The grand difficulty of M. Ferry's position is this. If
China .does not yield, he must send a large force to defend Tonquin, or a larger to threaten Pekin. He has not got such a force to send unless the Chamber votes war, and the necessary supplies and troops. The Colonial force, which he can dispose of without a vote, is overtasked, and General Campenon has said openly that he can part with only 6,000 men from the main Army. If he gives up more, he will so dislocate his regiments by draining them of the two-year men, that mobilisation will be made difficult. The Extremists already demand by formal memorial to President Gr6vy the meeting of the Chamber ; and it is doubtful, if it meets, whether the Deputies will vote war. The peasants do not like the consequent demands for money, or the slaughter of -conscripts, and they know little of China.
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