The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-15
He Proposes an Immediate Increase of Activ-
ity in Tonquin and the Final Occupation
of the Entire Country.
The Declaration AstOunds Paris and Is
Not Very Fayorably Received.
A Frankfort Police Commissioner Stabbed
to the Heart and His Body Left Lying
i'm the Street-Cable Notes.
FERRY'S PROGRAMME.
Tonquin to be Completely Occupied by the
French Forces

French Forces.
PARIS Jan. 14.-In the Chamber of Deputies,
to-day, on Duvals propounding question to the
government regarding their diplomatic and mill
tary action in the East, the order of the day was
adopted-294 to 234. Prime Minister Ferry, in
reply to Duvaps question, said that acting in
accordance with the vote of the Chambers on
Nov. &C. the government had decided on imme-
date and complete occupation of Tonquin the
only means to settle the difficulty with China
Gen. Cameron, until recently Minister of War,
although he disapproved the sending of further
reinforcements to the far East, never expressed
uneasiness at the military situation in that quar-
ter
General Lewal, the new Minister of War, in
speaking the military situation, declared he
was soldier, and had no desire to interfere in
politics. He praised General Campenon's devo-
tion to France and said he would strive to imi-
tate it. He denied that the present operations
in Tonquin would encanger the mobilization of
the army. France, he said, would never be en-
dangered as long as he should remain Minister
of War.
1t was after these remarks that the Chamber
adopted the order of the day-294 to 234 After
this the Chamber adjourned until Jan. 81
The London Central News account of the
proceedings in the French Chamber of Deputies
is as follows:
Jules Ferry, as French Prime Minister this
afternoon, in the Chamber of Deputies, made an
official declaration of the governments inten-
tlons with regard to Tonquin. This declaration
was partly in answer to an interrogatory put
forward by the Opposition, respecting the re-
tlrement of Gen. Campenon from the Ministry of
War. Gen. Campenon resigned this portfolio on
the sd inst, because, contrary to his advice,
the ministry persisted in the Tonquin invasion
He contended that the task was improbable
and unworthy the republic, which could not, he
argued afford to spare the 20 900 French soldiers
essential to success in that enterprise in view of
the European situation and the pressing neces-
s'ty for more perfect mobilization of the army
of France Gen. Campenons idea was that
this mobilization was the immediate and su.
preme duty of the hour, and that it should at
once be undertaken, with a view to
giving the republic an available mill
itary strength of three millions 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 NJ. Ferrys views, was at once in
stalled as Gen. Campenons successor.
Ferry went bluntly to the point at once. He
announced that the government intended imme-
diately to increase its energies in Tonquin, and
would not stop until it had occupied the entire
country up to the frontier of the Chinese en-
sation, and was received with cheers and consid-
cradle disapproval. Among the distinguished
ministers present to hear the ministerial
announcement, was Prince Hohenlohe,
German ambassador. NJ. Ferry continuing,
said the operations necessary tos proceed to the
conquest of Tonquin would in no way compro-
mise the French military strength at home, nor
interfere with the general mobilization. In say
ing this the Premier fortified himself with the
authority of General Lewal, than whom there
could be no military authority more respected
by France. There were 1000 900 men in the re-
public. the best soldiers in the world, ready to
march at moments notice in the cause of
France. Itwas impossible to longer keep the army
in Tonquin crouching Idly like hunters,
with their eyes fixed upon a single point that
was unworthy the army of France. That army
must be entirely occupied. The task was not
difficult. and would require but insignificant
mobilization.
Ferry's speech, besides producing a great
sensation in the Chambers when delivered, has
astounded Parisians generally, and made them
quite serious. The general impression it has
made may be described as bad People discuss
it as if they disliked to be forced to contemplate
the probability of trouble"