New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-10
SLAVERY ~ EASTERN COLONIES.
Az INHUMAN TRAFFIC IN NEW CALEDONIA AND
THE ISLAND OF REUNION.

AN INHUMAN TRAFFIC IN NEW CALEDONIA AND
THE ISLAND OF REUNION.
American occupation OF the Philippines and the
employment there by the military government OF
Chinese and other coolies have melted some jealous
critics to find fault with the management OF these
Eastern aborers by the military and civil authors
ties in the Islands. Such un.ounded criticisms have
been answered already in satisfactory manner
by many writers and experienced men, who proved
that the coolies employed by Americans In the
Philippines were there OF their accord and FREQ
will and that they not treated ike slaves. as
is TOO often the case in European colonies OF the
Far East
This is especially true OF French colonies in that
part OF the world. where. according to lie Matin,"
a Ministeralist organ at Paris French officials do
openly what the French press was won't TO re-
proach in the British agents In West Africa. II
must be noted that for years the oiious coolie
traffic in the French colonies had been forbidden
and that it re-established in 1895 by the con-
nivance Of NJ Andre Lebon. tina, French Minister
who aggravated the sufferings OF Captain Dreyfus
by his orders Guiana. as. for instance. or
dering the building around the captives hut and
ground OF fence which closed TO him the soothing
sight OF the II is the pro-slavery Lebon
who had ordered that a special metallic comm
should be to DEVILS Island that Dreytuss body
could be placed inside and transported to France in
a perfect state OF preservation that II could be ex-
hibited and the people would not charge the Gov
with setting the prisoner free and present.
ing dummy dead man in his stead. Dispatches
stated recently that the Governor Of Guiana had
cabed after Dreyfus's departure TO know what
should be done with this metalli, coffin.
The ferocous Leb0n is no longer Minister OF the
Navy, but his successors have followed his policy in
regard 10 the labor contracts signed by coolies and
the real slavery which contracts tied them
II Is 10 be hoped that It will be different under
the present waldeck- Rousseau Cabinet. in which
NJ. de Lanessan holds the portfolio OF the Navy and
VI. Decrais that OF the Colonies Both OF these
Ministers have consult and agree together gener-
ally in regard 10 colonial matters They will have
TO abolish the system OF cooe engagements and la
Dor. which had hourshed between 1880 and 1895. had
been stopped 1895 and 1895 and then allowed
again by Minister Lebon.
The new slave trade In yellow coolies OF the Far
East conducted follows: Some French colo
MES in need Of laborers for agricultural,
mining and other kinds OF work The problem was
TO transport. with the greatest economy, laborers
from Tonqun. AMMAN and other overpopulated
French provinces. The men might be "engageA'
that Is, contracted, or ex-convicts. group OF
merchants In Southern France-Marseilles and Bor-
deaux-launched themselves In that profitable
speculation in 1889. Chinese operated recruiting
agents. that their promises should be better
credited by the TonQulnese and Annamltes. belong
ing TO the yellow The recruiters re-
ceived 81 for each engage" they secured. IL cost
Tonquin, Noumea in New caledonia. the princ-
pal market for these slaves. In the latter place
given up-sOld really-to a colonist, for .
price. varying according to the age and strength
Of the subject between $50 and 800 francs, or Q
profit for the trader OF from 81 435 francs. Ves-
sells Of Bordeaux firm transported cargoes OF hve
hundred seven hundred laborers.
The Chinese who had engaged" these men prom.
ised them seven francs 4 month for five six
years after which they would be free 20 return to
with their savings. They signed the contract with
out being able 10 understand the French language.
Of H. and they embarked never TO return for their
contract did not provide FOR that. Once. however.
the Governor Of TOnquin ordered their repatriation
The shipping company made an effort. In order to
preserve the confidence OF the natives, and prom
ised that eighty-four Annsmites, they having I'm
ished the term Of their labor contract, would be
brought back from New-Caledonia. Only hfty-nye
were disembarked the others having succumbed to
the priva tons and sUferngs OF the voyage. for
the food allowance OF these engaged laborers on
board the vessel is even less than that OF trans
ported convicts
In 1895 VI de Lanessan. now Minister Of the
this monstrous traffic after having been enght-
ened upon the subject by reports OF his own
agents and by those Of the penitentary adminstra-
don But great efforts were made IN Paris and at
Bordeaux after VI. de Lanessans departure rom
Tonquln. TO obtain the reOpenng OF the cooie
transportation trade. Il was permitted again ana.
donia and al the Island ~ Reunion. In the bourses
OF Noumea and Saint Denis. veritable cours,' or
market Of human merchandise on the arrival or
the vessels from Tonquir. governed by the NUMBER
and the strength OF the subjects included In the
cargo"