The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-19
Tho French in Asia.

UtIH ttffl Ut itttiS NoUOt ttttt> viz - N~-'~-
campaign In Tonquin has been entirely
successful in q military point OF view, and
has placed France Ia q position TO dictate
her own terms to China IN the matter oil
opening up Annamite territory. The
threats OF the Marquis OF rs eng have
proved about as harmless and inehectuai
in dealing with the French Government
as had gongs and scarefaces in days
agone in dealing with European troops,
and Il does not seem probable that his
appeal 10 England TO mediate Is likely
to result in raising any practical BAR
rier to French designs regarding the ac-
QUESTION OF territory. Even were France
disposed 10 take mediation from England
in kindly spirit, the latter Power has her
hands too full for mediation except In
very mild way. With one war in progress
in the soudap, and possible war-cloud
rising In Central Asia, she would hardly
take any decided steps in the Franco-Chi-
nese embroglio unless 1t were apparent that
her interests would suffer seriously from
non-interference. At present it does not
appear that such would be the case.
Under the treaty Of Hue, AMMAN accept
ed the protectorate OF France. The condi-
tions Of this treaty were that France was
TO dictate the relations OF the Annan'te
Government with all foreign Powers, in-
Guiding China; certain territory was to be
annexed TO Cochin China; the French
were TO occupy various points OF AMMAN
lite territory, and French residents were
to be appointed In all the large towns in
Tonquin, with virtual supervisory power
over the Annamite mandarins administer
ing the government in which such
towns are located. 1t was further pro-
vided that France was TO maintain military
posts along the Red river in order TO So
cure its free navigation, and that she was
to guarantee the integrity Of AMMAN and
protect the King against all aggressions.
1t will be readily understood that this
treaty in itself gave France a tremendous
ioothold, but since the fall OF Bac-Nlnh 1t
seems probable that France will not only
enforce the terms Of the treaty for all they
are worth, but will make an occasion for
annexing the whole OF AMMAN and con-
verting it into French province.
However, whether any great and per-
manent advantage, such as was expect
ed from the expedition, will accrue to
France, remains an open question. On
this point there is a decided diversity OF
opinion. AS colonizing people the
French have never been success, and the
further they have penetrated into the coun-
try they are seeking to command the more
conflicting have become the reports as to
the practicability Of establishing CONNER
cial relations with ii without a charge upon
the French treasury, to which the French
people would not be willing to submit.
That the country is rich is not doubted,
and monopoly OF its trade would
be valuable. but it must be borne
in mind that portions OF 1t are
as near to the borders OF China
proper as they are to the proposed French
outlets, and that English influence and
English money can work through China
without involving the necessity OF English
governmental interference. In one as
pect OF the situation France has instituted a
commercial rivalry with England, the main
tenance of which necessitates the keeping
open by French arms, for some time at
least, of lines OF communication through
q country whose people are VIGOROUSLY
treacherous, and which is infested with
river-pirates and land-bandits. On the
other hand, England can reach the territory,
or greater portion Of it, through the me-
diums of diplomatic and business relations
and a wholesome recognition OF the SUI
premacy Of British arms already inspired.