Rumours, which are, however, as yet only rumours, are still
favourable to the rebels in South China. It is stated positively that twenty thousand regular soldiers, lately under the command of General Su, have deserted his army and joined the force levied by Tung-Ming, the leader of the insur- rection. Reinforcements have been demanded from Canton; but the Viceroy declares that, having regard to the attitude of the great city, he cannot deplete his force further, and he has asked assistance from Chih-li, where, however, the drilled troops raised by the Viceroy are already fully occupied. They are said not to exceed sixty thousand in number, and are required for the protection of the Court and the punishment of the brigands or insurgents who are showing themselves at different points in the North. This news would indicate a most serious situation were it not that the South is to a con-
siderable extent isolated, and that the movements of the masses in China, whether insurgent or loyal, are so singularly slow. The former are badly armed, they are rather brigands than soldiers, and every city proves a formidable obstacle. If, however, Canton is at last threatened, the Government must apply for European aid, and the whole Chinese question will be reopened in a formidable way. France looks upon Southern China as ber reversion.
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