The rebellion in China is believed to be on the
verge of 'suppression. Indeed, it was supposed on Saturday to be sup- pressed, the Chinese Government announcing that the troops sent by Li Hung Chang had encountered the rebels, had defeated them with a slaughter of six hundred men, and had reoccupied the captured city of Chaoyang. Telegrams also arrived declaring that the movement had been absurdly magnified, and was only of importance because of the feeble- ness of Pekin. Finally, the usual accounts were received of numerous decapitations, and the dismissal of the Mandarin who had made a treaty with the insurgents. On Tuesday, however, the Chinese Legation in Paris were informed by -telegram that, although the Imperial troops had gained a victory, they were only marching on Chaoyang, "which is in the occupation of the rebels." It appears probable that the Government soldiers have gained advantages, but that many districts are in insurrection, and that any local success is described as final, or at least as -ensuring the dispersion of the rebels. Meanwhile, every private letter from China mentions the extent and depth of the discontent with the dynasty, though its pre- cise causes are nowhere reasonably explained. The great one, we suspect, is the weakness of the central authority, which leaves the people at the mercy of officials whose first object is to amass fortunes.
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