The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-03
The French in Tongking.

The French in Tongking.
It would seem that the French are trying
10 compensate themselves for the loss Of
their traditional influence in Egypt and the
Levant by acquisitions in, other quarters Of
the globe The DUCLERc Ministry has al
ready frightened its grasp on Tunis; it has
hastened to profit by the concessions secured
Tor 1t by NJ DE BRAzzA In the Congo region,
and 1t has laid claim to a positive ascendancy
In Madagascar. The latest movement in
this direction was made on Thursday Of last
week, when the Chamber Of Deputies was
notified that q bill would be introduced for de-
veloping and strengthening the French pro-
tectorate over Tongking. The last-named
measure Is by far the most important, for 1t
aims not only at the annexation OF the most
fertile part OF Farther India, but at the con-
troll Of the true channel Of trade with the
southwestern part OF the Chinese empire.
When southern Cochin China was annexed
70 France in 1862, 1t was supposed that the
Heikong River, which descends from the
mountains Of Thibet, and discharges itself
through French territory into the China Sea,
would afford a practicable route to Yunnan
and the rich and populous districts in the
west OF the Middle Kingdom. But this river
proved unnavgable. and 1t was presently
discovered that the natural highway Of COM
munication with Yunnan Is the SOng-Koi, or
Red River, which empties into the Gulf Of
Tongking. The first to explore the new route
was Frenchman named DUPUIs, who sailed
down the river from Chinese territory to the
mouth, and subsequently 1878 assembled it
with q cargo Of arms, which he delivered to
the Mandarins engaged in putting down the
Tacping rebellion. His experiments demon
Strated that the navigation OF the Song-Koi
becomes practicable at the town Of Man.
ghao, which is we'll within the Chinese
frontier. Between this point and Laokai,
some seventy miles lower down, there are
rapids Of doubtful practicability for steam
ers, but none which cannot be surmounted
by the native boats.
The Annamese officials ct Hanoi (the CAPT.
tai Of Tongking) refused to permit DUPUIs to
make another voyage to Yunnan, and the re-
suit Of their opposition was that the colonial
Government OF French Cochin China in the
autumn Of 1873 sent a small expedition to in
sist upon the opening Of Hanoi and the Red
River to trade The commander OF the force,
which only comprised 212 men and II guns,
was FRANCIS GARNER, who had already been
highly distinguished rs an explorer, and
whose exploits in Tongking have never
been parallelcd except by those Of CoRTEz
In Mexico and PIZARRO In Peru. On Nov.
20. 1879 GARNER, falling to obtain tho de-
sired concessions from the Annamese author
tiles, took the citadel Of Hanoi by assault,
and within thirty days gained possession Of
the whole delta Of tho Red River. He had,
In fact, conquered Tongking, but the French
colonial officials were afraid to ratify his
acts, and after he was slain in battle his con-
quests were surrendered. In consideration
Of their return, however, the Annamese Gov
eminent signed treaty on March Is, 1874.
by which three ports in Tongking and the
whole course OF the Red River were thrown
open to foreign trade Other clauses Of this
treaty virtually established a French protec-
torate over Tongking though no such name
was given to the species of ascendancy &C.
Quired. For example, French consular agents
were to be appointed at the several open
ports, with authority over foreign resi-
dents, OF whatever nationality. Frcnchmen
or other foreigners desiring to travel in the
interior must procure passport, to be
granted by French official. Disputes be-
tween Frenchmen and other foreigners or
between foreigners and foreigners, were TO
be settled by French tribunals; and disputes
between foreigners and Annamese by French
and Annameso magistrates sitting together
while crimes committed by Frenchmen or
other foreigners on Annamese territory were
TO be judged at Saigon, the capital of French
Cochin China
Consuls were appointed and custom officers
sent to Haiphong and Hanoi, in pursuance OF
this treaty, and on Sept. Is, 1875, Tongking
was declared open to foreign commerce
But the treaty's most important clause has
not been executed, and some of its provis
ions gave great offence to European powers
Though seven years have elapsed since tho
Red River was declared open rs far as tho
frontiers Of Yunnan, it's waters are Still
closed to foreign commerce, owing, appa
rcntly, to the unsettled state Of the country
and tho inability Of the Annamesc authori
ties to put down the river and land pirates
who infest the Chinese frontier. On tn,
other hand, European Governments are un
willing to allow their subjects residing il
Tongking to DO subjected to the jurisdiction
OF French agents, 80 long as TIN
country is nominally Independent. nov
treaty was therefore demanded, explicit!
asserting French protectorate and author
king the Fronch TO establish order along tn