Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 1196

CAMBODGE

Cambodia, the kingdom of the Khmer, extends from 101 deg. 30 min. to 104 leg. 30 min. longitude E. of Paris, and from 10 deg. 30 min. to 14 deg. latitude. It was reduced to its present proportions in 1865 by the annexation of its two ichest provinces, Angkor and Battambang, to Siam. Its area is about 62,000 square niles. It is bounded on the south-west by the Gulf of Siam, on the south-east by French Cochin-China, on the north by the French Laos, and on the north-west and west by Angkor and Battambang. The noble river Mekong flows through the kingdom, nd, after passing through French Cochin-China, empties itself, by a number of mouths, into the sea. The Mekong is the grand waterway of Cambodia, and, ike the Nile in Egypt, lays the greater part of the country under water annually, greatly increasing its fertility. The soil of Cambodia is rich and productive, and rice, epper, indigo, cotton, tobacco, sugar, maize and cardamoms are cultivated. Coffee nd spices of all sorts could be grown. Among woods, ebony, rose, sapan, pine, nd other valuable sorts exist, no fewer than 80 different kinds of timber being found n the forests. Iron of good quality has been discovered, and it is affirmed that there re 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 are 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 ound in the architectural remnants of former grandeur. The noble ruins of the ncient 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, he Annamites, both in features and customs. Polygamy is practised among them. The prevailing religion is Buddhism. The people are apathetic and indolent, and ave allowed the trade to fall into the hands of Chinese, of whom there are about 60,000 in the country. The entire population of the kingdom is about 1,000,000. lavery, since its abolition by the French Treaty of 1884, has almost entirely isappeared.

The Government of Cambodia is a monarchy under French protection. In June, 884, King Norodom signed a new Treaty with France, by which the administration of he country was handed over to French Residents. Since the Convention of 1892 he native functionaries have been appointed by the King, under the control of the French Administration, and paid from the treasury of this kingdom.

Phnom-penh, the present capital of Cambodia and seat of the Government, is ituated on the river Mekong, nearly in the heart of the kingdom. The king's palace a large building, and the portion devoted to his use is built and furnished in European tyle. French functionaries have charge of the Treasury, Sanitary Board, administration f justice, customs, public works and taxes. Phnom-penli has been considerably improv

under the present rule, especially since the year 1889. Many roads have been made nd numerous sanitary works carried out in the town, such as drainage works, he filling up of pools, marshes, etc. The town has also been provided with raterworks and electric light. The Treasury, in the ancient Khner style of drchitecture, is a most remarkable building. The other prominent public buildings tre the Post Office, Court, Hospital, Personnel and Registration Office, Commissariat f Police, barracks for Marine Infantry, Public Works Office, Commercial Museum, Harbour Office, and the Indo-China Bank and Messageries Fluviales agencies. The ésident Supérieur has a handsome residence in the city. The population of Phnom- enh is estimated at 39,000. Though the country generally is entirely undeveloped, ade is extending considerably. Cambodia has no seaports of any importance, And the import and export trade passes through the port of Saigon. Customs ques have been inposed since July, 1887, with exemptions in favour of French ods and shipping. The tariff is based on the general tariff of France, modified certain points. The port of Kampot can only be frequented by small native Jasting vessels from Siain and by Chinese junks. Easy communication is afforded

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