The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-09
FORM apparently, OF the King Tu-Duo's

form, apparently Of the King TU-DUo's
promissory notc.
The French garrisons, however. we're
speedily constrained in sclf-dcfcnce to en-
large the field OF occupation. Between them
and the sea lay three provinces under man
DARN government which had been made the
focus OF organized brigandage. Raids upon
European posts became inccssant, and when
the unwillingncss or inability of the AMMAN
tie court to restrain them became manifest,
these provinces were invaded. and after n
sharp contest Incorporated with the French
territory. Thus by the end ~ 1867 France
had become mistress Of all lower Cochin
China, and she had also assumed the pro-
tcc.orate OF Cambodia. on the west side of
the Mekong river; but her relation to that
Kingdom IL no closer than that Of the British
Crown toward the scmi-indcpcndent States
OF India. The development OF Cochin China
under French rule has been astonishing. In
1867 the population did not exceed half
million; in 1871 II was already million and
quarter, and IL Is now computed at upward
of two millions. Meanwhile the aggregate
foreign trade had risen from six million
four years later, and at present the COM
bincd imports and exports cannot fall short
OF three hundred millions.
Such was the suspicious promise OF an es-
tabishmcnt which would have proved in
British hands. the germ Of colonial em-
pirc. But destined, seemingly, to the fatal
miscarriage Of French enterprises beyond
sea, II has wholly failed to profit by fresh
occasions Of expansion. In ten years the
dependency has not gained foot Of ground.
and 1t Is still cncompasscd by the swamps OF
tho Cambodian delta Continual agrees
sion and bad faith on the part Of the AMMAN
ito authorities. and the sanitary interests
Of the establishment, would have justified
the annexation Of the dry and hcalthiul high
lands known as upper Cochin China. II is true
that the navigation of the Mekong Is OBJ
structed by numerous cataracts. and that
the hope of finding, In that river, n channel
for the China trade has for some time been
abandoned. These facts may partly account
for the failure 10 extend the colonial frontier
In this direction. But the recent surrender.
by treaty, of French conqucsts in Tonkn.
and of the Red river which unlocks tho rich
est part of the Chinese Empire, Is incxplica-
Europeans have practised in the East
The French were the first To- discover the
| commercial Importance Of the Red river. 1t
was proved navigablc by a Frcnchman
named DUPUIs, who transported to Yuunan
| 10y this channel a consignment Of arms, and
| delivered them to the Chinese Governor OF
that province On his return, he insisted on
sojourning near the mouth of the Song -koi,
Notwithstanding the prohibition Of King
! TU-DUC. What followed constitutcsa strik-
! ing chapter OF current history. Lieut.. GAR
SIER, despatched 10 investigate this matter,
was involved in hostilties. and presently
assassinated, but not before. with hundred
men, he had taken the principal cities and
| conquered large part OF Tonkin. AT the
| date Of the latest treaty, tho French were
masters of the mouth and lower course OF
the Rod river, and they might have pcrma-
ncntly held this invaluable vantage ground
We may be sure that Give or HASTINGS
would never have rclnqushed 1t.
BY the treaty to which we refer the French
: withdrew from Tonkin, gave up the project
~ hui,.'ng forts and factories on the Red
river. and at,"aed to immure themselves
horoof,ar within the marshes OF lower Co
chin China. They secured III return ratiil'
cation OF their claim to district Of when
for years they had kept undisturbcd pos.
session, and formal stipulation that the
Song-koi should be open To all commercial
nations. Recent experiments have proved
that the promise of King TU-DUc is a dead
letter. but under the terms Of the treaty the
navigation OF the water road Is no longer the
special concern Of France. II is an interna'
tiona question. France is no longer at lib
crty to seize great channel OF trade FOL
she has recognized its neutrality. Thus she
seems tohaye blocked with her own hand tn,
growth Of new Indian empire, and to hav,
once again attosted her unlitncss for colo
NAL enterprise.