14° FRANCE, ANNAM, AND CHINA. 



Thomson was superseded by M. Harmand as Civil Administrator, 

 but in consequence of differences arising between them, on Oct. 22, 

 1883, General Bouet was recalled, and Admiral Courbet was 

 appointed to take the sole direction of affairs. 



De Freycinet was succeeded by the Government of M. Duclerc, 

 but it was a short-lived Administration, as it ruled in a stormy 

 period, arising out of the pretensions of Prince Napoleon, which 

 forced the Government to take legislative action against the various 

 pretenders to the Throne, and in the beginning of 1883 M. Duclerc 

 was succeeded by M. Fallieres, who held the dual position of 

 Premier and Foreign Minister. 



In 1883 the Ministry of M. Fallieres resigned, arising from the 

 defeat in the Senate, which rejected the Expulsion Bill directed 

 against the Orleanist Princes, and Jules Ferry for a second time was 

 called upon to form an Administration, taking the position of 

 Premier, whilst Challemel-Lacour became Foreign Minister. 



In Annam quarrels arose between the military and naval authori- 

 ties, and M. Harmand was superseded by M. Champeaux, whose 

 limit of authority was restricted to Annam, whilst Admiral Courbet 

 was entrusted with unfettered control in Tonquin. 



In 1884 the Foreign Minister, Challemel-Lacour, resigned, and 

 Jules Ferry combined the two offices of Premier and Foreign Affairs. 

 His first step was to change the officials in the East, for he 

 removed Admiral Courbet from the Tonquin command, and 

 appointed General Millot ; whilst M. Champeaux, the Civil Adminis- 

 trator in Annam, was replaced by M. Tricon ; and before the close of 

 1884 M. Tricon was superseded by M. Patenotre, and General 

 Millot by General Briere de Lisle. 



In 1885 the Government of Jules Ferry, after having remained in 

 power two years and one month, were defeated on the vexed question 

 of the Tonquin war, the military reverse of General Dugenne 

 before Langson causing great excitement, and a revulsion of feeling 

 against Jules Ferry that forced him to resign, and he was succeeded 

 by Henri Brisson as Premier, and in Foreign Affairs by De 

 Freycinet. 



Jules Ferry was not responsible, for the disaster at Langson for, as 

 it subsequently proved, it was the error of General Briere de Lisle, 

 who was in supreme command, and accordingly, the Govern- 

 ment of Henri Brisson recalled him, and appointed General de 

 Courcy to succeed him, but with considerably enlarged powers in 

 civil and miUtary affairs. 



