COCHIN-CHINA-SAIGON
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by the merchants and traders; formerly it was composed of French, foreigners, and Chinese, but in 1896 its constitution was altered and it is now an exclusively French body.
The population of Cochin-China in 1900 was about 2,252,054, of whom 1,967,747 were Annamites, 178,488 Cambodians, 88,357 Chinese, 3,891 French subjects (exclusive of the troops), 222 foreigners and the rest Indians, Malays, and Mois.
The British Consul in his report for 1900, says: "The area of rice-fields in Cochin- China registered for land tax amounted in 1898 to 1,107,471 hectares (2,735,453 acres), and in 1900 to 1,178,151 hectares (2,910,033 acres)-namely, an increase of 70,680 hectares (174,580 acres) cultivated within two years' time. In consequence of the irrigation works executed all over the district, a great number of land concessions has been applied for and granted by the Government either to villages or to European planters. Cochin-China is far from being completely cultivated. Only one-fifth, namely, about 1,100,000 hectares (2,717,000 acres), are cultivated. The rest is swamps, forests and bushes. There are now nine rice-mills in Saigon-Cholon, including the new one which only started working at the end of 1900, the output of the mills varies from 900 to 450 tons a day, accord- ing to size. Imports consist chiefly of French, British, German and Chinese goods. The principal French products imported are: piece goods, woollen and silk goods, wine, spirits, "articles de Paris," ironware, oil stores, crockery ware, paper, cement, gunpowder, arms and ammunition, tobacco, jewellery, &c. British and German imports are piece goods, lampware, beer, &c. American imports are flour and petroleum, &c. Petroleum is imported from America, Russia and Langkat in cases and in tank steamers. Coals are imported from Japan and occasionally from Cardiff and Australia. Exports of rice from Cochin-China in 1900 show a diminution compared to 1899, but Tonki › has exceeded the maximum registered up to the present. The customs statistics for 1900 were Saigon 718,000 tons, Haiphong 168,600, total 886,600. In consequence of the closing of the Kebao Mines, the export of Tonkin coals (Hongay Mines) has decreasel in 1899. They were 310,646 tons in 1898, and 229,077 tons in 1899, and are chiefly shipped to Saigon, Hongkong, and Singapore. The Conseil Supérieur, in November, 1900, adopted the following works to improve Saigon Harbour:-1. . quay 1,031 metres (3,578 feet) long on the right bank of the river. This quay will permit the mooring of nine vessels of 120 metres (393 feet) long. 2. A series of warehouses 25 metres (82 feet) broad and 969 metres (3,178 feet) long, thus making a total surface of 24,225 square metres (260,611 square feet). 3. Railroads in front and at the back of the warehouses. The line of railway leading thereto will be connected with the Mytho and Cholon Railways. 4. About 20 buoys will be established on the left bank of the river, and vessels will be moored on that side as they are now on the right bank. 5. A bridge, level with the ground, will be built in continuation of the street called Rue d'Adran. The total expenses to be incurred for the improvements projected are estimate at f. 10,394,000 (₹415,760). A postal line of French steamers will be shortly established between Bangkok and Singapore, with a subsidy from the Government of Indo-China. Tonnage under the French flag amounted to 219 vessels of 339,085 tons register, an increase of 13 vessels of 27,544 tons register. For the first time since the port of Saigon existed, British tonnage has been superseded by German tonnage. The number of British vessels cleared in 1900 is 118 of 168,145 tons register, viz., 43 vessels of 22,373 tons register less than German tonnage. This decrease is due to the German line (Hamburg- America) visiting regularly Saigon on their way home. Compared with 1899, British tonnage shows a diminution of 34 vessels and 32,507 tons register."
SAIGON
Saigon, the capital of Cochin-China, is situated on the Saigon river, a branch of the Donnai, in lat. 10 deg. 50 min. N., and long. 104 deg 22 min. E. It is about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone a very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, &c. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and
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