The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-25
The War ofthe French and spaniards against
Cochin Ckfnn.


Cochin China.
by the last mail from Europe we learn that
the combined French and Spanish forces which
had been sent to Cochin China had landed at
Touran, one Of its most important ports and that
they had succeeded in taking the place without
the loss of a man. We are also informed that
the bay and river of Touran were held in a state
of effective blockade by the French Admiral, de
Genouilly, and that they had been so held since
the LIST of September. By this step France has
obtained foothold in the East, and it is but fair
to presume that she will re-establish herself in
the possessions which she once held in this coun-
try, and in that dominion which she now as
serts is for the protection of Christians and
the propagation of Christianity in this part of
Asia. The treaties which were effected by Rus
STA, England, the United States and France with
China, were entered into by the three first named
Powers of Christendom mainly on account of the
commercial advantages which it secured to them;
but the advantage which France derived was of
a religious character, in the opportunity which
it afforded her missionaries of preaching the Cos
pei there without danger Of persecution. This
was not all, however for France was DESTROYS in
this way Of establishing her power in the East,
and Of regaining the control which she had there
in the reign Of Louis XVI. In this movement,
as the reader is already aware, she is assisted by
Spain, and the capture Of Touran is prelimina-
ry step to the more important operations which
are to follow, and of which we have yet TO learn
the result
L L Cnobsn rhsno 20 IF
| the provinces Of the empire of Annam the others
being Cambodia and Tonkin. The Emperor of
| Annan--Tu- Due, as he Is named-is, like nearly
| all the Asiatic sovereigns despot, and
| he is said also to be both cruel and tyran-
mic. One of his predecessors, the Empe-
ror Gia Long, who is said to have
been protector of the arts and sciences, and
who was regarded as one of the most intelligent
| monarchs that ever reigned on the throne Of
I AMMAN, made treaty with the French by
| which they obtained possession of the territory
| along the borders Of the Bay of Touran, which,
| ms has been stated, has now fallen into their
hands. After the death Of Gia Long the French
missionaries who had established themselves in
| the country during his reign were expelled and
| the new Emperor, Mimi Mani, refused to see or
| to receive commander Of French vessel who
had been sent out by his government. A perse-
| cution was soon after commenced against the
! Christians and in 1927 an edict was issued
| against every missionary who should attempt to
| preach in the country. Six years after a mis-
sionary was executed, and the persecution of the
| Christians was carried on with extreme rigor.
The death Of Mimi Mani brought about no
change in the condition Of things for his success
sor. Thien-tri carried it on with still greater
violence and cruelty Notwithstanding this perse-
cution Christianity was making such rapid pro-
gress among the people that it is said as many
as thirteen thousand persons were baptized in
the year 1850. The execution Of Bishop Diaz,
in 1867, called for prompt and decisive mea-
sures on the part Of the French government, and
il was determined to send out such force as
would strike terror into the Emperor and en-
force the right of the missionaries TO preach the
Gospel unmolcsted throughout the country under
his rule. In this movement, as we have seen,
France has secured the cooperation Of Spain,
and the operations of their combined forces will
hereafter afford many an interesting chapter in
the history Of the progress of the Euro
pean Powers in the East. The posses
sions Of France in Asia, contrasted
with those Of England, are Insignificant,
and in India. which is almost wholly under
British rule, are confined mainly to Pondicherry.
There are others tits true, which she holds, but
this is the only one of much Importance.
Cochin China is considered among the most
fertile and productive countries in Asia, and
Touran, its principal port, is said to be one Of
the finest in the World. So productive is the
land that in many places it gives three crops
year, and yields rice and sugar in great album
dance. The other divisions Of the Empire Of
Annam Tonkin and Cambodia, are no less
fertile and productive, and the population Of
the whole country is variously estimated at
from five to twenty millions.
THE Pics PEAK AND FRASER RIVER GoLD