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when among the mountains at a distance from Langson. According to the Chinese account, however, the French were the attacking body. The Chinese Government admit that their garrisons on the Tonquin frontiers have not been withdrawn, and say they have no intention of recalling them until the definitive treaty has been signed. But the Tientsin Convention expressly provided for the "immediate" withdrawal of the Chinese garrisons in Tonquin; and no doubt it will be on this ground that the French will base their demand for reparation. The memorial presented by 8ome of the Consors protesting against the Conven- tion, and impeaching Lr HUNG-CHANG, shows that there is a powerful anti-French party at Peking, who do not care to conceal their desire for war. Whether this memorial and the efforts of the War Party have succeeded in shaking the Viceroy of Chibli's influence at Peking or not we are unable to say, but it is evident at all events that the Chinese preparations for war, never relaxed even after the signature of the FOURNIER Convention, are being actively pushed for- ward. Troops are being sent down to Can- top and Formosa, and a further reinforce- ment has lately been landed in Hainan. The new Viceroy of the Two Kwang is said to
be strongly anti-foreign, a statement borne out by his antecedents, and be will shortly arrive to take up his post armed with compre hensive powers with regard to coast defence, Yet, though the outlook is decidedly gloomy, and the prospects of peace appear seriously endangered, we do not despair of some modus vivendi being arrived at by M. PATENÔTRE and LI HUNG-CHANG. But the latter has great difficulties to contend against, and if the French Minister pushes the claim to a gigantic indetanity it will be impossible for the Viceroy of Chilli even, however desirous he may be to save his country from the hor rors of war, to induce the Grand Council to give way.
LI HUNG-CHANG may be said to be between the hammer and the anvil; on the one hand, the French Minister with his charges of broken faith, on the other the Chinese war party with furious reproaches of a betrayal of his country's interests, Per. haps at this critical juncture the mediation of a neutral power might be successfully in- voked.
near
be hoped that the fighting Langson will prove to have been caused by a misunderstanding
on the part of the local Chinese____ Commander; who, in that ease,
may probably expiate his error with his head. It remains to be
seen whether the French will be content without a money
indemnity also. They are evidently
bent on
making
a naval
demonstration in the North
of
China; for Admirals Courbet and
4.
On the whole, it is to
be
Lespès have bott
gone
north from
Hongkong
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