We have received, from an authentic source, news that affairs in Tonquin or Annam have settled, and that the Treaty between France and that power will very shortly be signed. As a very large number of our readers are probably unaware of the events which Jed to the state of affairs cul nating in the murder of Lieutenant Garnier, a slight sketch of the policy which France has of late pursued in that quarter may not prove uninteresting. A drama involving no slight consequences, both to Annam and to European Progress in this quarter of the world is now cing played out on a stage, small' indeed when compared to the vast empire on ite Northern boundaries, but still rivalling in importance; many European states. Thirty years ago, its population was estimated at fifteen ' millions, and it has probably increased since that date. Abounding in the precious metals, as well as copper and iron, and not ill-favoured as regards vegetable productions, Tonquin (which, strictly speaking, is the northern half of the Aunames territory) is a by no means despicable prize to any country strong enough to either annex it or establish a protectorate over it. That France, having established at Saigon a military point @appui, should cast her eyes towards Tonquin with somewhat longing fave favoured. her wishes to s probably un-lances, was not to be wondered at. Events
expected extent.
everybody knows, efforts have for a long time been made to find'a practicable route to Yunnan via the Lao Kai or Tonquin river. The length and inconvenience vt the only route hitherto open—that via Hankow—was sufficiently obvious, and at length an enterprising Frenchman resolved to see whether it could not be superseded. With this intent he essayed the passage by Tonquin and, as might have been anticipated, met with various obstacles and delays arising from the ill-will of the officials, who viewed with an unfriendly eye this effort by foreigners to open their territory, for the purpose of obtaining free access toa province in trading with which they had hitherto held the monopoly. With the people it was different. All accounts received, unite in justifying the account of them given
ill-favoured people, but extremely industrious former travellers asa shotty squat, and and good tempered." Added, however, to the hostility of the Annamite mandarins was the black mail levied by two Chinese rebel chiefs, who, having respectively established themselves on either side of the Tonquin-Yunnan border, added materially to the difficulties of penetrate ing into Yunnan. The pioneer Frenchman, however, was not a man to be turned by ti fies, and succeeded in making good his right of way, subject, however, to such detentions as the Annamese mandarins chose to impose, Wearied by their unyielding hostility, he solicited and obtained the aid of the French military colony at Saigon to support a demand of so many the as compensation for the alleged loss caused to him by Annamite obstructiveness. Lieutenant Garnier was despatched with some two hundred men on an expedition half military and half exploring, and after reaching the capital, seized and occupied a fort at Hanoi as security for his demands being complied with. Force being found useless to compel his withdrawal, treachery was resorted to. Certain Chinese rebels in the pay of the Annamese were instructed to decoy him from the shelter of the fort, under pretence of arranging the matter in demand, and he imprudently accepted the invitation," going either warmed or so slightly attended that surprise was easy. With the details of his death the public are now familiar, as also with the action taken by the Governor of Saigon to avenge it, and attain the ultimate objects of the expedition, which now, at all events, are the opening up' of Tonquin' to foreign travel and the establishment of a protectorate simnilar to that obtaining at Hué over the Tonquin territory. Some 230 men were immediately sent up to Hanoi, and Monsieur Renard has been appointed to succeed Lieut. Garnier—he having for some time held office at Saigon as Inspecteur des Affairs indigenes." Of course, it iv easy to foretell what will be the eventual upshot of all this. The French do not often relinquish a military post in a semi civilized country except for very cogent ce erations, and we shall not greatly err assuming that the Treaty shortly to be signed will yield some very material advantages to French interests.
But how ought Englishmen to regard this first step towards further French annexation in South-Eastern Asia? To us it seems that they have rather cause for approval than its reverse. If French enterprise opens up Tou-quin, and so gives us a trade route to Yunnan, i will have conferred an_appreciable benefit upon both the Chinese and European nations, England will probably regard the extension of 'a French protectorate to Tonquin with more than equanimity if the influence it confers be not used to hopelessly shut off Western China from the outer world, Did we believe that the French officials entertained such ideas w should be unwilling to view their such But they are, we believe, fully sensible of the fact that they can utilize such territory as they may acquire or influence, solely by encouraging trade, At Saigon they can do but little, because there is io market beyond it for what Europeans chiefly deal in. In' Tonquin, with Yunnan and Western China generally behind it, matters will be different, and we feel tolerably sure the French will have a sufficient appreciation of what is necessary to induce trade, to do so of a populous and mineralogically wealthy.
every means in their power. The future country is now in their hands. We shall be both surprised and disappointed if they do not use their opportunity to the best advantage. Their immodinte intention is we believe to take charge of the native customs and pay themselves an indemnity for the former claim and for Mr. Garnier's death. This will virtually give them control of the country.
We may add that, whereas under the existing Treaty, only "French, Spaniards, and Chinese are permitted to travel in Tonquin, the new treaty will, we understand, throw the country open to foreigners generally. If thie be the cate, the French will have noted with a commendable liberality which will strengthen the belief we entertain (hat their action in Tonquin will be of general benefit,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.