Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-03

DEATH o. KING TgDgC.
The death of King Tuduc, the ruler
OF AMMAN, will undoubtedly further
oomplicate the already serious difficulty
OF attaining satisfactory settlement Of
the Tonquin question During his long
reign, which began as far hack as the
year 1876. and which will be recollected
In the national annals for its misfor-
tunes, he was several times called upon
to witness the disintegration of his do
minions and the weakening of his au-
thorlty: but he retained until the last
his pride, which, with an Oriental ruler.
often proves good substitute fer
power.
Tuduc was theIgrandson of the :great
Emperor Gialong, who founded the
present dynasty in AMMAN at the end of
tie last century, and who reigned him
self until the year 1870. He was sue
ceeded by his second son, MINI Maug.
who was in turn succeeded by his two
sons. Tuduc, the younger of these, be-
gan his reign in the year 1876. and his
accession to the throne was celebrated
In the usual way by the arrival of Chi
nese Ambassador from Pekin, charged
With the mission of investing him with
the signs of this royal position. Not
withstanding this auspicious beginning,
it soon became clear that Tuduc's reign
vas not to be one of tranquility, and
disturbances in Tonquin were not more
the cause of disquietade than the in
trigues OF many of his principal minis
ters and eourtiers. Little interest would
be felt in these domestic affairs were il
not known that the rival ministers
availed themselves of the influential
position acquired by French and Span
ish missionaries of the Roman Catholic
religion TO assail these fore gn priests,
and to denounce the numerous converts
they bad made as enemies to the State
1t ia doubtful If Tuduc possessed the
inclination to pursue the wise and tenn
perate policy of his grandfather
in matters Of religion, aud he
he has certainly lacked the power
and resolution to oppose the coun-
sci of his sfaunc eat personal sup
POrters. The prosecutions which had
not been absent from the .eigns of his
father and brother who had preceded
him OF the throne. broke out with re-
neved fury after his accession. Many
French and Spanish missionaries lost
their lives. and thousands of native con-
verts were ruthlessly massacred. When
war was declared upon China by the
allied powers in 1853, the French gov
ernment availed Itself of these circum-
stances to assert its dormant claims on
the king of AMMAN under the provis-
ions OF treaty granted by Gialung
three quarters of a century before. A
Franco-Spanish expedition was sent to
the coast, and, after some fighting.
Tuduc agreed to stigma treaty of peace,
surrendering greater p0rtionOf Lower
Cochin, China, ~ France. Scarcely had
he concluded this disastrous war with
foreign power in a way least injurious
to his interests, than he was called upon
to encounter a serious uprising OH the
part of the people of Tonquin, made
discontented by the high handed acts
of his officials, and anxious to RESTORE
member OF their former ruling family
to the throne. That action would in all
probability have met with success bat
for the vigorous measures of Tuduc's
general, the Marshal Tri Phuong.
When peace had been restored by his
efforts 30 the Delta of the Songcoi, the
Annamese ruler found fresh difficulty
staring him in the face from the French
desire TO gain not merely footh0ld on
the coast of TOnquin, bat even a right
of way through his dominions into
China. At that time Tuduc's policy
WAS really guarded by the Marshal Fri
Phuong, ON whose honesty of purpose
he depended quite as much as on his
vaior and military skill. But neither
the general nor Is master was able 10
prevent the French under GARNER en-
deavoring to settle the matter after q
vigorous fashion, and result satisfac-
tory 10 themselves; aud the death of
the Marshal Tri Phuong from NORTH
cation mt the loss of Hanoi, and the ap-
parent success or the French plans left
ruduc on his own resources, and with
out any prudent or experienced adviser
to help him in his distress. Ii was then
that he inclined in a more marked man
ner than ever to the Chinese alliance.
and sought counsel as we'll az active aid
from Pekin to assist him oat of his
difficulties. The trouble which had be-
set him in one form or other from the
very beginning of his reign showed no
sign OF abatement or of clearing of to-
wards tie end. Indeed, for him per-
sonaliy, whatever the result of the
French operations may finally bc, the
outlook during the last months OF his
life. Was particularly discouraging. and
history may ave TO recoSd Of him that
he was even fortunate in dying on the
eve of greater national misfortunes.
His death must have the certain effect
OF encouraging the French to proceed
still further with their enterprise, and
in that sense it may be considered
misfortune as being calculated to fur
nish them with further excuse for Of
fering increased caAses of provocation
TO the Government Of China.