The Portland daily press., 1885-04-02
The French Army in Tonquin in
a Precarious Situation.
Reports that China Accepts M. Ferry's
Proposals for Peace.
A Partial List of the New French
Ministry.
Contradictory Reports Concerning the
Rebel Forces at Suakim.
The Anglo-Russiao Quarrel by No
Means Settled.
Tbe FreucI, ~ roneuiu.


PARIS, April 1.-The position Of the French at
Chu is extremely precarious. General Negrier's
wound has assumed dangerous character. The
recapture of Langson will be difficult If not impos
sble until next year,
1t is reported that the vessels of the Tonquin
feet are in critical condition. Their boilers
almost useless. 1t will be impos sible to use ma
jority of the transports now at Toulon ready for
the China service because their draught is too great
to permit them to enter the Suez canal. The arse
nal and provision stores are almost empty and there
is dearth Of officers.
M. Ferry today handed President Grevy a de-
spatch which had just been received stating that
the Chinese government had accepted M. Ferry's
proposals for peace and wished to fix date for the
evacuation OF the position now occupied by the
Chinese. 1t was dated subsequent to the defeat of
the French forces at Langson.
The French Ministry.
M. De Freycenet has failed to secure adhesion of
the Clemenceau section as he insists upon thor
ough going war policy. NJ. De Freycinet tonight
submitted to President Grcvy the following partial
list CT Ministers:
M. De Freycinet, President of the Council and
Minister of the Interior.
Baron De Courck, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
M. Floquet, Minister of Justice.
M. Spuler, Minister of Public Instruction.
The Duke DAveirstadt Minister of War;
Rear Admiral Aube, Minister OF Marine.
Affairs i'm Egypt.
SUAKIM, April 1.-All accounts received ind-
cate that Osman Digna is completely demoralized
and that he has retired to Erkowit A flag of truce
was hoisted over Hasheen to cover his retreat
Many tribes are deserting him. The work the
Berber railroad has been resumed.
A detachment of cavalry, sent out this morning
made reconnaissance in the nelghborhood of
Tamai. They found Tamai occupied by large
British forces viii begin tomorrow morning at day
break. The troops will stop at the zeraoa tomor
row night, aud will march on Tamai Friday morn
The Arabs suddenly appeared before SuaBin tc-
day, in large force from the direction of Handaieb
The men who were at work on the railway were
The troops at Gen McNeirs zereba will march
out ut dsybreak to construct zereba three miles
nearer Tamai They will be supported by detach-
ments of cavalry. The troops at Gen. Graham's
camp will then advance to the first zereba, and the
There appears to be about 10000 Arabs beeween
Hasheen and Tamai.
Rnssia and England.
LONDON, April 1.-The Pail Mall Gazette this af-
ternoon states that Russia's answer to England to
the proposals in the Afghan Lquestion amounts to
cordial acceptance of the proposals as made by
Earl Granville. The pointsstill to be discussed is
the Russian suggestion that it would be prac-
tical if the of survey overcapped the roughly
defined zone of the debatable land which may the
Gazette says still lead to a difficulty.
Lieutenant Colonel Sweeny of the Seventh Fusi-
leers, who for many years has been at Gibraltar,
had long interview yesterday with an American
mules in the United States. He made special in
quiries about the mulebreediog lOcalIBies and the
tone of his questions gave the Impression that the
government is thinking of making extensive pur-
chases. Already so much criticism has been called
out by the large meat contracts given to firms in
Chicago that it is officially explained that the Eng
lish meat packers cannot be patronized, and that
the contract which was given to the Messrs. Moir
here was so badly lied that it had to be revoked.
The temporary relief caused by the pacific talk of
the Marquis Of Harrington last night is almost
wholly dlssipated by the statement that Russia con-
cedes no single vital point at issue. The prep.
aratons are going ahead as briskly as ever, and
there is absolutely no Ireal reason to count on a
peaceful solution.
ST. PETERSBURG. April Tho morning papers
here have adopted very pacific tone. The Svet
warns the English Government not to count too
much on the friendship Of the Ameer and Asiatics,
whom it says Russia understands better than Eng
land.
The government has engaged dozen of the finest
available steamers transports for at least six
months at rates varying from twenty to thirty shi-
ngs per ton when in SERVICE with option of dock
ing them at lower rates. 1t Is reported that mill
tary council at ST. Petersburg advised the Russian
Government against undertaking until a rail
way has been completed to Sarakhs.