The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-30
His Intrenched Camp Captured by the En-
emy and Negrier Seriously Wounded
The French Also Lose Lang-Son.
Negrier'S Force in Full Retreat, and the
Chinese in Vigorous Pursuit.
Gen. De rIsle Calls Loudly for Reinforce
ments, and Says They Should Be Sent
at 0nce-NOteS by Cable.
A SERIOUS REVERSE.
The French Defeated at Lahg-Son-Fan OF
the Ministry Predicted.

The French Defeated at Lahg-Son-FaN OF
the Ministry Predicted.
PARIS, March 29-The Chinese forces gained
a victory over the French at LangSon on Fri
day They carried the key of the position and
the intrenchments, and the French troops re-
treated beyond Dong Dang They are falling
back on Long Kio. The French loss in men and
guns is unknown. The Chinese are estimated to
be SO, 900 strong. They menace the French lines
of communication with the south.
1t is reported in Paris that General Briere De
rIsle asks 10000 reinforcements. The French
reverses have increased the political excitement
in Paris The narrow majority obtained by the
government yesterday on the vote of confidence
leads to the expectation that the Ministry will be
defeated in the next Tonquin debate, and will
then resign. The Radical and Monarchist or
gans predict the early fall of Premier Ferry.
The following dispatch has been received from
General Briere de lIsle, dated Hanoi, March 3d.
~ regret to announce that General Negrier
has been severely wounded and Obliged to evacu-
ate Lang Son. The Chinese, in three large col
umns made an impetuOus attack our po
sitions before Kilua. Colonel Herbinger, in the
face of the superior numbers of the enemy and
tHe eAIauSCiOu OI MS dHlLuuulGOIl, was CDllScu
to retreat to Dong Dang and Thannoi. 1 am
massing my forces on the Chu and Kep roads.
If the enemy still increases in numbers. / shall
retire to Song Koi. Whatever happens, 1 hope
to be able to defend the whole delta. Please send
reinforcements as quickly as possible"
General de l'Ise. in his dispatch, adds: Gen
eral Negrier is at Dong Dang, and it is expected
he will recover. Holbert is with the column at
Thannoi The French occupied the position
without molestation from the Chinese. PrOvis
ions and ammunition are plentiful at Dong
Dang"
The kilograms maintain absolute silence re-
garding the French losses. The Cabinet has
decided to dispatch reinforcements to Tonquin
Immediately, and will ask, in the Chamber of
Deputies, credit of 0,OO0O00 half for the
Ministry of War and half for the Ministry of
Marine.
The Cabinet met at o'clock this evening.
Another meeting will be held in the morning.
The Journal des Debats says: France will
make the necessary efforts in behalf of her sons
in Tonquin. Reinforcements will be sent-not
to-morrow--but to-day. Tomorrow, however,
we shall see with whom the responsibility rests.
The Steele urges French expedition to Pekin,
and says Premier Ferry will make statement
in the Chamber of Deputies tomorrow.
It is officially announced that the Chinese
troops on the Tonquin and frontier yesterday
made desperate attack upon the entrenched
camp established by Gen. Negrier between
Lang Son and Kilu, and from which Gen.
Negrier has been making reconnoissances be-
yond the frontier separating Tonquin from
China proper. The Chinese drove the French back
beyond LangSon and captured that town.
During this series of fights General Negrier
was grievously wounded, and the French
casualties were very serious. The latest ac
counts represent the French troops in full
retreat with the Chinese vigorously pur
suing them. vast quantity of COM
missary and other stores was lost General
Negrier received gun-shot wound in the chest.
He was brought from the field but his recovery
is doubtful The total French loss in killed and
wounded is not yet known. General Briere de
PIsle. who is in chief command in Tonquin, tele-
graphs for assistance in an imploring tone. which
leads the Parsians to expect further disaster.
A council of war was held to-day with Gen
eral Lewal, Minister of War, presiding. Intense
excitement prevails wherever the bad news has
become known in France.
A report is in circua alton ton ght that General
Negrer has died from his wounds.