Work on the Tonquin Railway in the Red River Valley has been proceeding under difficulties owing to the scarcity of labour; 1,000 men were engaged in Yunnan in the course of the winter for the works, but over half absconded before they reached Laokay.
The service road and the time and money which have been spent on the Isin Isien route from Laokay to Mengtse, would seem to have been wholly wasted.