2 AUGUST 1884, Page 3

It is not at all easy to make out how

the French quarrel with China is going to end. The Times of yesterday had an alarm- ing telegram from Foochow, to the effect that war is imminent, and that sailors were being landed from the English flagship for the defence of Foochow,—which is not very credible. Probably they are to defend the foreigners against Chinese panic. Accord- ing to the same report, China had refused to pay any indemnity, but France had not taken the refusal, and had prolonged the time within which the French would accept it. We are disposed to think that M. Ferry wishes to let China off very easily rather than go to war. But whether China is willing to be let off easily is another question.