Directory_and_Chronicle_1909 — Page 1338

INDO-CHINA-TONKIN

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The actual political situation of Indo-China had for many years been satisfactory in all respects, but the granting of a native Consultative Chamber seemed to create a spirit of unrest, and developed aspirations towards independence which many feared would lead to trouble. Outside events, such as the operations in China in 1900, had no influence upon the imagination of the Annamites, and the fears once entertained as to its effect upon the populations of the borders of China proved unfounded. The success of Japanese armis in the war against Russia, however, left an impression on the imagina- tion of the natives here as in other Asiatic countries, and in 1908 there was considerable apprehension. But the strengthening of the forces, and the arrival of M. Klubukowski, the new Governor-General, with his previous experience of the country, which enabled him at once to deal with the position in a firm and statesmanlike manner quickly put an end to popular fears and restored public confidence. The exhibition at Hanoï (Tonkin) opened in November, 1902, of all products, manufactures, industries, &c., from France, French colonies and Far Eastern countries, was a pronounced success.

The perman-

ent 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 composed as follows: 17 regiments of Europeans; 17 regiments of natives; 18 batteries of European artillery ; and sundry units-altogether about 12,000 Europeans, and 13,000 Natives.

The trade of the Colony is rapidly increasing; the total for 1907. excluding transit trade, amounted to nearly £22,000,000, about equally divided between imports and exports. Nearly fifty per cent. of the imports are of French origin. Less than four per cent. of the remainder comes from Europe, as much of the import consists of natural products from neighbouring countries. The Customs tariff on imports may be said to be the same as that in France. By far the largest export is rice.

TONKIN

Originally 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 Kebao 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 twenty provinces, namely, Quang-yen, Hai-duong, Bac-ninh, Thai-nguyen, Tuyen- quan, Hong hoa, Son-tay, Hanoi, Ninh binh, Hong-yen, Nam dinh, Backán, Bac- giang, Ha-nam, Hoa-binh, Phu-lien, Chai-binh, Van-bu, Vinh yen, Yen-bai, and four military territories, viz.:-1st circles of Langson, Mon-cay, Van-linh; 2nd circles of Can- bang, Bao-lac; 3rd circles of Ha-giang, Bac-quang; 4th circles of Lao-kay, Bao-ba. Hanoi, the capital, is the chief town of the province of the same name, and appears on old maps as Ke-sho. The population of the province is estimated at about 15,000,000. A railway was some years ago constructed from Phu Lang-Thuong to Langson, a distance of 64 miles, but it was little better than a tramway. The gauge of this line has now been widened from 60 centimetres to 1 metre and extended to Hanoi, a distance of 45 kilometres, and a concession has been granted for a further extension from Langson to Lung chow, in the Chinese province of Kwangsi. The new railway running from Haiphong to Hanoi was opened in July, 1902, and Hanoi to Laokay in February 1906.

There are three mills for spinning cotton yarn in Tonkin, one at Haiphong of 25,000 spindles, one at Nam-Dinh of 24,000 and one at Hanoi of 10,000. The other industries include the manufacture of cement, soap, albumen, matches, &c.