450

COCHIN-CHINA-SAIGON

The imports of Cochin-China and Cambodia combined amounted in 1897 to 51,922,684 francs, of which 20,825,931 francs were of French origin, and the exports to 94,691,087 francs. The quantity of rice exported in 1897 was 10,555,804 piculs, and in 1898 11,277,770 piculs. The number of vessels of all nations that cleared from Saigon during the year 1898 was 351, of 443,655 tons; adding the steamers of the Messageries Maritimes, Messageries Fluviales, and the Compagnie Nationale, the total is 541 vessels, and 714,875 tons. The British flag accounts for 156 vessels, of 215,735 tons, or about half of the tonnage employed.

SAIGON

Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a branch of the Donai, in lat. 10 deg. 50 min. N., and long. 104 deg 22 min. E. It is about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone a very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, &c. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and thoroughfares being broad and regular. Amongst the public buildings Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of franes have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the new Palace of the Lieutenant-Governor, the new and handsome Post Office on the Place de la Cathédrale, the Custom House, the "Direction de l'Intérieur," the Treasury, the Land Office, Public Works Department, the Schools, and the Supreme Court. Military Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks, and Artillery Parc. There is also a stately Gothic Cathedral of large proportions. A fine bronze statue of Gambetta stands in the Boulevard Norodom, Saigon has two public gardens, the "Jardin de la Ville," which is maintained at the expense of the Municipality, and the Botanical Garden. There is good docking accommodation, the Bassin de Radaub being one the finest docks in the world, capable of receiving the largest men-of-war, and there are two floating lifts. There are two steam rice mills. The population of Saigon in 1897 was 32,561 (exclusive of the Naval and Military forces, about 1,200 to 1,500 men). The French population numbers 1,753 and other Europeans 207.

The

The M. M. steamers call twice a month at Saigon on their homeward and outward trips. Easy communication is afforded with the principal towns of the interior by subsidized mail steamers, and there is a railway to Mytho. All the principal towns of Cochin-China possess telegraphic communication, and a submarine cable unites the colony with Singapore, Hongkong, Haiphong, &c. The postal organization of the Colony is very complete and efficient; correspondence can be sent daily to almost all parts of the country. The Journal Officiel is published twice a week, and there are usually one or two other journalsipublished, but they frequently change their titles, and lead a spasmodic existence. The Gia-dinh-bao is the native issue of the Journal Officiel.

DIRECTORY

GOUVERNEMENT GÉNÉRAL DE L'INDO-CHINE

Gouverneur-Général, PAUL DOUMER (ancien Ministre des Finances)

CABINET

Chef de Cabinet-L. Faure, *

Chef adjoint-

Chef du Secrétariat particulier- Attaché au Cabinet--

BUREAU POLITIQUE

Chef-Valentin

Commis-Dutertre, Brun

BUREAU ADMINISTRATIF

Chef-Bellauf, archiviste

Commis-Ferrand, Jourdan, Serres

DIRECTION DE L'AGRICULTURE ET DU COMMERCE

Chef-Capus

Chef-adjoint-Brenier

Commis-Abriac, Martin

REMINGTON TYPEWRITER, 327 Broadway, New York, U. S. A.

Page 910Page 911

ROUTE

TOUTE

Chemin

wek TRAMWAY

Plaine des Tombeaux

EQUQUE

de fer de Mytho

ALLANT

CHỜ LON

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