operations or to strike for
pskiu. WarlIke OUPrat IONS IN madagascar nave not
been actively resumed although French influence
is steadily gaining ground. Iunls ~ rap.diy bcin2
converted into "a province, the captulations having
been suspended, and the treasury having passed
under the control OF q French agent.
NJ. Ferry. while staggering under the burdens OF
foreign campaigning has cOntrivcd to secure the
support Of tho Chambers and to undertake the re-
sponsble duty of revising tho Constitution ana the
Senatorial electoral system. Revision was ap-
proached cautiously and under limitations carefully
defined IN advance. Tho National Assembly com
pletcd its work (August l3) without departing rom
the lines laid for its action. There were dlsOrdery
exhibitions of Radical turbulence but the contract
between the Chambers was not violated. Inc
changes in the fundamental law were not sweeping
in character. The Princes were declared incllglble
for military civil Office, and the Senatorial eec
torate was brought within the scope OF subsequent
legislation. This Legislation has rapidly iooWehc % co.
Senate has been adopted by both Chambers. Inc
Deputies undertook TO amend 1T by providing ior
the election of all Senators by departmental house
hold suffrage. This amendment was rejected by the
Senate and tue Deputies were forced to yeld under
penalty of receiving NJ. ferrys resignation. Inc
Senate hereafter will not have seventyhve life
members, but will he an elective assembly, the cleo
toral bodies consisting of the CouncGcncral OF the
Department and contingent OF delegates chosen by
the communal councils on tho basis of population.
Universal suffrage will be directly rcsponslb Bile for
the Deputies and indirectly responsible Tor the
Senators.
NJ Ferrys success in governing Is largely to be
ascrlb ID to the mpractca5ility of obtaining sub
sttute for him. There are many signs of dssats-
faction with his foreign policy and compromises In
domestic legislation. But NJ. BrlssOn does not ven
ture to take the Premiership. and other states
man is willing 10 the responsibility for con-
Quoting the 1onquin negotiations. Nj. Ferry is also
careful to make timely concessions to Radical feel
ino and to offer no opposition to exhibitions of hos
tility to the clergy, such as tho refusal OF the
IDENTITIES to exempt candidates for. the priesthood
from conscrption. The general condition of France
cannot be said to be reassuring The revenue lacks
its oldtime elasticity There are Signs Oh nha2ciai
enormous debt and the most expensive military sys,
TEN In Europe. Pestlence. too, has left its brand
upon three of the great centres OF population and In
tensi6ed the general feeling of depression.