Trade.
Transit trade.
Activity of Japanese.
Foreigners excluded from timber trade.
Cultivation of pepper.
6
The taxation is in fact very light, amounting to only 5 fr. a-head, which is less than in India, and but little over half the rate in Java. There has doubtless been an apparent increase of charges, but this has been probably more than compensated for by the reduction of the exactions of the native officials, to say nothing of the greater well-being and prosperity which naturally follow the substitution of order for lawlessness and good government for bad.
The total value of the trade rose from 8,628,000l. in 1896 to 21,406,000l. in 1901, an increase of nearly 150 per cent. The imports advanced from 3,243,000l. to 8,099,000l., the exports from 3,552,000l. to 6,424,000l., transit trade from 877,000l. to 1,339,000l., and coast trade from 1,455,000l. to 5,542,000l. The imports from and the exports to France and her colonies were valued at 4,002,000l., and 1,582,000l., respectively, as against 1,222,000l. and 405,000l. respectively in 1896. The share of the mother country and her colonies in the imports was, in 1901, nearly one-half, and in the exports somewhat less than one-quarter, or roughly two-fifths of the whole foreign trade, which is a considerably larger proportion than in the previous year.
The shipping entered in 1901 increased by 75 ships and 139,000 tons, the total amounting to 1,235 ships of 1,492,000 tons, of which France contributed 595 ships of 759,000 tons, Germany 341 ships of 334,000 tons, and Great Britain 194 ships of 269,000 tons, the balance of 130,000 tons being divided between eleven different flags. British shipping shows an advance of 30,000 tons on the figures for 1900, whilst French and German gained 144,000 and 71,000 tons respectively. The shipping of both these countries appears to be increasing faster, both absolutely and relatively, than that of Great Britain. It is noteworthy that Japanese tonnage fell from 66,000 tons in 1899 to 11,000 in 1901.
In view of the various French schemes for the exploitation of Yunnan and Kuanghsi, the growth of the transit trade, above noted, is of special interest. It amounted to 1,339,000l., of which 1,239,000l. represented trade with Yünnan, an advance of some 50 per cent. on 1900, the balance being mostly with Battambong (in Siam). The business was almost entirely with Hong Kong, which sent goods to the value of 911,000l. and received 325,000l. The chief articles imported were yarn, 620,000l. (from India and Japan in about equal quantities), textiles 124,000l., and Chinese tobacco 100,000l., while the exports consisted almost entirely of tin 282,000l., and tea nearly 16,000l. The direct trade with Europe was very small, amounting to only 2,000l. in value, but an attempt is now being made to divert the tin from Hong Kong and ship it direct to France, and should this succeed the French steamers from Indo-China will obtain some 3,000 tons of freight a-year at the expense of the Hong Kong lines.
As will be observed from the above figures, cotton yarn represents more than half the trade with Yunnan. At present all this comes from abroad, but Indo-China, producing its own raw material and favoured by its proximity to the place of consumption, may in the near future become a serious competitor. Tonquin has now two mills in operation and another about to start, numbering in all 50,000 spindles capable of turning out 2,500 tons of yarn a-year, which is about two-thirds of the local consumption. The production of these mills reduced the import of yarn (mostly No. 20) for the local market by some 300,000l. in 1901, and with the development of the industry that is now going on the home demand will probably soon be more than satisfied, when will arise a need for new outlets, which will no doubt be sought in the neighbouring provinces of China. To satisfy local requirements, and also to supply the Yunnan market, about three times the present number of spindles would be required.
There was no transit trade with Kuanghsi, the transport charges being considerably higher than by the Pakhoi-Chinchou and West River routes.
It is alleged by the press that several Japanese officers have been serving with the Siamese forces in the valley of the Mekong, and that the Japanese are displaying activity in other directions in that country. It seems to be feared that their presence will be prejudicial to French interests.
The Japanese are also said to be practising a system of espionage in Indo-China, and there appears to be an uneasy feeling that they may in certain eventualities become a menace to the security of French possessions in the East.
By a Decree of June last the timber trade in Indo-China is reserved for Frenchmen and French protégés, but power is given to relax this law in favour of foreigners paying State and municipal taxes.
Encouraged by a remission of half the import duty into France, the cultivation of pepper in Cochin-China and Cambodia has greatly developed of recent years, the production having reached in 1901 some 3,000 tons, which is more than enough to supply the demand of the French market.
**
9
7
Owing to the surreptitious import of pepper from Siam, and its export as colonial produce, a law has now been passed limiting to 2,100 tons the amount which shall be entitled to the abatement of duty. This has caused a heavy fall in the price, and much consternation among the planters. It is feared that the industry, which had attained a very prosperous condition, and was rapidly developing, will suffer a serious check as a consequence of this enactment.
80
A good many Frenchmen are already settled in the country as planters, and their number is constantly increasing. Much may be expected from the presence of this class of men in the way of developing the agricultural resources of the country and strengthening French power.
Extensive operations are being carried on for the enlargement and improvement of the harbour at Haipong, and other important works for the improvement of navigation, and the promotion of agriculture by irrigation and drainage are being projected.
The recent Treaty with Siam meets with general condemnation, and is considered likely to seriously lower French influence in that country, and to injuriously affect the interests of Indo-China.
It may be mentioned incidentally that the number of persons registered in the French Consulates as being under French protection is stated to be 30,000.
(Signed) H. A. LITTLE, Consul.
Pakhoi, January 9, 1903.
Supplementary Note on Railways.
The line from Hanoi to Vietry is finished, but is not yet formally open to traffic owing to an accident to the bridge at that place. The necessary repairs are, I understand, almost completed. The section to Yenbay (about 80 kilom.) is expected to be opened in June.
The route selected from Laokay to Yünnan-fu has turned out to be impracticable, and the line will now pass some distance from Hengtzu, to which a branch will, however, be made.
Owing to the dilatoriness of the contractors the work of construction has been recently placed under military control, and Chinese coolies are being engaged in Kuanghsi, several batches of from 50 to 100 having already arrived from Lungchow.
The Langson line has been carried right up to the frontier at Nankuan, but trains only run to Dongdang, 31 kilom. distant.
The section from Ninbinh to Thanhoa will be finished this year, and the continuation to Vinh shortly afterwards. The bridges, which are being made in France, may cause some delay,
There is a short branch from The section from Saigon to Bienhoa is already open. Ticau to the busy river port Dapcau, one of 2 kilom. from Namdinh to its port, one of 5 kilom. from Vinh to its port Benthuy, one from the Ninghson coal mines to Tourane, and one for portage purposes across the Isle of Khone, on the Mekong, where navigation is obstructed by rapids.
I am informed that a survey is about to be made for a line from Hanoi down the valley of the Mekong to Pnompeh; and I believe that surveys have been made of the country between Lungchow, Nanning, and Kuangchouwan.
(Signed) H. A. LITTLE, Consul.
February 23, 1903,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Map showing Railways in Indo-China.
[Not printed.]
Trade.
Transit trade.
Activity of Japanese.
Foreigners
excluded from
timber trade.
Cnitivation of
pepper.
6
The taxation is in fact very light, amounting to only 5 fr. a-head, which is less than in India, and but little over half the rate in Java. There has doubtless been an apparent increase of charges, but this has been probably more than compensated for by the reduc- tion of the exactions of the native officials, to say nothing of the greater well-being and prosperity which naturally follow the substitution of order for lawlessness and good government for bad.
The total value of the trade rose from 8,628,000l. in 1896 to 21,406,0001. in 1901, an increase of nearly 150 per cent. The imports advanced from 3,243,000l. to 8,099,0001, the exports from 3,552,000l. to 6,424,000%, transit trade from 877,000l. to 1,339,0001, and coast trade from 1,455.000l. to 5,542,000. The imports from and the exports to France and her colonies werc valued at 4,002,0001, and 1,582,0001, respectively, as against 1,222,000l. and 405,000l. respectively in 1896. The share of the mother country and her colonies in the imports was, in 1901, nearly one-half, and in the exports somewhat less than one-quarter, or roughly two-fifths of the whole foreign trade, which is a considerably larger proportion than in the previous year.
The shipping entered in 1901 increased by 75 ships and 139,000 tons, the total amounting to 1,235 ships of 1,492,000 tons, of which France contributed 595 ships of 759,000 tons, Germany 341 ships of 334,000 tons, and Great Britain 194 ships of 269,000 tons, the balance of 130,000 tons being divided between eleven different flags. British shipping shows an advance of 30,000 tons on the figures for 1900, whilst French and German gained 144,000 and 71,000 tons respectively. The shipping of both these countries appears to be increasing faster, both absolutely and relatively, than that of Great Britain. It is noteworthy that Japanese tonnage fell from 66,000 tons in 1899 to 11,000 in 1901.
In view of the various French schemes for the exploitation of Yunnan and Kuanghsi, the growth of the transit trade, above noted, is of special interest. amounted to 1,339,000%., of which 1,239,000l. represented trade with Yünnan, an advance Its total value of some 50 per cent, on 1900, the balance being mostly with Battambong (in Siam). The business was almost entirely with Hong Kong, which seat goods to the value of 911,0007. and received 325,0001. The chief articles imported were yarn, 620,0001. (from India and Japan in about equal quantities), textiles 124,000, and, Chinese tobicco 100,000%, while the exports consisted almost entirely of tin 282,000, and tea nearly 16,000. The direct trade with Europe was very small, amounting to only 2,000. in value, but an attempt is now being made to divert the tin from Hong Kong and ship it direct to France, and should this succeed the French steamers from Indo-China will obtain some 3,000 tons of freight a-year at the expense of the Hong Kong lines.
As will be observed from the above figures, cotton yarn represents more than half the trade with Yunnan. At present all this comes from abroad, but Indo-China, producing its own raw material and favoured by its proximity to the place of consumption, may in the near future become a serious competitor. Tonquin has now two mills in operation and another about to start, numbering in all 50,000 spindles capable of turning out 2,500 tons of yarn a-year, which is about two-thirds of the local consumption. The production of these mills reduced the import of yarn (mostly No. 20) for the local market by some 300,000l. in 1901, and with the development of the industry that is now going on the home demand will probably soon be more than satisfied, when will arise a need for new outlets, which will no doubt be sought in the neighbouring provinces of China. to satisfy local requirements, and also to supply the Yunnan market, about three times the In order present number of spindles would be required.
There was no transit trade with Kuanghsi, the transport charges being considerably higher than by the Pakhoi-Chinchou and West River routes.
It is alleged by the press that several Japanese officers have been serving with the Siamese forces in the valley of the Mekong, and that the Japanese are displaying activity in other directions in that country. It seems to be feared that their presence will be prejudicial to French interests.
The Japanese are also said to be practising a system of espionage in Indo-China, and there appears to be an uneasy feeling that they may in certain eventualities become a menace to the security of French possessious in the East.
By a Decree of June last the timber trade in Indo-China is reserved for Frenchmen and French protégés, but power is given to relax this law in favour of foreigners paying State and municipal taxes.
Encouraged by a remission of half the import duty into France, the cultivation of pepper in Cochin-China and Cambodia has greatly developed of recent years, the produc- tion having reached in 1901 some 3,000 tons, which is more than enough to supply the demand of the French market.
**
९
7
Owing to the surreptitious import of pepper from Siam, and its export as colonial produce, a law has now been passed limiting to 2,100 tons the amount which shall be entitled to the abatement of duty. This has caused a heavy fall in the price, and much consternation among the planters. It is feared that the industry, which had attained a very prosperous condition, and was rapidly developing, will suffer a serious check as a consequence of this enactment.
80
A good many Frenchmen are already settled in the country as planters, and their Increase of French number is constantly increasing. Much may be expected from the presence of this class settlers. of men in the way of developing the agricultural resources of the country and strengthening French power.
Extensive operations are being carried on for the enlargement and improvement of Public works. the harbour at Haipong, and other important works for the improvement of navigation, and the promotion of agriculture by irrigation and drainage are being projected.
The recent Treaty with Siam meets with general condemnation, and is considered Treaty with Siam. likely to seriously lower French influence in that country, and to injuriously affect the interests of Indo-China.
It may be mentioned incidentally that the number of persons registered in the French Consulates as being under French protection is stated to be 30,000.
(Signed) H. A. LITTLE, Consul.
Pakhoi, January 9, 1903.
Supplementary Note on Railways.
The line from Hanoi to Vietry is finished, but is not yet formally open to traffic owing to an accident to the bridge at that place. The necessary repairs are, I under- stand, almost completed. The section to Yenbay (about 80 kilom.) is expected to be opened in June.
The route selected from Laokay to Yünnan-fu has turned out to be impracticable, and the line will now pass some distance from Hengtzu, to which a branch will, however, be made.
Owing to the dilatoriness of the contractors the work of construction has been recently placed under military control, and Chinese coolies are being engaged in Kuangbsi, several batches of from 50 to 100 having already arrived from Lungchow.
The Langson line has been carried right up to the frontier at Nankuan, but trains only run to Dongdang, 31 kilom. distant.
The section from Ninbinh to Thanhoa will be finished this year, and the continuation to Vinh shortly afterwards. The bridges, which are being made in France, may cause some delay,
There is a short branch from The section from Saigon to Bienhoa is already open. Ticau to the busy river port Dapcau, one of 2 kilom. from Namdinh to its port, one of 5 kilom. from Viah to its port Benthuy, one from the Ninghson coal mines to Tourane, and one for portage purposes across the Isle of Khone, on the Mekong, where navigation is obstructed by rapids.
I am informed that a survey is about to be made for a line from Hanoi down the valley of the Mekong to Pnompeh; and I believe that surveys have been made of the country between Lungchow, Nanning, and Kuangchouwan.
II. A. LITTLE, Consul.
February 23, 1903,
(Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Map showing Railwags in Indo-China.
[Not printed.]
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