13 SEPTEMBER 1884, Page 1

According to the best accounts, M. Ferry still refuses to

summon the French Chambers and ask for heavy votes of men and money for a Chinese war. He believes that "the policy of reprisals" will yet bring China to her knees. It is stated, on semi.official authority, that Admiral Courbet is only waiting at the mouth of the Min for ammunition, and that when he has received it he will strike some daring blow long since pre- pared. It is assumed that this blow will not be directed at either Hainan or Formosa, as the Government of Pekin is care- less about its islands ; but will be levelled either at Canton or Shanghai. The Chinese are, therefore, blocking the entrances to all great ports, to the dismay of traders, and entering Tonquin, where the Generals are officially stated to be in straits for troops, owing to the departure of large bodies of time. expired men. On the other hand, it appears certain that the great Departments in Paris distrust M. Ferry's policy, and that his Cabinet is not united, the Ministers of War and Marine pleading strongly for a regular campaign. He retains his ascendancy for the present ; but on the smallest disaster the majority will call him to strict account for entering on a great war without previous authorisation.