On Friday evening a number of French man-of-war sailors, filled with valour and liquor, were guilty of very riotous conduct while ashore on leave in the French Concession. It appears that there were ume English men-of-war's men at the Clyde" public house on the Yangkingpang enjoying themselves after their fashion, dancing and singing, when some French sailors went ut" the place, called for some drinks and sat down at n table by themselves, The English Jacks appear to have objected to the presence of the strangers and after a time ejected them, The Frenchmen were joyed at this treatment and went away vowing vengeance. A number of their comrades were in the other public houses and were soon informed of what had happened. They then went in a body to the "Clyde" where they found about " dozen English sailors. A free fight followed, and the attacking party, to the number of about fifty, were soon masters of the situation. The English Jacks got away, some being kicked out into the street, while others found an easier way of leaving the barroom of the "Clyde." The aggressora then Fcommenced to demolish everything they could reach; the tables were broken to pieces and the legs apparently used us battering rams with which to smash the rest: of the furniture and fix Every pane of glass was smashed into small pieces, the bar was entirely; wrecked, and the liquors (or us much xs the rioters had not drunk) spilt on the ground, While the work of destruction was going on, the sailors sang trauge and helped themselves tothe liquor The clock, with the fice smashed in, stopped at 9.25 p.m, A fine oil pxintin; lad a fow holes in it from stray shots with tumblers and other missiles, while the commoner pictures hanging on the walla were also damaged, The stove was broken and the floor was covered with tiny pieces of glass which had come from the windows and pictures, while " large mirror was broken into little bits. The occupants of the house wisely hid themselves, the mistress locking herself up in one of the upper ome, while another woman hid herself beind a coal basket. In their mad fury, the sailors tried to pull down the gus fittings, but fortunately somebody dissuaded them from this Having executed their vengeance on the place, they left, but as they did not pear to have been satisfied, they con-their amusement in the street, knocking down all who were unfortunate euugh to gat in thole ways although the vietia had nothing whatever to do with the "Clyde" or its occupants. Jinricshas were overturned and people in them rolled in the dust. A gentleman who was returning to. the English Settlement by way of the Kiangse Road bridge and had not been near the "Clyde," was set upon, and left in the road insensible with his face covered with blood. They also. met solitary English man-of-war's men and brutally assaulted him, A French police officer and twenty-two constables appeared on the scene after a time, but made no arrests; for the sailors, having been satisfied with their work, had left the place, On Saturday morning a report was made to M. Wagner, Consul-General for France, who communicated with Commander Thou-nons, Captain of the Villars, and they both' visited the scene of the previous night's exploits of the sailors, We have not heard the result; but there is no doubt that the marauders will be punished. Our representative was told that when the French sailors made the assault, some of them-were armed with choppers, though if such was the case, it is a puzzle to learn where they obtained them. " Friday was the anniversary of St. Barbara, the patroness of French sailors, and this accounts for 80 many French men-of-war's men being on shore.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.