Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 1046

CHOLON-CAMBODGE

1025

COMPAGNIE DES EAUX ET D'ELECTRICITÉ

DE L'INDOCHINE (Usine de Cholon)

Brisset, directeur

Lacoste, caissier comptable Narnnon, chef sce. compteurs Gaontier, mécanicien Peyras, foutainier

Tardivel et Méjean, electriciens Navaro, surveillant

Passagne, aide-comptable Achard, magasinier

RIZERIES D'EXTREME ORIENT-Cholon Rizeries, Orient, Tong-Wo. Bureau et Siege social; 301, quai des Jonqu es; Tel. Ad: Rizorien, Cholon

F. Lauber, administrateur delé gué

Lolmede, directeur

CAMBODGE

Cambodia, the kingdom of the Khmer, extends from 101 deg. 30 min. to 104 deg. 30 min. longitude E. of Paris, and from 10 deg. 30 min. to 14 deg. latitude. It was reduced to its present proportions in 1860 by the annexation of its two richest provinces, Angkor and Battambang, to Siam. Its area is about 62,000 square miles. 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 kingdoni, and, after passing through French Cochin-China, emptics itself, by a number of mouths, into the sea. The Mekong is the grand waterway of Cambodia, and, like 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, pepper, indigo, cotton, tobacco, sugar, maize and cardamoms are cultivated. Coffee and spices of all sorts.could be grown. Among woods, ebony, rose, sapan, pine, and other valuable sorts exist, no fewer than 80 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 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 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 tlieir 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. In June, 1884, King 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 have been appointed by the King, under tlie 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 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, Sanitary Board, administration of justice, customs, public works and taxes. Phnom-penli has been considerably improv- ed 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 Treasury, in the ancient Khmer style of