Comparison with Siamese lines.
285
8
To the lines mentioned as already working should be added about 20 kilom. at the Hongay coal mines and a short line from Kebao to Port Wallat, also the following tramways:- Saigon to Cholon (7 kilom.), Saigon to Goviap (3 kilom.), and three lines in and around Hanoi about 13 kilom. long.
A line from Phu Ning Giang to Kesat (near Haiduong) is under construction, and one of 1-metre gauge is to be constructed from Hanoi to Sontay.
A railway of 1-metre gauge is to be made (I think it is already begun) from Kwangchouwan to Meilu. This is probably the commencement of the line to the West River traced in the map attached hereto.
The line from the Annam coast through Attapeu, over the Mekong to Korat, in Siam, seems likely to be taken in hand in the near future.
9
At the end of June 1901 there were some 12,000 kilom. of telegraph lines open, and, according to the Governor-General, 18,000 in 1902, which latter figure, however, I think must be a mistake. The telegraph stations numbered at that date 224, and there were about the same number of post-offices. The receipts from the two sources rose from 257,000 dollars in 1896 to 413,000 dollars in 1900, and the upward tendency continued in a marked degree in the first part of 1901. The increase is largely attributable to the employment of Annamites in the administration, which has led to an extensive use of the telegraph by the natives, and also no doubt to the reduction of the rate per word for the whole country to two cents.
It may be mentioned that the wood telegraph poles are being replaced by iron ones, thereby reducing the cost of upkeep from 4 dollars to 1 dol. 50 c. per kilom. In the Laos the cost of maintenance per kilom. reaches the high figure of 9 dollars.
A map showing the lines is attached hereto.
The length of the railways now finished in Tonquin is 281 miles, and the receipts for 1902 (that is, presumably, one year for the Hanoi-Dongdang line-163 kilom, say, 102 miles; and six months for the Hanoi-Haiphong line-62 miles) amounted to 420,000 dollars, being 130,000 dollars in excess of the expenditure. As, owing to the country having been almost depopulated during the troubles, the traffic on the portions beyond Phu Lang Thuong (30 miles from Hanoi) is very small, these results seem to be satisfactory, and omitting the portion of the line mentioned give, I believe, at least 3 per cent. interest on the capital employed. The Haiphong line is said to carry over 1,000 passengers a day, but very little merchandise, owing no doubt, to the competition of the waterways.
The lines of inland steam navigation are clearly shown on the accompanying map.
The service in Tonquin is worked by the Correspondances Fluviales with twenty-five steamers. The service along the coast from Saigon to Haiphong is worked by the Messageries Maritimes in connection with their mail-boats, and the same Company runs steamers from Saigon to Singapore, and from Saigon to Batavia and Samarang.
The following are the figures for the Hanoi-Dongdang line for the first half of 1902:-
Passengers Luggage Goods Total receipts Increase 488,557 14,352 108,000 Dollars. Tons 14,900 34,100 152,000 $1,000The receipts of the Saigon-Mytho line (44 miles) for the first eight months in 1902 were 115,000 dollars, an increase of 10,000 dollars.
It may be interesting to compare these results with those given by the Siamese lines (? about 200 miles).
As stated in my last Report, great improvements have been effected in the waterways, and the work is still being carried on with unremitting vigour. From 1882 to 1898 over 250,000l. was spent on the canals in Cochin China, in 1899 nearly 140,000l., and since then 100,000l. per annum, which is to be the annual grant for some years to come. A sum of 440,000l. has been expended on the harbour at Saigon since 1899, and a sum of 200,000l. on the harbour at Tourane. The navigability of the Mekong has been slightly improved, and an annual credit of 15,000l. is voted for that purpose, but the difficulties met with on this river at two or three points seem to be almost unsurmountable, except at a prohibitive cost; and this appears to be also the case with regard to the Upper Red River, even in the opinion of so sanguine a man as Governor-General Doumer.
Page 289
The distribution of troops is roughly shown on the maps attached hereto. The Military force is composed as follows:-
Description Number of Companies Strength Infanterie Coloniale 40 6,000 Régiments étrangers 20 5,000 Infanterie Légère d'Afrique 4 1,000 Tirailleurs Algériens 8 2,000 Total strength of French troops 14,000This gives, I believe, a return of 2·80 per cent. on the capital invested. It may be mentioned that the estimated average cost of construction of the projected railways in Indo-China is 100,000 fr. per kilom., at which rate the loan of 200,000,000 fr. will enable 2,000 kilom. to be built. The lines into China are to be undertaken by private Companies, the Government guaranteeing 3 per cent. on the capital.
Great improvements have been made in the land communications, and it is now possible to travel all over the delta by rickshaw or bicycle. There are many miles of fine roads in the neighbourhood of the more important towns, and much progress has been made in reconstructing the main highways that existed before the arrival of the French, as well as repairing and extending local roads. For instance, in the single province of Bienhoa (near Saigon) there are said to be over 200 kilom. of metalled roads.
* Converted at the rate of 2 fr. 20 c. per dollar.
Not included in the above: eighteen batteries of artillery (12 guns to a battery, half being in reserve), one company "d'ouvriers d'artillerie," and a section of the 7th "régiment du génie." The strength of the artillery is probably understated, as I believe reinforcements have been recently sent out.
Description Number of Companies Strength Tirailleurs Annamites 12 3,000 Tonkinois 56 14,000 Cambodiens 1 250 Chinois 2 600 Total strength of native troops 17,750Page 290
Comparison with Siamese lines.
285
8
To the lines mentioned as already working should be added about 20 kilom, at the Hongay coal mines and a short line from Kebao to Port Wallat, also the following tramways:-Saigon to Cholon (7 kilom.), Saigon to Goviap (3 kilom.), and three lines in and around Hanoi about 13 kilom. long.
A line from Phu Ning Giang to Kesat (near Haiduong) is under construction, and one of 1-metre gauge is to be constructed from Hanoi to Sontay.
A railway of 1-metre gauge is to be made (I think it is already begun) from Kwangchouwan to Meilu. This is probably the commencement of the line to the West River traced in the map attached hereto.
The line from the Annam coast through Attapeu, over the Mekong to Korat, in Siam, seems likely to be taken in hand in the near future.
9
At the end of June 1901 there were some 12,000 kilom. of telegraph lines open, Telegraphs and and, according to the Governor-General, 18,000 in 1902, which latter figure, however, Fosts. I think must be a mistake. The telegraph stations numbered at that date 224, and there were about the same number of post-offices. The receipts from the two sources rose from 257,000 dollars in 1896 to 413,000 dollars in 1900, and the upward tendency continued in a marked degree in the first part of 1901. The increase is largely attributable to the employment of Annamites in the administration, which has led to an extensive use of the telegraph by the natives, and also no doubt to the reduction of the rate per word for the whole country to two cents.
It may be mentioned that the wood telegraph poles are being replaced by iron ones, thereby reducing the cost of upkeep from 4 dollars to 1 dol. 50 c. per kilom. In the Laos the cost of maintenance per kilom. reaches the high figure of 9 dollars.
A map showing the lines is attached hereto.
The length of the railways now finished in Tonquin is 281 miles, and the receipts for 1902 (that is, presumably, one year for the Hanoi-Dongdang line-163 kilom, say, 102 miles; and six months for the Hanoi-Haiphong line-62 miles) amounted to 420,000 dollars, being 130,000 dollars in excess of the expenditure. As, owing to the country having been almost depopulated during the troubles, the traffic on the portionsteamers, and in Cochin China to Bangkok and on the Mekong by the Messageries of the former line heyond Phu Lang Thuong (30 miles from Hanoi) is very small, these results seem to be satisfactory, and omitting the portion of the line mentioned give, I believe, at least 3 per cent. interest on the capital employed. The Haiphong line is said to carry over 1,000 passengers a day, but very little merchandize, owing no doubt, to the competition of the waterways.
The lines of inland steam navigation are clearly shown on the accompanying map. Waterways and The service in Tonquin is worked by the Correspondances Fluviales with twenty-five navigation.
The following are the figures for the Hanoi-Dongdang line for the first half of 1902:-
Passengers Luggage Goods
Total receipts
Increase..
:::
Dollars.
488,557
Tons
14,352
108,000 14,900 34,100
152,000
$1,000
The receipts of the Saigon-Mytho line (44 miles) for the first eight months in 1902 were 115,000 dollars, an increase of 10,000 dollars.
It may be interesting to compare these results with those given by the Siamese lines (? about 200 miles).
Fluviales, also with twenty-five steamers. Both these Companies are subsidized. The service along the coast from Saigon to Haiphong is worked by the Messageries Mari- times in connection with their mail-boats, and the same Company runs steamers from Saigon to Singapore, and from Saigon to Batavia and Samarang.
As stated in my last Report, great improvements have been effected in the waterways, and the work is still being carried on with unremitting vigour. From 1882 to 1898 over 250,000l. was spent on the canals in Cochin China, in 1899 nearly 140,000l., and since then 100,0001. per annum, which is to be the annual grant for some years to come. A sum of 440,0001. has been expended on the harbour at Saigon since 1899, and a sum of 200,0001, on the harbour at Tourane. The navigability of the Mekong has been slightly improved, and an annual credit of 15,000l. is voted for that purpose, but the difficulties met with on this river at two or three points seem to be almost unsurmountable, except at a prohibitive cost; and this appears to be also the case with regard to the Upper Red River, even in the opinion of so sanguine a man as Governor-General Doumer.
The distribution of troops is roughly shown on the maps attached hereto. The Military. force is composed as follows:-
Description.
Number
of Companies.
Strength.
Confidential.
Passengers Gooda
Tons
850,525 53,880
Fr. 1,017,937* 636,279
Dollars. (say) 462,700
289,200
Total receipts
1,654,216
751,900
Expenses..
Net receipts
785,600
868,616
357,000
304,900
Infanterie Coloniale
40
6,000
(but see below.)
Régiments étrangers
20
5,000
Infanterie Légère d'Afrique
4
1,000
Tirailleurs Algériens
8
2,000
Total strength of French troops
14,000
Cost of construction.
Roads.
This gives, I believe, a return of 2·80 per cent. on the capital invested. It may be mentioned that the estimated average cost of construction of the projected railways
in Indo-China is 100,000 fr. per kilom., at which rate the loan of 200,000,000 fr. will enable 2,000 kilom. to be built. The lines into China are to be undertaken by private Companies, the Government guranteeing 3 per cent, on the capital.
Las
Great improvements have been made in the land communications, and it is now possible to travel all over the delta by rickshaw or bicycle. There are many miles of fine roads in the neighbourhood of the more important towns, and much
progress been made in reconstructing the main highways that existed before the arrival of the French, as well as repairing and extending local roads. For instance, in the single province of Bienhoa (near Saigon) there are said to be over 200 kilom. of metalled roads. There are also a number of military roads in Upper Tonquin, with respect to which I have, however, no exact information; but as a sum of 200,000 was appropriated for their construction some years ago they should be of considerable length and approaching completion. The accompanying map will give a rough ides of the present state of land communication.
* Converted at the rate of 2 fr. 20 c. per dollar.
Not included in the above: eighteen batteries of artillery (12 guns to a battery, half being in reserve), one company "d'ouvriers d'artillerie," and a section of the 7th "régi- ment du génie." The strength of the artillery is probably understated, as I believe rein- forcements have been recently sent out. Some of the batteries, how many I do not know, are provided with French mules of heavy build, which appear to stand the climate well.
Description.
Tirailleurs Annamites
[884]
"
Tonkinois
Cambodiens Chinois
Total strength of native troops
::::
Number
of Companies.
Strength.
12
3,000
56
14,000
I
250
2
600
17,750
D
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