New-York tribune., 1885-03-30
FRENCH FORCES DEFEATED.
VICTORY FOR THE CHINESE AT LANGsoN.
GRSERAL NEGRIER wOUNDED-A DEFEAT OF THE
MINISTRY EXPECTED IN PARIS.

GENERAL NRGRIER WOUNDED-A DEFEAT ihE
MINISTRY EXPECTED IN PARIS.
PARIS, March 29.-The Chinese forces gained a
victory over the French at Laugson on Friday.
They carried the key of the position and the en-
trenchments. The French troops retreated beyond
Dong s ong. They are falling back on the LOngkoi
The French loss in men and guns is unknown
The Chinese it is estimated are $4,000 strong
They menace the French lines of communication
with the South II is reported at Paris that General
Briere dc PIsle asks reinforcements to the number
of 2O, 900 men.
The French reverses have increased the political
excitement in Paris The narrow majority obtained
by the Government yesterday on the vote OF conh-
dence leads to the expectation that the Ministry
will be defeated in the next Tonquin debate and
will then resign The Radical and Monarchist
organs predict an early fall of Premier Ferry.
The following dispatch has been received from
General Brere de rIsle, dated Hanoi March 20. al
regret to announce that General Negrier has been
severely wounded and has been obliged to evacuate
Laugson. 7 he Chinese in three large columns made
an impetuOus attack upon our positions before
Kilua Colonel Herbnger in the face of superior
number of tine enemy. aud exhausted Vt ammuni-
tion, was obliged TO retreat to Dong Song and
Hanoi. | am amasslng forces on the Chn and kep
roads. If the enemy still increases shall retire to
Longkoi Whatever happens hope TO be able to
defeUd the whole delta. Please send reinforce
ments quickly as no sIble"
The Cabinet met at o'clock this evening.
Another meeting will be held at 3 o'clock to-mor-
The Journal des Debats says: "France will make
the necessary efforts III behalf of her sons in Ton
gum. ReinfOrcements will be sent not Tomorrow.
but to-day. Tomorrow, however. we shall see
with whom the responsibility rests" >,
The Steele urges French expedition to Pekn 1t
the Chamber of Deputies tomorrow.
PARIS, March 30.-General dc llsle in another
dispatch says: General Negrier IS at lIons
G. IL ata1 thnf ha will
Colonel Herbnger is with the column at
Thannot. The French evacuated their positions
without molestaiion from the Chinese. Provisions
and ammunition plentiful at Dong song The
mlliafy stores at Chu Will suffice Tor all the needs
OF The French
The telegrams maintain absolute silence regard
ing the French losses. The Cabinet has decided to
dispatch reluforcements to Ionquln immediately
and to ask IN tie chamber of Deputies to- day a
credit of $40, 600, 900, half for the Ministry OF
War and half for . he Ministry OF Marine.
NJ. Clemenceau has called meeting of the men,
bers of the Extreme Let for to-day to decide upon
their course. Several Deputies who support Premier
Ferry are in favor of plenary meeting of all the
republican groups.
report is in circulation tonight that General
NegTier has died from his wounds.
TIIE CAPTURE OF LANGsON.
Lo> Don. March 29.-A dispatch from Paris SAYS |:
1t is officially announced that the Chinese
troops on the Tonqurn frontier yesterday
made a desperate attack upon tho entrenched
camp which had been established by General
Neener between Lalgson and Kilua, and from
which General Negrier had been making re-
connoissances beyond the frontier separating
Tonqun from China proper. The Chinese drove
the French back to Langson and recaptured
t1at town. In this series of fights General
Negrier was grievousy wounded and the French
casualties were serious The latest accounts repre-
the French troops to be IN full retreat with the
Chinese vigorously pursuing them
stores has been lost. General
NegrIcr received gunshot wound in the chest.
lie was brought from the field but his recovery is
tor 'sfui. 'r6e total French loss in killed and
wounded is not vet known. General BreIre de Isle,
who is in chief command IN Torquin, telegraphs for
assistance in an nnplOrng tone, which leads the
ParsIans to expect further disasters. council of
war was held to-day with General Lewal, the Min
lister of War. pres ding Intense excitement pre-
walls wherever the bad news has become known in
France