Evening star., 1947-04-06
CoIoniaIism vs.. NationaIism in Indo- China


regards Indo-C China as her richest
overseas territory.
As q producer Of rics-normally
accounting for three-quarters Of the
country's export income - Indo-
China markets . poorer quality at
a lower price than Siam and Burma.
The yields per acre have been un-
profitably low.
As q producer Of rubber and tin
Indo- China ranks far behind British
Malaga and Indonesia.
Under French administration, In
do -China's colonial value thus far
has been mainly that Of unrealized
potential.
A free Wet Nam republic embrac-
ing the coastal provinces Of Tonkin,
AMMAN and Cochin China would
have a much tougher road economi-
cally than the new Indonesian re-
public emerging in the Netherlands
East Indies.
Without French economical col
laboration, the revolutionary Wet
Nam state probably would sink into
a chaotic imitation which would
lower an already pitiful living stand
ard. Without a peaceful Wet Nam
political cooperation in a French
sponsored Indo-C Chinese union in
cluding the inland countries Of Cam
bodia and Laos, France cannot hope
for any profits on the investments
she has sunk into the country.
French Show Enterprise.
French enterprise and develop
ment was responsible for Indo-
China's exportable rice surplus.
without the immense drainage and
canal projects by which the French
have added nearly 100000 acres OF
rice-producing land in the Mekong
delta area of Cochin China, Indo-
China would have no rice to export.
In such physical projects as the
diking and draining Of Indo- -China's
rice-growing deltas, the French rec
ord is outstanding. In the social and
human sphere Of improving the lot
Of the peasant producer, the French
have made slow progress against the
Inertia of Asiatic tradition and psy-
chology.
French rubber growers lag be-
hind the Dutch and British plant
ers in scientific development. Of
high-yielding trees and in deliver
ing standard grades Of crude rub
Der.
Rich in Tin and Coal.
Indo- China's tin resources lie
mainly in Northern Laos. Thus far
Indo- China's tin mining develop
ment has been small scale because
transport costs are too great.
In the Hongay region on the Ton
kin coast Indo-C China has large de-
posits of the best coal in Asia-a
high-grade anthracite. When Chi
nese and Japanese markets were
open, Indo-C China exported two
thirds Of It's coal production. In
the Wet Nam rebellion the Wet
Namese inflicted considerable dam
age to the Hongay mines, seriously
curtailing their output capacity.
The greatest French investment
contribution toward Indo-China' S
economic development was in con-
struction of railroads and highways.
There are more than $500 kilo-
meters of rail lines, including line
from Saigon to Hanoi and from Sal
gon to Prom PENN, Cambodia's s
capital.
The French have been even more
prodigal in. road building with
nearly 10000 kilometers Of highways
completed.
Frances greatest sin IN Indo- China
was creation and continuance OF
state sponsored monopolies in
opium, alcohol and salt. Once es-
tablished as treasury supporters,
the monopolies persisted because
no alternative revenue sources
could be advanced. Not until the
French return after the japanese
surrender was opium traffic abol-
ished by decree.
Negotiation Obstacles.
Peaceful solution Of the Indo-
Chinese conflict will be difficult,
because both France and Wet Nam
must corcede much even to achieve
a basis for negotiation. The dis
trust, suspicion and hatreds reused
to passionate heights In the De-
cember rebellion must be cleared
away.
The French, n1ilitarily strength
ened by reinforcements from
France, have gained sole control Of
such key cities as Hanoi and
Haiphong - in which the Viea
Namese enjoyed equal governing
authority and free propaganda
opportunity before December 10.
Plainly, the French will not give
UP exclusive control Of Haiphone
and Eanoi and welcome back q
Wet Namese government without
satisfactory assurance that theil
essential interests are secure.
In announced political position,
the two sides now are about - fal
apart - II Is possible TO Be.
distributed y Ne Ai;eesassd Prsas.I