Directory_and_Chronicle_1894

CAMBODIA

Cambodia, or the kingdom of the Khmer, as it is called by the natives, extends from 101 deg. 30 min. to 104 deg. 30 min. longitude, and from 10 deg. 30 min. to 14 deg. latitude. It was reduced to its present proportions in 1860 by the annexation of its two richest provinces, Angcor and Battambang, to Siam. Its area is about 62,000 square miles. It is bounded on the south-west by the Gulf of Siam, on the south- east by Cochin-China, on the north by the Laos, and on the north-west and west by Battambang and Angcor. The noble river Meikong flows through the kingdom, and after passing through Cochin-China, empties itself, by a number of mouths, into the sea. The Meikong is the grand waterway of Cambodia, and, like the Nile in Egypt, lays the greater part of the country under water annually, greatly increasing its fertility. The soil of Cambodia is rich and productive, and rice, pepper, indigo, cotton, tobacco, sugar, maize, and cardamoms are cultivated. Coffee and spices of all sorts could be grown. Among woods, ebony, rose, sapan, pine, iron, and other valuable sorts exist, no less than eighty different kinds of timber being found in the forests. Iron of good quality has been discovered, and it is affirmed that there are gold, silver, and lead mines in the mountains. The fisheries of Cambodia are very productive, and salt fish forms one of the chief articles of export.

Cambodia was once an extensive and powerful state, and proofs that it possessed a much higher civilisation than now prevails are to be found in the architectural remnants of former grandeur. The noble ruins of the ancient city of Angcor are monuments of a people much superior to the feeble race which now inhabits Cambodia. The Cambodians differ entirely from their neighbours the Annamites, both in features and customs. Polygamy is practised among them. The prevailing religion is Buddhism. The people are apathetic and indolent, and have allowed the trade to fall into the hands of Chinese. The entire population of the kingdom in 1886 was 800,000, of which number 300,000 are Annamites, Chinese, etc. There are about 140 French exclusive of the troops. Slavery was abolished by the French Treaty of 1884.

The Government of Cambodia is a monarchy, under French protection. The present King, Somdach Pra Maha Norodom, succeeded his father King Ang Duong in 1860. In June, 1884, King Norodom signed a new treaty with France by which the administration of the country is handed over to French Residents.

Phnom penh, the present capital of Cambodia and seat of the Government, is situated on the river Meikong, nearly in the heart of the kingdom. The king's palace is a large building, and the portion devoted to his use is built and furnished in European style. Attached to the Palace, and inside the Palace walls, are the Hall of Justice, Audience Rooms, Treasury, Armoury, and some steam workshops and magazines. The workshops are superintended by European engineers, and a European has charge of the public works. Phnom penh is improving under the present rule. Some good roads have been made, and brick houses are gradually superseding less durable structures. The French Resident-General has a handsome residence in the city. The population of Phnom-penh is estimated at 30,000.

Trade at present is limited, and the country generally is entirely undeveloped. It is practically shut out from foreign commerce, and has no seaports of any importance. The port of Kamput can only be frequented by small coasting native vessels from Siam and by Chinese junks. A railway from Saigon to Phnom-penh has been projected, but is at present in abeyance.

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