Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-14
An OLD COUNTRY NEWLY rRomIsHNr

The dispatches have recently frequently
spoken of "the Tonquin difficulty" So
great length OF time has elapsed since the
section referred to was made prominent in
the news of the world, that rapid sketch
of the country and the causes out of which
its present complications with France arise
may prove of interest. The kingdom Of
AMMAN is in the southeastern part of Asia.
1t extends from the most southerly bound
airy of China south along the eastern shore
of the peninsula of Farther India, touching
the China Sea on the south, its easterly
coast being washed by the waters of the
Gulf of Tong King. The northerly divi-
sion-thas next the Chinese border-is
Tonquin or Tong King. Comparatively
very little has been known of the country.
Its policy has been, like that of China, one
of exclusion, and iu this respect it has been
more secretive than the former nation. It's
northern region is mountainous. The
Sang Koi is the largest of its rivers and
fertilizes large and valuable tract Near
the coast and between the several rivers,
all of which flow into the Gulf of Tong
King, the land ia low and swampy. The
southerly frontier is marked by wall
separating Tonquin from the province of
Cochin China. At one time Tonquin was an
independent principality, but some eighty
years ago was united with the kingdom of
AMMAN. The south division of this king
dom is known as Cochin China, and COM
pletes the esst coast of the peninsula. In
1855, the French, on account of alleged
cruelty TO the Bishop Of Diaz, in Tonquin,
demanded reparation. This being refused,
a force was sent out and captured Saigon,
and a French colony was planted. The
area of Tonquin is about $1,000 square
mileg, and it embraces the richest part Of
the Annamese kingdom. Its mountains
ana clothed with forests of the most valuable
timber. The river Sang Koi, ormore lately
known as the Red River, has, for several
hundred years, been famed for gold. bear.
ing sands, that are brought by its current
from the mountains on the northern and
western frontier. About q year ago 9
French geologist penetrated to these
mountains, and his reports lead to the con-
cIusion that the collaborating rock OF the
upper lands, from which the Red River de-
scends, is richer far than any yet discov-
cred in the world. There are in the Ton
quin region also exceedingly large and val
liable deposits of iron, copper, tin, coal and
salt, and latterly there has been large ex.
portation of these products. There are also
exports OF aromatic woods, cinnamon, cot
ton, tobacco, silk, rice, sugar, indigo,
gums, geIatinous animal substances, as tbs
5ecAe de-mer. The Annameee are light
hearted people. low in stature, strong, pos
sessed of great endurance, and are reccg
mixed as link between the Malayans and
Chinese. They live chiefly on fish and
rice. The Annamess army is rude
organization of about seventy thou
sand men, but i'll armed. The popula
tion of Toneuin is variously estimated a
from 10000, 900 to 100000. 1t is prob
able that even the smaller figure is exag
geratiou; but that there is dense popnla
ton is a certainty. In 1874 France con
cIuded treaty with the King of Auaan
guaranteeing the latter his independence
of all foreign powers. The treaty pro
vidsd that Haiphong, on the Tonquin coast