Poor M. Ferry The French Premier has just obtained his
second " credit " for Tonquin, about one-twelfth of what he really wants, and is waiting anxiously for news from Bacninh, when he hears than Anam itself has risen behind Admiral Courbet. A hint from Pekin has emboldened the anti-foreign party in Hue to poison the French nominee Tiep-hoa, to set up another King, and to declare formal war on France. As the French have only 500 marines in Hue, the effect of this rising is to compel them to reconquer Anam Proper, to throw heavy though
inefficient bodies of guerrillas upon the rear of Admiral Courbet, and to legalise all Tonquinese resistance. The Black Flags are now Anamese troops, whereas they were Anamese rebels, a fact which makes this difference,—that they will be well instead of ill supplied. The French Cabinet speaks of further reinforcements for Hue, but practically everything waits for Admiral Courbet, who is still finishing his preparations. If his object is Bacninh, be has an ugly march of many miles—twenty, we believe—along a narrow causeway through the rice-fields, which may be cut in a dozen places, or rendered nearly impass- able. If, on the contrary, his object is Sontay, his work may be easier ; but he will still have Bacninh to take, before he can claim a success sufficient to extricate M. Ferry.
