The war between France and China appears to be drawing
very near. Admiral Conrbet has received his reinforcements. and very decided instructions, and the French Government fully hope to receive a telegram to-morrow announcing that he- lms taken Bacninh. At the same time, all accounts .agree stating that the Chinese Government has agreed to con- sider an attack on Bacninh as a declaration of war, and' has officially informed M. Ferry that it has decided upon that course. A secret decree has, moreover, been issued calling. out the militia in Soath-Western China for the defence of the Empire, and ordering that assistance should be given to the Black Flags, or Tonquinese. Opinion in Paris is repre- sented as earnest for war, but the Chamber is obviously uneasy,. and the reporter of the Committee which is considering the credit. for Tonquin is a man, N. Ribot, entirely opposed to war with China. M. Ferry, however, still disbelieves in the war, and trusts that the first victory will overawe the Cabinet of Pekin. He will be roughly undeceived, but we question if his dates are- right. Nothing moves quickly in Tonquin or any Asiatic delta, and we expect to hear for another week of repeated but ineffec- tual tentatives, preparatory to the grand attack.
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