Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 832

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ANNAM

The former stands in the middle of a square island, separated from the latter on three sides by a river and on the fourth by a canal. It is defended by a fortified enceinte, six kilometres in circumference, constructed by French engineers after the system of Vauban, and having six large gates. Within this enceinte reside all the Government officials. The walls are built of brick and are very lofty. Inside the outer enceinte is the citadel, similarly but less solidly fortified, and having eight instead of six gates. The six offices of the Ministry are in this quarter, as well as the Library, the Mandarins' College, the Courts of Justice, the Observatory, and various arsenals and barracks. The palace of the Council of State, and numerous other edifices, all of an official character. stand within the second enceinte. Behind these buildings is a wall of brick, which traverses the citadel throughout, separating it completely into two parts. This wall, which encloses the royal palaces and harem, has three gates; that in the centre being in the form of a pagoda, gilt and adorned with elaborate carvings. The mass of the houses and even the public buildings in Hué are, however, very mean and in a bad state of repair. The Royal palace, like that of Peking, has yellow tiles; those of the nobles are red. The population of the city and suburbs is estimated at 100,000, of whom about 800 are Chinese. The only Europeans are the French Resident, his staff, and guard, consist- ing of 300 French soldiers. The mouth of the Hué river is defended by forts, which were taken by the French in August, 1883, when the Hué Government at once capitulated.

DIRECTORY

RESIDENCE SUPÉRIEURE DE L'ANNAM Résident Supérieur -Léon Boulloche, ☀ Chef de Cabinet-Duranton, vice-résident Commis-Malot

Premier Bureau-Odend'hal, chef, About Deuxme. Bureau-Lemarchant de Trigon Commis-Bachelay

Travaux Publics-Bourard, ingr. directeur Délégué au Ministere de l'interieur du

Gouvt.-Annamite-Soler, chancelier Délégué au Ministère des Finances du |

Gouvt.-Annamite-Doucet, chancelier Trésorerie-Heinz, payeur adjoint

Id. Hubert Delisle, commis

Douanes--Cornillon, chef de service des

Douanes en Annam

Médecin de la Légation-Dr. Pethellaz Postes et Télégraphes-Sirugue, receveur;

Chavannac

Comdt. des Troupes- Comt. Boutrois Directeur d'Artillerie-Comdt. Sylvani Capitaine d'Artillerie-Lieut. Le Halle Infant. Marine-Chef de Batln. Boutrois Hôpital Mil. de Thuan-an-Dr. Vergoz

Id. R. P. Laffite, aumônier Service Administratif — Piquemal, sous-

commissaire, chef

PROVINCES DE L'ANNAM

TOURANE

The port of Tourane is situated about forty miles to the south-east of Hué, the capital of Annam, but on acconnt of the Thuan-an Bar it is accessible by sea for large craft during only six months of the year, from the end of March to the end of September. The land route from Hué, about sixty-eight miles in length, passes over the Nuages range of hills and is an easy road for horse and foot traffic. The extensive bay of Tourane is surrounded by hills and affords anchorage to the largest vessels. The Government transports and the steamers of the Compagnie Nationale de Navigation and the Messageries Maritimes find an anchorage here at all states of the tide and in all weathers. The Tourane River, which has its source in the mountains of the interior, empties itself into the Bay. It is navigable only for small boats and junks, by which the traffic with the provinces of Quang-nam and Quang-ngai is carried on. The town, which is well built, extends for a length of nearly two miles along the left bank of the river. It possesses many public buildings, including the French Residency, a fine Military Hospital, spacious and well ventilated Barracks, the Customs House, the Treasury, the Post Office, and the Municipal Offices, also a number of well appointed business establishments, amongst which may be mentioned the Bank de l'Indo-Chine,