FRANCE AND CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4545, 18 November 1884, Page 4

FRANCE AND CHINA.

Heavy Fighting With Varied Kesults. London, October 12.—The correspondent of the " Times " telegraphs that the news of the defeat Of Admiral Lespes and the French fleet at Tamsui is confirmed. The Chinese, by hiding in. the brushwood, suffered some 600 of the French force to land nnd come within easy range of their guns before thoy appeared. The Chinese General, Tso, then led the attack upon the rear of the French, and the troops became panic stricken. The Chinese killed seventy men and captured one gun. They also beheaded twenty-two French corpses, but desisted from that horrible work upon a protest from the British Consul. The Chinese loss was 200 killed and wounded. The fighting lasted five hours, at the end of which time the French retired to their ships. London, October-14.—A speck of war is found in the communications which have passed between England and France in regard to stopping and searching of English vessels on the Chinese coast for contraband war material. It is said England protested against the orders given to the French commanders of war vessels, and that the correspondence between the English and French Cabinets is getting warmer than is warranted by ordinary diplomatic courtesy. It is known that England demanded a searching inquiry as to the circumstance of overhauling English steamci-R and a casus belli may be established if it is ascertained that goods innocently exported by Englishmen have been seized.

Hongkong, October 14.—Admiral Courbet is reenforcing the French squadron beforo Tamsui, Formosa, and preparing to renew the attack upon that town. He has sent Admiral Lespes back to Kelung. Paris, October 15.—General De Lisle tele graphs from Chu, on the upper LOochuan, as follows: "Colonel Donniter, after the engagementtin Friday, carried the heights commanding the Fortress of Chu, forming the point d'appni of a large, intrenched • Chinese camp, which wus defended by casemated forts. The Chinese forces were very large. Their loss during the engagement was heavy. On Saturday they attempted to assume the offensive, but our artillery strewed the ground with Chinese bodies. After leaving all their position's the Chinese Bed towards Langson, halting near Phu.ruing and Khauh.' The French loss was twenty men and one officer killed: ninety men and two officers wounded. Our troops were animated with tho greatest ardour. The Chinese engaged were part of the best troops of the empire, perfectly armed and manoeuvred in the European style. The Chinese loss was 3,000 killed, including their chief commander. The Chin*ise invasion oi Tonquin has been arrested irl the direction of Langson." ;'';'.. Paris, October 17.— Fresh forces of Chinese are invading Tonquin. General Briere Dcrisio telegraphs that there are many European officers in the Chinese army. The "Figaro" saya the Chinese force defeated at Chu was only a column of the left wing of the army invading Tonquin. It explains tho slaughter of 3000 Chinese by the fact that no quarter was given or' ,taken.a.nd no prisoners taken. The right column, which is passing along the river Songeau, is directed against Hong Hoa. The" Intransigent" asserts that of the 10,000 French soldiers in Tonquin only 4,000 are .effective. It declares that the Chinese invasion, if not arrested, threatens to overwhelm the French, and it is necessary that not a mere reinforcement, but an army be sent to. their assistance. Three thousand reinforcements, with stores, will leave Toulon for Tonquin within a fortnight. Berlin, October 19.—A dispatoh has been received at the Chinese Embassy confirming the statement that the Chinese, uuder Lin Ming Chuan, defeated 1,800 French at Tamsui on the 15th inst. The French operations there were frustrated by torpedoes. London, October 19.—The "Times'"^ Peking correspondent is informed that the French commanders, if ordered to march on Peking, will ask for a complete corps d'armee of 40,000 men ot all branches of the service, 2 pontoon trains, 8,000 horses, 12 Held guns, floating and shore hospitals for 8,000 men, and a number of light-draught gunboats. The Paris correspondent of the "Telegraph " states that the court at Peking has Offered, through the. Washington Government, to pay S.OOO.OOOdoIs. to compensate the French for .heir loss, not as owning to an error, but in ordor to smooth the way for a settlement. The correspondent says Ferry has considered the pffer too small. America is so satisfied with China's attitude, which she regards as worthy of defence, that Frelinghuysen has declared his inability to understand the reluctance Of France to an amicable settlement of tbe difficulties.