A private telegram of a serious kind has been received
from China, and published in the Times. The writer, supposed to be the head of one of the greatest houses, believes that, with the recall of M. Bourree, the French Minister at Pekin, the hope of peace has passed away. The Chinese will now defend Anam, and the French will find themselves engaged in a long and costly war, in which they must employ considerable forces. The impression at Pekin, we believe, was that M. Bourree was in favour of a forward policy, but he may have patched up Ton- quinese affairs in a way that M. Challemel-Latour disapproves. At all events, it is evident that Minister intends t, risk an encounter with China. It is simply impossible that a diplomatist of some experience, responsible for Foreign Affairs, should have gratuitously affirmed in the Senate that he must attack Anam because its ruler acknow- ledged Chinese suzerainty, unless he meant to set Pekin at defiance. The suzerainty is a fact of centuries, and the* Empress-Regent must now either defend her vassal, or cede Anam to a European Power. There is little doubt among those who know China that the first serious resistance to the French in Tonquin will be offered by Chinese Regulars, and that the expedition now arriving will consequently be found insufficient for its work.
