The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-09
WAR AND RuMoRs OF WAR.


The French Excited Over Their Defeat
Resignation of the Ministry-The North
west Troubles-The Central American
War.
PARIS, March S1.-At the opening of the
session in the Chamber of Deputies yes
terday Prime Minister Ferry presented
the Governments request for credit of
$40. O0D, 900 on account of military opera
tons in China. He al once moved for the
appointment of committee to examine and
report upon the credit, and he demanded
that his motion be given the priority. Prior
to the vote Oh the motion to appoint COM
mittee on credit, Ferry read yes
terday's dispatches regarding the
LangSOn affair. He added: ''The
retreat of the French has been ef-
fected i'll perfect order. The troops found
themselves confronted by Chinese forces
whose numbers 1t had been impossible TO
fOresee. The French Generals have been
obliged to re-enter the Red River delta and
maintain the defensive. Tie measures al
ready taken to reinforce the French troops
at TOnquin will not suffice. 1t is necessary
to avenge the LangSon check for the honor
OF France. VI. Ferry therefore demanded
credit of $40, 1000, 900, and he proposed a
separate vote on this credit from the min
isterial question. He was frequently in
terupted. Clemenceau approved the
credit, but condemned the policy OF
the Government and demanded its
"TerthrOw. DuvOl and RibCrt de-
clared that they would be ready to vote for
any sacrifices when the Ministry was over
thrown. They reproached the Cabinet for
concealing the truth. The motion was re-
jected by vote of sos to 16l. NJ. Ferry
Immediately announced the resignation of
the entire Ministry. President Grevy at
once accepted the designations. Taisant
and De Ia FOsse demanded the impeach-
ment of the Ministry and De Ia FosSe de
manded urgency for motion to that effect.
This was, however, rejected, 1854 to 161.
FRENCH LOSSES.
PARIS, March 31.-The losses of General
NegrieT'S force are estimated at 1900 men.
General Negrier was wounded in the breast
by bullet, and one of his aids de-camp.
Col. Berge received bullet wound in the
head. The GdltiOis says One-fOurth of the
whole effective French force at LangsOn,
was left on tine battle field. A hundred
thousand Chinese troops are advancing on
Chus, and threaten to destroy the French
forces there, before the chance of being re-
inforced. General GiOvanneIli is en-
trenched at Phu DhOan. He is also
in critical position, being surrounded
and the line of retreat cut off
by 1900 black flags. a Cabinet Minis
ters fall was never more ignOminious than
that of Ferry. He was posted and
branded as liar and traitor. The Presi-
dent made no attempt to stop the use of
these epithetS. Frequent cries of Turn
him Out!' were directed against the Prime
Minister and the greatest uproar prevailed
throughout the sitting. After the resigna-
ton of the Ferry ministry, President Grevy
asked Henri Brisson, President of the
Chamber of Deputies, to form Il Cabinet.
BrissOn declined The President then
asked De Freycinet to form Cabinet. He
asked twenty-four hours to reply.
The excitement caused by the French de
feat at Lang Son grows apace- Rentes al
once responded to the popular feeling, and
soon after the opening of the bOurse they
had fallen from so francs 321G centimes, the
closing price of Saturday, to rs francs 20
centimeS.