The great debate in the French Chamber upon M. Ferry's
Colonial policy ended last night, but too late for us to hear the result. It was understood that M. Ferry would have a majority, the Opportunists still adhering to his policy as essentially that of M. Gambetta. M. Clemencean, however, received the sup- port of all Radicals, in a severe attack on the Premier's Chinese policy, which he characterised as futile, the true alter- natives being peace or a march upon Pekin. M. Ferry made an able speech, hampered by an obvious conviction that the country would not approve war with China ; and though warmly applauded for his resolution to keep Tonquin, was half-hearted about both the indemnity—which he once gave up—and the lease of Formosa, as an alternative for it. He denied abso- lutely the reports of disaster in Tonquin, but admitteciconstant attacks by Chinese troops ; and refused to explain anything as to English mediation. The general effect of his speech is that he would accept peace if he were sure of Tonquin. All Reaction- aries declared against him, except Bishop Freppel, who, like the Pope, has to think of the multitudes of Roman Catholic ludo- Chinese, who are massacred on the average every ten years by four or five thousand at a time.
