Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-26
Some Account OF Hanoi.


The town Of Hanoi, which more than ever
since their late repulse represents the principal
position of the French in Tonquin stands upon
q site that has always been recognized as the
most suitable for their capital by the people Of
that country. The excellence of its situation is
proved by its relation to the different branches
OF the songkoi, for, as its very appropriate
name signifies, it stands Gin the midst Of the
rivers" Lying on the right bank Of the Bode,
or the principal stream of the Red river-the
ancient TOnquinese name, 1t may be added, for
the whole river, and the one used on the earliest
maps OF the French missiOnaries-it is also in
close proximity with the Songhat branch flow-
ing into the Gulf of Tonqun few miles south
OF the important town of Ninbinh; while the
SOngkOi canal connects the capital with the
northern or Thaibnh branch, on which ia to be
found the town of Haidzuong. Considering the
Importance, as means of internal and external
communication, of these three branches of the
same river, and also Of the numerous other
canals and streams in the delta, which it would
only weary and confuse the reader to attempt
to name, it will be allowed that the Tonquinese
showed good Judgment in placing their capital
at Hano and the impression will be confirmed
by closer scrutiny of that town itself.
The name OF the original founder of Hanoi has
not been preserved. But in the wars Of the last
century, which resulted, after many vicissitudes
OF fortune, in the triumph Of the Nguyen dy-
nasty UlalOOS, IL lOSC the
pre-eminence that had been tacitly allowed it
for many previous centuries. The TOnquinese
kingdom was absorbed in an Anamese empire.
and Hanoi. from being the capital, sank into
kesho, or 1.-THE market place" Of a tributary
province. But although the royal residence
ana the seat OF government were removed to
Hue. the Emperor GialOng was too prudent to
neglect any precaution toward maintaining his
authority among the secretly disaffected and
naturally turbulent people Of Tonquin. He
therefore strengthened the defenses Of Hanoi,
and, with the aid of the French officers who had
contributed so much to his success, he made 1t
and several other towns In the delta as we'll for
tresses OF considerable strength, allowing for
the conditions Of the country. AS elsewhere in
this region. the commercial and inhabited town
lies on the river bank, while the fortified portion
Is situated inland. At Hanoi the Notifications
are only more elaborate and on larger scale
than at the other towns; and the French have
derived great reputation as we'll as immediate
advantages from the possession of what is I'M
questlonably the strongest place in Tonquln. In
form the citadel Is square with bastions at the
angles and also along the face OF the ramparts.
Each side measures three-quarters Of a mile in a
straight lne and the extent of the Notifications
all round is not less than four miles. The walls
are very solidly built in masonry, resting on
Weil.secured Foundation not less than twenty
1eet broad, While wide and deep ditch sur
rounds the place The most conspicuous object
In the citadel Is lofty tower whence view is
obtained OF the whole surrounding country
There are five gates, two of which are on the
south side: ana each is protected by retian.
but OF such defective construction as to be OF
little military value; and this weak point is rem
dered the more serious from the five bridges
crossing the mOat to the different gates being
solidly built Of brick. and being consequently
lmmovable. This fact sufficiently explains the
ease with which the French have twice cap
t9red what Is undoubtedly In many respects q
place of strength.
Another popularity in the situation of Hanoi
consists IN the character Of the surrounding
country Only a few yards beyond the northern
wall OF the citadel, and stretching far to the
west, Is vast lake or reservoir. This forms an
obstacle to the direct progress of the French on
Sunday, and explains why they have to proceed
througn the villages west of Hanoi In order to
reacn that place. Four smaller reservoirs, but
sun OF considerable dimensions, occupy most of
the country Immediately south Of the citadel,
and the intervening space is utilized for the cul-
tivation OF rice. Indeed, Hanoi may be said to be
surrounded by water and rice-helds; but, by Pc
culiar arrangement, the town ramparts have
Deen drawn round the reservoirs on the south and
many OF the rce-helds as well. The circumfer-
ence Of the town walls, which do not face the
river front. is not less than ten miles. Ofcourse
Tue french nave never attempted to hold this
vast extent OF what is known as town. They
are content even now to occupy the citdaela alone,
and many of their encounters with the enemy
nave been fought in the villages lying just out
side the further ramparts NJ. GARNER, for in
stance, fell Immediately outside them, near the
village OF Thute; his lieutenant, NJ Balmy,S at
another village further on, halfway on the road
to Phukat. The French were reported q few
weeks ago..to have taken step, calculated toim-
prove their military position, II not to inspire the
natives with much affection for them personally.
The glacis Of the citadel had in the course Of
years been encroached upon by the inhabited
portion OF the town, and the French commander
recently ordered the inhabitants Of the CONNER
cial city to leave when he intended to burn such
houses as interfered with the efficient defences
OF the place. That Is matter entirely within
his competence as q military commander; but
we are unable to say positively how far hehas
carried his threat into execution. There is no
reason to doubt, however. that the French. who
knew ten years ago Of the defects Of the citadel
OF Hanoi, have taken all the steps to repair
them; and. as they have now insured the
safety OF their communication with the sea by
the capture Of Haidru0ng, they can in all
probability maintain themselves at Hanoi for an
indefinite period