0
7
284
Distribution of exports.
Distribution of total trade,
Causes of the commercial development.
Agriculture and
French colonization.
The exports were distributed as follows:-
France and Colonies Million £. 14 Hong Kong 24 1% Singapore 6 1% China and Japan (direct) Europe (direct) Other countries (mostly eastern)† TotalThe total foreign trade was divided between the different countries as follows:-
France and Colonies Nearly Million £. 54 Hong Kong Nearly 2 China and Japan (direct) 14) Europe (direct) Singapore Other countries (mostly eastern) TotalIt is interesting to note that as regards the whole volume of trade Indo-China ranks twenty-first, and as regards imports alone thirteenth in importance among the countries trading with France.
It will have been noticed that the general increase in trade begun in 1897, and was most marked in 1900, but, as already stated, I do not think this was to any great extent due to the loans which were raised about that time. Over half of the loan of 1896 for 80,000,000 fr. was applied to paying off previous deficits, that is, expenses of administration for the most part, and the balance, I believe, has only recently been exhausted, so that it can hardly have materially influenced the course of trade. Of the authorized loan of 1898 for 200,000,000 fr., 50,000,000 fr. were issued at the end of 1898 or the beginning of 1899, and were apparently completely expended last year when the second issue of 70,000,000 fr. was made. The expenditure of this money was no doubt largely responsible for the big jump in imports in 1900, but it must be observed that it was also in that year that the exports showed the greatest expansion, which, as these latter consist entirely of agricultural produce, can scarcely be attributable to the same cause. Moreover, the large increase in the class of goods in the purchase of which the loan was partly applied was to a certain extent due to the importation of material for public works paid for out of current revenue, and also for agricultural and industrial purposes. Further, the increase was not by any means confined to this class, but extended to all kinds of articles consumed by the natives, which, even after making considerable allowance for the money spent in wages in connection with railway construction, can only be rationally explained by a growth in the prosperity of the people as a whole. And this prosperity is, I think, the healthy fruit of a general internal development resulting from the restoration of order and tranquillity which, by insuring safety of property and person, has stimulated the industry of the people; from the execution of extensive irrigation works and the improvement of the means of communication which, by adding to the cultivable area and facilitating the interchange of goods, have increased production and promoted trade; from the reorganization of the financial and general administration which, by demonstrating the present solvency of the country and inspiring a belief in its future progress, has attracted foreign capital and foreign enterprise. The recent commercial expansion thus resting, as I think, on the solid foundation of a development of internal resources appears to me sound and likely to continue.
I have already, in dealing with exports, given some account of the chief products of the soil, and I shall here merely record a few facts concerning the part played by Frenchmen in the agricultural development of the country.
The settlement in the Colony of Frenchmen as planters and colonists is encouraged by the Government by the grant of assisted passages and in other ways, and there has been a steady influx of this class of men in recent years, the movement being most marked in 1897 and 1898, especially the latter year, and thus coinciding with the general forward movement in trade which has already been pointed out. The number of exploitations or Concessions prior to 1896 was 288, with a total area of 160,000 acres;
* About three-fifths consisted of rice for China.
† Mostly rice for Philippines and Dutch Indies. Probably about three-fourths to and from China.
Of these 575,
in 1901 this had risen to 717 with an area of over 890,000 acres. measuring 660,000 acres, were held by Frenchmen, the rest being owned by natives, About one-eighth of this area was under cultivation. The average size of the Concessions was, approximately, 1,000 acres, the total area of holdings under 100 acres not exceeding 10,000 acres, while there were only two or three of more than 20,000 acres in extent. In Cochin China there were 335 Concessions, which was about double the number in Tonquin, the area—150,000 acres—being, however, less than one-third of that of the latter. The area of the exploitations in Annam was some 50,000 acres, and in Cambodia about 5,000 acres. There were in all about 350 French planters, the difference between this figure and the number of Concessions being probably accounted for by some planters holding more than one Concession, and also by some of the Concessions being held by missionaries and officials. The chief objects of culture are rice and pepper, but some progress is being made with tea, tobacco, coffee, sugar, aniseed, and vanilla. Tea already gives promise of being a success (the export in 1901 was 450,000 lbs.), but the others appear to be still in the experimental stage.
There has been a Board of Agriculture since 1897, with branches in the provinces, Board of Agriculture. which gives much assistance to planters in the way of advising as to what any particular soil is best fitted to grow, the kind of manure to use, the local supply of labour, &c. Small bounties are also granted, and fertilizers in limited quantities supplied at cost price. Experimental gardens have been established in many places where extensive experiments are carried on with a view to improving the quality and yield of the products of the soil. Natives also join in this work by making tests on their land under the supervision of officers of the Board. Some good results are said to have already been obtained from this institution.
The industrial development of the country is only just beginning, and it is yet Industrial. too early to forecast its future. The following are the factories and mills now in operation :-
Albumen Hue, Quinhon, Numdinh, Moncay, Hanoi. Brewery Haiphong. Cement Considerable quantities used in public works. Cotton Saigon, Pnompenh (ginning), Haiphong, Hanoi, Namdinh (last three yarn, aggregating 50,000 spindles), Docks Haiphong (capable of turning out steamers of 300 tons), Saigon (graving dock, 168 metres long), Tourane. Ice Saigon, Pnompenh, Hanoi, Thaiphong. Electricity Saigon, Hanoi. Iron foundry Haiphong. Lime Dapeau (turned out many bridges for Government). Matches Hue. Paper Even with heavy protective duty can scarcely compete with Japanese. Viinh, Hanoi. Powder and cartridges Explosives Hanoi. Product said to be equal to any but very best French. Rice Tuyenquang. Erection decided upon by Government about a year ago, but it is not known whether it has been actually completed or not, Hunoi. Saw mills Saigon and Cholon (a dozen or more). Silk Nadinh. Government model filature. Product fetches double the price of native spun, and is said to be equal to Cantonese. Soap Saigon, Haiphong, Hanni. Small quantity exported to Pakhoi and Kwangehouwan. Tiles (encaustic) Hanoi. Tobacco Hanoi.There are also a large number of distilleries scattered all over the country. Besides the coal mines already enumerated under exports, there are gold mines at Attopeu and Bongmieu (near Tourane), and tin mines at Caobang and Pak Hin Boun (Upper Mekong), which are being worked by French Companies.
The railway system, present and projected, was described at length in my last Communications. Report, and I have now only to add a few particulars which were then overlooked or Railways. have since come to my knowledge.
0
7
284
Distribution of exports.
Distribution of total trade,
Causes of the commercial development.
Agriculture and
French colonization.
The exports were distributed as follows:-
France and Colonies
Hong Kong
Singapore
China and Japan (direct)
Europe (direct)
Other countries (mostly eastern)†
Total
::::::
Million £.
14
241%
61
The total foreign trade was divided between the different countries as follows:-
France and Colonies
Hong Kong
China and Japan (direct)
Other countries (mostly eastern)
Total
Europe (direct)
Singapore
Nearly
Million £. 54
Nearly
2
14)
It is interesting to note that as regards the whole volume of trade Indo-China ranks twenty-first, and as regards imports alone thirteenth in importance among the countries trading with France.
It will have been noticed that the general increase in trade begun in 1897, and was most marked in 1900, but, as already stated, I do not think this was to any great extent due to the loans which were raised about that time. Over half of the loan of 1896 for 80,000,000 fr. was applied to paying off previous deficits, that is, expenses of administration for the most part, and the balance, I believe, has only recently been exhausted, so that it can hardly have materially influenced the course of trade. Of the authorized loan of 1898 for 200,000000 fr., 50,000,000 fr. were issued at the end of 1898 or the beginning of 1899, and were apparently completely expended last year when the second issue of 70,000,000 fr. was made. The expenditure of this money was no doubt largely responsible for the big jump in imports in 1900, but it must be observed that it was also in that year that the exports showed the greatest expansion, which, as these latter consist entirely of agricultural produce, can scarcely be attributable to the same cause. Moreover, the large increase in the class of goods in the purchase of which the loan was partly applied was to a certain extent due to the importation of material for public works paid for out of current revenue, and also for agricultural and industrial purposes. Further, the increase was not by any means confined to this class, but extended to all kinds of articles consumed by the natives, which, even after making considerable allowance for the money spent in
in wages connection with railway construction, can only be rationally explained by a growth in the prosperity of the people as a whole. And this prosperity is, I think, the healthy fruit of a general internal development resulting from the restoration of order and tranquillity which, by insuring safety of property and person, has stimulated the industry of the people; from the execution of extensive irrigation works and the improvement of the means of communication which, by adding to the cultivable are and facilitating the interchange of goods, have increased production and promoted trade; from the reorganization of the financial and general administration which, by demonstrating the present solvency of the country and inspiring a belief in its future progress, has attracted foreign capital and foreign enterprise. The recent commercial expansion thus resting, as I think, on the solid foundation of a development of internal resources appears to me sound and likely to continue.
I have already, in dealing with exports, given some account of the chief products of the soil, and I shall here merely record a few facts concerning the part played by Frenchmen in the agricultural development of the country.
The settlement in the Colony of Frenchmen as planters and colonists is encouraged by the Government by the grant of assisted passages and in other ways, and thore has been a steady influx of this class of men in recent years, the movement being most marked in 1897 and 1898, especially the latter year, and thus coinciding with the general forward movement in trade which has already been pointed out. The number of exploitations or Concessions prior to 1896 was 288, with a total area of 160,000 acres;
* About three-fifths consisted of rice for China.
† Mostly rice for Philippines and Dutch Indies. Probably about three-fourths to and from China.
Of these 575,
in 1901 this had risen to 717 with an area of over 890,000 acres. measuring 660,000 acres, were held by Frenchmen, the rest being owned by natives, About one-cighth of this area was under cultivation. The average size of the Concessions was, approximately, 1,000 acres, the total area of holdings under 100 acres not exceeding 10,000 acres, while there were only two or three of more than 20,000 acres in extent. In Cochin China there were 335 Concessions, which was about double of the number in Tonquin, the area-150,000 acres-being, however, less than one-third of that of the latter. The area of the exploitations in Annam was some 50,000 acres, and in Cambodia about 5,000 acres. There were in all about 350 French planters, the difference between this figure and the number of Concessions being probably accounted for by some planters holding more than one Concession, and also by some of the Concessions being held by missionaries and officials. The chief objects of culture are rice and pepper, but some progress is being made with tea, tobacco, coffee, sugar, aniseed, and vanilla. Tea already gives promise of being a success (the export in 1901 was 450,000 lbs.), but the others appear to be still in the experimental stage.
There has been a Board of Agriculture since 1897, with branches in the provinces, Board of
Agriculture. which gives much assistance to planters in the way of advising as to what any particular soil is best fitted to grow, the kind of manure to use, the local supply of labour, &c. Small bounties are also granted, and fertilizers in limited quantities supplied at cost price. Experimental gardens have been established in many places where extensive experiments are carried on with a view to improving the quality and yield of the products of the soil. Natives also join in this work by making tests on their land under the supervision of officers of the Board. Some good results are said to have already been obtained from this institution.
The industrial development of the country is only just beginning, and it is yet Industrial. too early to forecast its future. The following are the factories and mills now in operation :-
Albumen Brewery Cement
Cotton
Docks
Ice
Electricity Irou foundry Lime Matches
Paper
:
Powder and cartridges
Explosives Rice Saw mills Silk
Soap
Tiles (encaustic) Tobacco
Hue, Quinhon, Numdink, Moncay, Hanoi.
Haiphong. Considerable quantities used in publie
works.
Saigon, Pnompenh (ginning), Haiphong, Hanoi, Namidinh (last three yarn, aggregating 50,000 spindles),
Haiphong (capable of turning out steamers
of
300 tons), Saigon (graving dock, 168 metres loug), Tourane.
Saigon, Pnompenh, Hanoi, Thaiphong.
Saigon, Hanoi. Haiphong.
Dapeau (turned out many bridges for Government). Hue.
Viuh, Hanoi. Even with heavy protective duty can
scarcely compete with Japanese.
Hanoi. Product said to be equal to any but very
best French.
Tuyenquang. Erection decided upon by Govern- ment about a year ago, but it is not known whether it has been actually completed or not, Hunoi.
Saigon and Cholon (a dozen or more).
Saigon, Hue, Dapcau, Hanoi (four).
Nadinh. Government model filatare.
Product
fetches double the price of native spun, and is
said to be equal to Cantonese.
Saigon, Haiphong, Hanni. Suull quantity exportod
to Pakhoi and Kwangehouwan.
Hanoi.
Hanoi.
There are also a large number of distilleries scattered all over the country. Besides the coal mines already enumerated under exports, there are gold mines at Attopeu and Bongmieu (ncar Tourane), and tin mines at Caobang and Pak Hin Boun (Upper Mekong), which are being worked by French Companies.
The railway system, present and projected, was described at length in my last Communications. Report, and I have now only to add a few particulars which were then overlooked or Railways. have since come to my knowledge.
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