[Inclosure in No. 427.]
Mr. Seymour to Mr.
Young.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the
condition of affairs in Southern China is not altogether indicative of
tranquillity, although in the immediate vicinity of Canton everything
seems to be quiet. The two events which are of sufficient importance to
mention at the present time are the effects of the military operations
resulting in the capture of Bachninh by the French forces, and the
progress of the Chinese rebellion near Hwai Chow, in the eastern portion
of the province of Kwangtung, from both of which points full and
reliable information was this day received in Canton, although rumors
had reached here early in the week.
Bachninh was captured and occupied by the French forces on the evening of
Wednesday, 12th instant, without much of a conflict, the total losses of
both sides having been less than one hundred men, and about equally
divided.
From all accounts of a reliable nature it seems to have been an empty and
unexpectedly unimportant victory for the French, as the total population
at and about Bachninh, a week before its evacuation by the natives,
numbered over 25,000, all of whom have retired or retreated further into
the interior, the first stand being located at Thainquyen, with a more
remote and formidable point called Langson, toward which places the
French forces are understood to be slowly advancing.
The French flotilla, consisting of the Pluvier, Lynx, Léopard, Aspic,
Trombe, and and Caroline, and several launches and junks laden with
supplies, &c., found the river barricaded at Langson by stone and
sunken junks.
As a distance of 80 miles has to be traversed between Bachninh and the
nearest of the two places to which the hostile forces are moving, it is
obvious that the French incur the danger and inconvenience of operating
very far from their base of operations; but as the natives have not yet
manifested any ability to offer any resistance to the French forces,
except to impede navigation, possibly the progress of the latter will be
undisputed.
In the mean time there is every reasonable prospect that the Chinese
frontier may be the scene of occurrences which will ultimately bring the
French and Chinese armies into conflict, which must result disastrously
to the Chinese, whose regiments, encumbered with banners, pikes, poles,
and spears, and with inferior arms, and destitute of discipline, so far
as I could discern during their passage through Canton, are impotent
against well-disciplined soldiers of Europe or America.
When Sentai was captured by the French, the natives of Canton were made
to believe that the French had been mercilessly slaughtered immediately
after occupying that place; and last week Canton was assured and happy
over the prevalent rumor that the French had been enticed and entrapped
into Bachninh, and soon after the natives completely slaughtered their
invaders. * * * *
When it was reported that Bachninh had teen captured there was no great
excitement in Canton, and the general remark was, “We do not care, if
the French keep away from Canton.”
The rebels at and about Hwai Chow, in the eastern part of the province of
Kwangtung, are being re-enforced, the number of active rebels now
numbering about 10,000 men.
As yet the Government troops have not attacked the chief position of the
rebels.
On Sunday, 16th instant, at Pak Mong Fu there was a conflict, resulting
in the loss of 200 men and wounding Tang On Pang, the mandarin in
command of the Government forces.
The Hakka portion of the soldiers brought from Canton dispersed. The
attack on the rebels was made by soldiers from Funam.
The Triad Society, which is supposed to be helping the rebels, is rapidly
increasing in numbers, as the people of Southern China are convinced
there will be serious trouble.
The information regarding the troubles in the region of Hwai Chow is
derived from a very trustworthy German missionary. Rev. E. R. Eichler,
of the London mission, who has passed the last month in the vicinity of
the disturbances, and who returned to Canton this afternoon, via
Hong-Kong.
I am, &c.,
