赟
Enclosure 1
188
AFFAIRS IN TONQUIN.
We translate the following from the Saigon to Independent of the 4th instant:-
Preparations are continued for the attacks on Baoninh and Sontay. Admiral Courbet has made various reconnaissances in order to ascertain the strength and the positions of the Chinese. In the direction of Sontay the reconnaissance was conducted by the Admiral in person and was made by water. The gunboat advanced to within four kilomètres of Sontay and exchanged several shots with the Chinese batteries, without any result, either on the one side or the other. The garrison of Sontay is estimated to number ten or fifteen thousand men,
On the Bao-ninh side two reconnaissances have been made, but were not pushed within a distance of eight kilomètres from the town. These reconnaissances were made from different directions, one by the Hanoi-Bacninh route and the other by the small Baeninh river, which debouches at Thaibinh and passes close to the town. Both detachments came across strong entrenchments and were received with a lively cannonade. As their mission was not to enter on an engagement they confined themselves to taking note of the enemy's positions and fell back in good order. According to such advices as it has been possible to get from the town of Bacninh, the walls have been repaired and the place is defended by excellent artillery consisting of the best Krupp guns obtainable from the Chinese arsenals. The artillery posts are rendered bullet-proof by works against which only siege and marine artillery could effectively operate. Outside the first enclosure are four others, the defences of which are carefully planned and well supplied with everything which the art of war could suggest in order to make the approaches of the town difficult. It is said that those outer lines of defence are flanked by a certain number of blind forts and casemates which will be difficult to take otherwise than by assault. The garrison comprises at least 15,000 men, all perfectly equipped and disciplined, and, wonderful to relate, so well behaved that they do not rob the neighbouring population.
LA
1474