No. 483.
Mr. Halderman to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Legation of
the United States,
Bangkok, March 15, 1883.
(Received May 24.)
No. 27.]
Sir.: The Haiphong correspondent of the Hong-Kong
Press writes to that journal, under date of 21st February last passed, that
five hundred French troops had reached that port, and that seven hundred and
fifty more were expected to arrive shortly.
From the letter, copy of which is herewith sent, it appears that the Chinese
troops have been withdrawn, and that all serious difficulties in the way of
the French occupation of Tonquin have been effectually removed.
Trouble may be expected in clearing the Song-Koi River of the dacoits and
outlaws who infest it, but Annam’s new suzerain will hardly permit this
great water-way to the western provinces of China to remain much longer
locked against foreign commerce.
The French protectorate of Tonquin means probably annexation in due time.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 27]
the french in tonquin.
Haiphong, February 21,
1883.
Printed letter from the Hong-Kong
Press.
Yesterday the French transport La Correze arrived with five hundred men
for the long-promised expedition. She went to Fietylong Bay, where the
troops and war material will be taken off to this port by the gun-boats
Parceval and Hamelirt and French steamer Saltse, as La Correze cannot
enter here, owing to her draught of water. It is said that La Creuze
will follow her with seven hundred and fifty men, but for this report I
cannot vouch. We shall then have a force of some three thousand men
here, with artillery in proportion, and all the gun-boats, a very
considerable force, taking everything in consideration.
This time it seems there will be no bloodshed. It appears that everything
has been smoothly arranged. An Annamite embassador has been here from
Hué, commanding the different Annamite forts, to surrender without a
shot. There will thus only be an occupation, and postes militaires established at Namdinh, Hai-Duong, and the
principal Annamite strongholds perhaps. Any how, the occupation will be
far better for everybody concerned.
There is, of course, much excitement here, and a good deal of enthusiasm
among the French.
I hear from Pakhoi that the last bodies of Chinese troops that were
menacing the onquinese frontier have been embarked at that port on board
a Chinese gun-boat for anton, a proof that the Peking authorities have
come to an understanding with the ench minister there.
