The Rock Island Argus., 1885-03-31
The War Frenzy at Paris.


has been received from Gen Briere de
Isle, dated Hanoi. March 2S: "I regret to
announce that Gen Negrier has been Sc
verely wounded and obliged to evacuate
Langson The Chinese in three large col
umns made an impetuous attack upon our
positions before Kilua. Col Herbinger,
in the face of the superior num-
bers of the enemy, and exhausted
of ammunition, w@ obliged to retreat
to Dong Dang and Thannoi l am massing
my forces on the Chu and KEEP roads. If
the enemy still increases | shall retire to
Song Koi Whatever happens, hope to be
able to defend the whole delta. Please send
reinforcements as quickly as possible"
Gen. de LIsle in his dispatch says: "Gen.
Negrier is at Dong Dang. 1t is ex-
pected that he will recover. Col Her
binger is with a column at Thannoi.
The French evacuated their positions
without molestation from the Chinese.
Provisions and ammunition are plentiful at
Dong Dang. The military stores at Chu
will suffice all the needs of the French" Tho
kilograms maintain absolute silence regard
| ing the French losses.
Ii is stated that the Chinese numbered so,
900 men, and the victory appears to have
| been a decisive one for the Celestials. 1t is
thought the French loss was very heavy.
The city is in a ferment over rumors which
have been in circulation for the past twelve
| hours to the effect that war will be formally
| declared against China Immediately, and
| that an active and vigorous campaign, on a
much larger scale, in the latter country will
| be commenced at once The re-
| ports can not be traced TO any Off
| cial source, but it is believed that the
| ministry becoming alarmed at the over
| whelming defeat of the French at LangSon,
| and the closeness of the vote in the cham
| bers on Saturday, after debate on the Ton
| auin campaign, have determined to adopt
| more vigorous measures in dealing with the
Chinese The reports of an impending dec
laration of war have caused panic on the
hourse. The bourse opened weak, and there
was some vigorous unloading of securities
during the morning, resulting in a sharp de-
cline Rentes are depressed and show de-
cided falling. The Radical press publish all
sorts of violent articles against the ministry,
denouncng their policy, and accusing them
of utter incapability in the administration
of the nations affairs. They say that the
cabinet should be asked to resign forthwith,
and, refusing, should be impeached for dere
liction of duty. NJ Rochefort's paper,
EIntransigeant, characteristic for the bit
terness Of its attacks on the government:
Chinese policy, says: THE Ferry ministry
has gone from bad TO worse so rapidly thai
their further continuance in office would be
suicidal to the home and foreign interests ol
the country" The article concludes with
| h., Ial m ffa irf
and made to answer with his head for in
Vulnerable and inexcusable mistakes Of hi
administration.
The council Of ministers sat nearly al
Sunday night deliberating on the terms Of
the declaration to be made IN the Chamber
Monday. All the ministers are agreed tina
&c, 600 fresh troops must be sent at once Il
Tonguin, and these are to be seasoned
troops, not reservists. M Ferry is confden
that be will be able to command majorit.
by the declaration that in grave crisis re
, quiring that the national honor of France b
avenged all political shades should disaF
pear.
The council of ministers Monday wa
presided over by President Grevy in person
After an excited discussion, the council de
cided to ask the chambers for a credit Q
200, 600, 900 francs 100000 ,OO0.
LONDON, March 31.-A dispatch from
, Paris dated the S0th says:
At the present writing bowling mob ma
assembled in front of the chamber of dept
, ties. The crowd has repeatedly endeavore
5 to enter the building, but each time hav
) been driven back by a strong force Of mil
tary. In the chamber the scene is one Of th
! widest confusion and perfect pandemt
a | MUM prevails Members of the right ar
s fiercely attacking the government for !!
duplicity in keeping the country
i ignorance of the true state of affairs unit
! it could no longer lie kept back an
It until the few loyal sons of France sci
against the Chinese hordes had been sacr
!. feed The tulmult on the floor is greatly il
! tensi6ed by the occupants Of the CALLER!
: who loudly applaud every speech against Il
ministery, and interperse it with cries
@ResignP "Resignp "Down with the mi
: istry!" In the midst of the turmoil NJ. Ferl
= rose to announce the decision Of the counc
= of ministers held this mornin
He was greeted with stor
of hisses from all parts Of the chan
le Der. Silence was finally restored, but IL
" premier had no sooner concluded his remar
!. than the tumult broke out again. The rig
~ almost in body yelled "Down with Il
wretch"
'd Hardly had this utterance escaped the Ii
y of the former supporters of the governme
he than NJ Clemenceau, the chief leader of t
r Radicals was upon. his feet and pointil
In the direction of the right denounced the
W as traitors. The noisy scene was momentari
g brought to an end by a motion Of one of t
Of deputies that they at once proceed to a vC
ID ON the governments proposals, which W
adopted, and tine question put The resi-
as Of the vote showed that the proposals h
Of been rejected, and when the announ,
at ment was finally made, NJ. Ferry tender
ir his resignation and that of his colleagu
%. This wss greeted with wild and tunultuo
applause, and the chamber was cleared.
~