442
INDO-CHINA-TONKIN
The Laotians and Mois, oppressed by their neighbours and by their mandarin system, are lazy, timid and suspicious. The Muongs, who occupy all the basins of the River Noire and Song-ma, are more handsome and robust than the Annamites. The Nuns resemble the Chinese and the Thos belong to the Kmer race.
The British Consul in his report for 1900, says: "A Forest Department has been instituted. The actual political situation of Indo-China, is satisfactory in all respects. The spirit of the native population seems to improve yearly. Outside events, such as the operations in China, seem to have had no effect upon the imagination of the Annamites, and the fears once entertained as to the populations of the borders of China have proved unfounded. Even the new taxes and duties and the increase of some of those already existing have been accepted quietly enough. The Govern- ment has decided that there will be an exhibition at Hanoi (Tonkin) on November 3, 1902, of all products, manufactures, industries, &c., from France, French colonies and Far Eastern countries. A subsidy of 10,000 fr. (4007) per annum is granted to the Chamber of Commerce of Lyons (France) for the maintenance of a professor of the Chinese language, as a supplement to the colonial studies organised by that body. The permanent Archæological Mission instituted by the decree of December 15, 1898, is now working under the new denomination of "Ecole Française d'Extrême- Orient." Its object is the search for ancient articles of artistic or historical interest, and the charge and preservation of monuments of public interest. It also studies the philology of idioms, dialects, and ancient languages of Indo-China and neighbouring countries."
The total force of the French army in Indo-China is about 25,000. The force is composed as follows: 3 regiments infantry marine, 4,800; 5 battalions of the foreign legión, 3,600; 4 regiments of native tirailleurs, 14,100; 6 batteries of European artillery, 800; and artillery auxiliaries (European), 500. There have to be added to the above the auxiliary services and the gendarmerie, which bring the total up to 24,500, under the orders of a General of Division and two brigadiers. There is also in Indo-China a native militia of 10,000 men.
The trade of the Colony is rapidly increasing, the value having risen from 139,078,174 francs in 1888 to 341,650,772 francs in 1900. The exports, which reached a value of 67,665,437 francs in 1888 amounted to 155,606,385 in 1900. The principal article of export is rice, which amounted to 111,502,500 francs in 1900. The total imports amounted in value to 39,388,286 francs in 1888, and to 186,044,387 francs in 1900, the large increase being mainly in goods imported from France, the value of which rose from 9,687,119 francs in 1888 to 74,226,403 in 1900, while imports from foreign countries rose from 29,701,167 francs to 111,817,984 in 1900. In the important item of piece goods, which seem to be the staple most severely hit by the differential tariff, the trade is being rapidly monopolised by France.
D
TONKIN
Anciently an independent kingdom, but since 1802 a province of Annam, Tonkin is situated between lat. 19 deg. and 23 deg. N. and long. 102 deg. and 108 deg. 30 min. E., bounded on the north by China, on the west by the Laos country, on the south by Annam, and on the east by the Gulf of Tonkin. The country near the sea is a rich alluvial plain, well watered by numerous rivers, and produces large crops of rice, while sugar, cotton. spices, indigo, silk, and various other articles are also raised. It possesses valuable mines of silver, lead, antimony, and zinc, and gold and copper are also known to exist. Concessions were granted in 1887 for the working of the coal mines at Kebro and Hongay, and coal of good quality from the last-named is now largely exported. By the Treaty of Hué, dated the 6th June, 1884, the Annamite Government placed Tonkin under a French Protectorate, and its affairs are administered under the supervision of French Residents. It is, in fact, now practically a French Colony. Tonkin is divided into seventy provinces, namely, Quang-yen, Hai-duong, Bac-ninh, Thai nguyen, Tuyen- quan, Hong-ho, Sam tay, Hanoi, Ninh binh, Hong-yen, Nam-dinh, Bac kan, Bat giang, Ha-nam, Hoa-binh, Phu-hen, Chai-binh, Van-ku, Vinhyen, Yen-bai, and four military territories, viz.:-1st circles of Langson, Mon-cay, Van-lính; 2nd circles of Cao-
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