Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 1115

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INDO-CHINA-TONKIN

The political situation in Indo-China is satisfactory in all respects, and it is hoped that the grant of a native Consultative Chamber will develop the aspirations of the Annamese people, who proved their attachment to France during the great war.

The total force of the French army in Indo-China in normal times is composed as follows: 17 regiments of Europeans; 17 regiments of natives; 18 batteries of European artillery; five squadrons of aeroplanes, and sundry units-altogether about 12,000 Europeans and 13,000 natives.

The trade of the Colony is rapidly increasing and nearly 50 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,

Indo-China should attract the attention of travellers from all parts of the world, as it is an ideal field for the tourist. The Baie d'Along, in the gulf of Tonkin, is widely famed for its scenery. Running along the Annamese coast by a motor road, the tourist reaches the town of Hué, the residence of the Emperor of Annam, and finds the sepulchres of the Emperors Gialong, Ming Manh, Thien Tri, etc., a mine of interest. From Nhatrang the railway runs down to Saigon through the mysterious forest land. The week-end train starting from Saigon on Friday evening runs to Phanrang Station, where motor-cars are waiting for travellers. After a splendid trip of three hours, amid fir-clad hills, the tourist arrives at Dalat Station, about 4,000 feet above sea-level, where there is a large hotel offering excellent accommodation. In the neighbourhood sport of every kind, including big-game hunting specially organised, may be in- dulged in, as well as excursions and motor trips. Nor must reference be omitted to the famous ruins of Angkor, which will bear comparison with those of the ancient kingdom of the Pharaohs.

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 and maize, while sugar, cotton, spices, indigo, silk, arecquier, coffee and various other articles are also raised. It possesses valuable mines of silver, lead, antimony, phosphates 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 600,000 tons of coal of good quality from the last-named is now exported annually. 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 20 provinces, namely, Quang-yen, Hai-duong, Bac-ninh, Thai-nguyen, Tuyen- quan, Hong-hoa, Son-tay, Ha-noi, Ninh-binh, Hung-yen, Nam-dinh, Bac kan, Bac- giang, Ha-nam, Hoa-binh, Phu-lien, Thai-binh Van-bu, Vinh-yen, Yen-bay, and four military territories, viz. :—1st circles of Langson, Mon-cay, Van-linh; 2nd circles of Cao- 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 joins Hanoi to Haiphong, to Yunnanfu, to Langson and to Vinh. A concession has been granted for a further extension from Langson to Lungchow, in the Chinese province of Kwangsi. The railway running from Haiphong to Hanoi was opened in July, 1902, Hanoi to Laokay in February, 1906, and Hanoi to Yunnanfu in 1910.

There are three European 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 leather and spirits. There are also numerous rice mills and two breweries.

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景福

Hiver

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