SHOCKING ATROCITIES IN ANAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7533, 9 April 1886, Page 3

SHOCKING ATROCITIES IN ANAM.

The latest news from Anam states that the province of Binh Dinh Fok is far from being pacified, and fighting is still going on in the immediate vicinity of the town. The King's troops were burning several villages defended by Catholic Anamites. The French forces were still, following Sayet and the young king, who fled from the capital after the night attack on the French troops at Hue, but had so far failed to find them... The whole country is in the utmost disorder. The rebels, although much less feared individually than the Chinese, on account of their inferior arms, are formidable on account of their-great number, and some actually possess quick-firing rifles, which they use well. They have a number of Chinese auxiliaries. A letter dated the 25th February says:—"The war here is marked by unheard-of atrocities. Catholics and Pagans rival each other in ferocity, and one might fancy that one was living in the time of the Crusades lhey rob and murder with equal warmth, -wf^u •"?• tely been a "^ssacre at Langson of Ji >U Christians—men, women, and children—none being spared. The missionary, Father Scotrie, was struck by several bullets, and succumbed to his wounds; and his flock, deprived of his direction, were pursued into a redoubt and compelled to surrender at discretion. A French column arrived three days after the massacre. The bodies of the men were thrown into the river An immense trench contained tbe bodies of .300 women and children horribly mutilated, lhe I'rench column had at least the satisfaction ot taking the citadel from the rebels, who were aided by Chinese, spiking 60 pieces of canon and seizing a considerable quantity of powder and material." *