as the English have already established themselves in Judaea Proper. I may report that French Officers of high rank, have remarked, in half jest and half earnest, on the perverseness of the English in not acknowledging that, in this as in other cases,
Imitation is the highest flattery
I have the honor to be
My Lord
your Lordship's most obedient
humble Servant
5. Bowen
Enclosure
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, MAY 15th, 1884.
WITH the capture of Hung-hoa French military operations in Tonquin have for the season practically terminated. The Saigon newspaper of the 24th April makes an announcement to this effect, which also agrees with the opinion expressed a short time ago by our special correspondent in Tonquin. The rains will necessarily render a farther advance into the mountainous districts of the north extremely difficult, and General MILLOT has wisely determined to devote his attention for the present to the pacification of the delta, now in the hands of the French. There is plenty of work in this direction to engage French energies until next autumn. Piracy is rampant along all the rivers and creeks, and the pirates will have to be suppressed before anything like order and security can be established. The fortified positions won by the French troops—Sontay, Bacninh, Thai Nguyen, Hung-hoa, &c.—will have to be properly garrisoned and rendered impregnable to attack, otherwise Chinese troops may yet swarm down from Yunnan and attempt to retake them. The country will need to be pacified, and judicious efforts should be made to show the Tonquinese that they will really gain materially by their change of masters. The excesses of some of the French auxiliaries have served to inspire dread of the new-comers, whom the Tonquinese have in many cases come to look upon as enemies rather than deliverers. It should be the aim of the French authorities to correct this unfortunate impression, and establish in the minds of the natives full confidence in the ability and desire of the new masters of Tonquin to enforce law and to protect the meanest coolie from insult or wrong. Unless this is done, disaffection will grow, and soon deepen into a burning resentment which will bide a favourable opportunity for its display. The Tonquinese are a weak race, with slender capacities for resistance, perhaps, but they might, in the event of the French troops meeting at any time with a serious reverse, give great trouble, and render the country a precarious place for French residence. The allegiance of the Annamites can never be depended upon by France, for they regard the French as invaders and despoilers; the Tonquinese, on the other hand, if liberally and judiciously treated, may be brought to regard the French as their saviours from Annamite tyranny. Properly governed Tonquin will develop into a splendid dependency, and the population become prosperous and contented. To bring about this result, the best efforts of the French Authorities, if they are wise, will be directed. That they will succeed in restoring confidence, spreading civilisation, and opening up the country to trade we sincerely hope, whether they annex it openly or declare a protectorate over it.
11
CO.
9460
RECD REGD 5 JUN 84
1474