ANNAM, OR ANAM.

Kumara Times, Issue 2066, 13 April 1883, Page 2

ANNAM, OR ANAM.

Our cablegrams to-day announce the outbreak of another war between the French and the Annamites. Since the war in 1859 and the ceding of three of the best and most southern provinces of Annam to the French,.the Buddhists of Annam and Laos have never been very friendly with their new neighbours. It was in consequence of the persecution of the Christians that war broke out with the French early in 1859, and on the 22nd April of that year, the French defeated the army of Annam, 10,000 strong, and 500 were killed. It was not until the 3rd of June, 1862, that peace was made, the conditions being that three provinces were ceded to the French, and toleration of the Christians granted. These provinces form what is known as the colony of French Cochin-China. But an insurrection in these provinces began about the 17th December in the same year, and was suppressed in the following February. Still the Annamites were dissatisfied, and sent ambassadors to Paris in September, 1863, with the view of regaining the ceded provinces ; but they had no success. The three provinces were annexed to the French empire by proclamation dated 25th June, 1867. Several native Christians were massacred by order of a bonze, or Buddhist priest, in 1868. By a treaty concluded on 15th March, 1874, at Saigon, the capital of the French colony, the independence of the king of Annam was recognised by France, the ports were opened to commerce, and toleration of the Christian religion was secured. The Kingdom of Annam and Laos, often designated Cochin-China, lies between China and Siam. It is about 1000 miles long, and its width varies from 60 to 300 miles; its area is estimated at 198,000 square miles, and the population at 22,000,000. The northern provinces of Annam proper and Tonquin are mountainous. The southern division is low* level, and very fertile. The principal river is the Me Khong or Camboja, which divides Annam from Siam. The sea coast is very extensive, and has numerous safe and roomy harbours. Nearly all the principal towns can be reached by water, and there are several large canals connecting the rivers inland. The mineral deposits are said to be rich, but they are yet undeveloped. As in Burmah and Siam, the vegetable products are extremely varied and valuable. The animals are the same as those of the South of Asia. The poultry are the finest in the East, and, having been lately introduced, now thrive in most countries of Europe. The people are robust, active, and intelligent, and excel in many manufactures, as silk and cotton goods, lacquered ware, and firearms, and in the construction of junks. They are of mixed Chinese and Malay origin, and Buddhist in religion. The French have lately obtained great influence in the country; and the southern provinces on the delta of the Me Khong are under lhem as a colony. The northern part of Annam, including Tonquin, is governed by a native king. The southern parts form the French settlement of Lower CochinChina and Western Independent Cambodia (or Camboja), over which the French have established a protectorate. The chief towns are : in Tonquin—Kachao (population 80,000); in Cochin-China— Hue (population 100,000). Tonquin in a most important port, as by a new route recently discovered by the French up the Tonquin River, steamers can reach Kachao, the capital, and the heart of the rich mineral country. It is distant five to six hundred miles from Hong Kong, from whence the French, English, and naval squadrons are, we learn, proceeding. Hud is also a very important port, being centrally situated as a coast town at the head of the Gulf of Tonquin, where it connects with the China Sea. Some time ago the Chamber of Commerce at Saigon proposed the annexation of Tonquin to France. It was at Tonquin that a French missionary bishop, Melchior, was murdered with great barbarity on the 27th July, 1858. The abbe Neron was also murdered there on the 3rd November, 1860.