Directory_and_Chronicle_1937 — Page 1243

CHOLON-CAMBODGE

Service des Eaux et d'Electricité:

Tournier, Ingénieur-adjoint de 2è el. Chef de service. Commissariat du 4e Arondissement: Phaure, commissaire de 2c cl., com- missaire

Commissariat du 5e Arrondissement : Carpentier, commissaire de lère cl., commissaire

Surete: Alexandre, inspecteur ppal

de lère cl., ffons de Commissaire

B179

Epizooties: Dr. Lebon, veterinaire à

contrat

Service Medical: Dr. Fabry, mede- cine-chef d l'Hôpital Lalung-Bon- naire

Contributions Directes: Bosc, admin- istrateur-adjoint de 2è cl. des S.C., ffons de contrôleur

Conservation Fonciere: Rolland, con- servateur ppal de ière cl., conserva- teur

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 kingdom, and, 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, 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 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. Slavery, since its abolition by the French Treaty of 1884, has almost 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 the control of the French Administration, and paid from the treasury of this kingdom.

Phnom-penli, 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, ad- ministration of justice, customs, public works and taxes. Phnom-penh has been considerably improved under the present rule. 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 architecture, is a most remarkable building. The other prominent public buildings