France and China.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 255, 24 September 1884, Page 2

France and China.

(Per Mail Steamer.) The Paris correspondent of the London Times on August 28th/says M . Ferry m a private interview complained with much vehemence of the strictures of the Times regarding Coi libel's conduct at.Foouhow. The " French Pre?s," he said, <c showed no such spirit when England bombarded Alexandria; The .English Press by edging China on is aiding against Europeans, the confidence it gives the Chinese may, next be turned against England. Commercial nations are naturally uneasy at our action, jbttt onceresol ved on redressjwe must use blows that "will tell." Ferry disavowed a policy ot colonial conquest, "My whole duty," he declared, ■" is to finish an enterprise originally ill-conceived and ill-maniged, "We want a peaceful occupation of Tonquin, and want to enforce on China the respect she owe* to us. European interests need not be alarmed "at this. We are actj ing for the civilised world." The American papers generally condemn the French . operations against China. The New York Trij bnne of August 29th, quoting Ferry's I declaration^ Bays- the civilised world does not appear to relish very. much being acted for m this* way. The j Times remarks: "Ferry had better have j remained silent than v to have said I this." The Herald deprecates Admiral,. j Courbct'K success, and says he may seize Foochow, but he is not likely to I effi-ct wore than the allies effected m 1858 by seizing Canton 1 . Naval officei-sj %ho have been interviewed, generally agree that, thorfgh • the French may make short work with the sea coast, they cannot make much progress inland. Captains of vessels iv the China trade report that the Chinese have been pi'cparing for a long time against foreign invasion, and; will make a stout resistance. They "all unite m condemning the French aggreaion, as- causeless and brutal.