Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1291

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

1186

CAMBODGE

and spices of all sorts could be grown. Among woods ebony, rose, sapan, pine, iron,. and other valuable sorts exist, no less than eighty different kinds of timber being found. in the forests. Iron of good quality has been discovered, and it is affirmed that there are gold, silver, and lead mines in the mountains. The fisheries of Cambodia are very productive, and salt fish forms one of the chief articles of export. Large quantities of fish oil being also produced.

Cambodia was once an extensive and powerful State, and proofs that it possessed a much higher civilisation than that which now prevails in the country are to be found in the architectural remnants of former grandeur. The noble ruins of the ancient city of Angkor are monuments of a people much superior to the feeble race which now inhabits Cambodia. The Cambodians differ entirely from their neighbours, the Annamites, both in features and customs. Polygamy is practised among them. The prevailing religion is Buddhism. The people are apathetic and indolent, and have allowed the trade to fall into the hands of Chinese, of whom there are about 160,000 in the country. The entire population of the kingdom is about 1,000,000. Slavery, since its abolition by the French Treaty of 1884, has almost entirely disappeared.

The Government of Cambodia is a monarchy under French protection. The present King, Sissowath, succeeded his brother, King Norodom. In June, 1884, Norodom signed a new Treaty with France, by which the administration of the country was handed over to French Residents. Since the Convention of 1892 the native functionaries are appointed by the King, under the control of the French Administration, and are paid from the treasury of this kingdom.

Phnom-penh, the present capital of Cambodia and seat of the Government, is situated on the river Mekong, nearly in the heart of the kingdom. The king's palace is a large building, and the portion devoted to his use is built and furnished in European style. French functionaries have charge of the Treasury, the administration of justice, customs, and public works and taxes. Phnom penh has been considerably improved under the present rule, especially since the year 1889. Many roads have been made and numerous sanitary works carried out in the town, such as drainage works, the filling up of pools, marshes, etc. The town has also been provided with waterworks and electric light. The new Treasury, in the ancient Khmer style of architecture, is a most remarkable building. The other prominent public buildings are the Post Office, Court, Hospital, Personnel and Registration Office, Commissariat of Police, new barracks for Marine Infantry, Public Works Office, Commercial Museum, Harbour Office, and the Indo-China Bank and Messageries Fluviales agencies. The Résident Supérieur has a handsome residence in the city. The population of Phnom penh is estimated at 39,000. Though the country generally is entirely undeveloped trade at present is considerably extending. Cambodia has no seaports of any impor tance, and the import and export trade passes through the port of Saigon. Customs dues have been imposed since July, 1887, with exemptions in favour of French goods and shipping. The tariff is based on the general tariff of France, modified in certain points. The port of Kampot can only be frequented by small native coasting vessels from Siam and by Chinese junks. Easy communication is afforded with the principal towns of the interior, Saigon, Angkor, and Battambang, and Stung- treng and Khone, in the Laos, by subsidized mail steamers of the Messageries Fluviales. Telegraphic communication exists between the principal towns of Cam- bodia and a land wire passing through Cambodia and Laos connects Cochin-China with Bangkok and Tavoy (Burmah).

Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1291

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