1232
COCHIN-CHINA
In the chief towns of each province there is a citadel sufficiently garrisoned, and numerous military posts in the interior maintain and watch over the security of the inhabitants. The Annamites are a race devoted principally to agriculture; they are not so industrious as the Chinese and are indifferent traders. The Chinese have the largest proportion of the trade in their hands.
The whole of the French possessions are now comprised under the title of Indo-China. and consist of the Colony of Cochin-China the protectorates of Tonkin, Laos, Annam and Cambodia, and the leased territory of Quoang-tschou-wan, and are under the control of a Governor-General, who usually resides in Tonkin. The Government of Cochin-China is administered by a Lieutenant-Governor, who is assisted by a Privy Council composed of all the Heads of Departments as official members and several unofficials. The Colonial Council of Cochin-China, some of the members of which are elected by the residents, consists of sixteen members, six of whom are natives. In the various arrondissements. moreover, councils have been introduced composed entirely of natives. The towns of Saigon and Cholon are ruled by Municipal Councils, the inembers of which bodies are partly French and partly native. The Chamber of Commerce at Saigon is also an official body elected by the merchants and traders; formerly it was composed of French, foreigners, and Chinese, but in 1896 its constitution was altered and it is now an exclusively French body.
The population of Cochin-China by the 1901 census was 2,968,529, of whom 4,323 were French (exclusive of the white troops, which were put down at 3,536 men).
Following on irrigation works a great number of concessions have been granted especially in 1899 and 1900, by the Colonial Council of Cochin-China, some to villages, some to settlers. The fields granted to European settlers are only taxed according to their progress, commencing by one-fifth at the end of the fifth year, to which is added another one-fifth at the end of each of the following four years. The Conseil Supérieur, in November, 1900, adopted the following works to improve Saigon Harbour:-1. A quay 1,091 metres (3,578 feet) long on the right bank of the river. This quay will permit the mooring of nine vessels of 120 metres (393 feet) long 2. A series of warehouses 25 metres (82 feet) broad and 969 metres (3,178 feet) long, thus making a total surface of 24,225 square metres (260,611 square feet). 3. Railroads in front and at the back of the warehouses. The line of railway leading thereto will be connected with the Mytho and Cholon Railways. 4. About 20 buoys will be established on the left bank of the river, and vessels will be moored on that side as they are now on the right bank. 5. A bridge, level with the ground, will be built in continuation of the street called Rue d'Adran. The total expenses to be incurred for the improvements projected were estimated at f.10,394,000 (£415,760), Several of these improvements have been completed. A postal line of French steamers has been established between Bangkok and Singapore, with a subsidy from the Govern- ment of Indo-China.
SAIGON
Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a tributary of the Donnai, 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 the Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the Palace of the Lieutenant-Governor, the handsome and imposing 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, the Supreme Court and the "Hotel de Ville," (Town Hall) the cost of which was over Francs 2,000,000. The Military Hospital is a fine and handsome building, as are also the Arsenal, Barracks,