1917

ANNAM
The Kingdom of Annam is under French protection. It extends along the Eastern*
coast of the large Indo-Chinese peninsula, between Cochin-China on the South, Cam-
bodge and Siam on the West, Tonkin on the North, and the China Sea on the east.
It is an extensive territory bordered by a chain of granite mountains covered with forests
and having well-watered and fertile plateaux.
The kingdom is administered by a Privy Council whose members are nominated by
the Sovereign. Each Ministry has the assistance of a Council. Since the Treaty of 6th.
June, 1884, France has had a resident superieur at Hue. For administrative purposes
Annam is divided into 14 provinces: Than-Hoa (Th-H), Nghe-An (Yinh), Ha-Tinh
(H-T), Quang-Binh (Dong-Hoi), Quang-Tri (Q-T), Thua-Thien (Hue), Tourane, Quang-
Nam (Faifo), Quang-Ngai (Q-Ngai), Binh-Dinh (Qui-Nhon), Kon-Toum (B.T.), Nha-Trang
(Nh-Tg), Binh-Thuan (Phan-Thi^t) Langbian (Dalat). The agricultural land bordering
on the coast is almost exclusively devoted to the culture of rice, of which two crops a
year are raised. Imports consist of products for consumption such as flour, wine,
liquors, rice, spice, also iron manufactures, all kinds of hard wood, articles de luxe,
cotton goods, etc., the annual value being about 7,250,000 francs, of which about one-
fifth come from France and Indo-China. Exports comprise silk, raw and filatured, silk
manufactures, and waste silk, ginned cotton, lace, cinnamon, gummed lacquer, oil
d’arachides, precious woods, ox hides and horns, dried and salt fish, etc.
HUlfc
Hue, the capital of the kingdom of Annam, and the seat of government, is situated
about 12 km. from the sea on a large but scarcely navigable river named Huong-giang,.
and called by the French the Hue river, which debouches on the coast in about lat. 16* deg.
29 min N., and long. 107 deg. 38 min. E. The grand mountain chain of Annam, rising
in four successive lines, approaches the coast North and South, forming round the town
an immense belt broken only by the sea, giving to the city a smiling and picturesque
aspect. Hue consists of two distinct parts on each side of the river. On the left bank
is the citadel, an immense quadrilateral, measuring on each side 2,400 metres with the
front bastioned after the type of the fortifications at Yauban. Within are the palace
of the King and the offices of the Annamite Ministers. Tourists are allowed to visit
the palace on obtaining a pass from the French administration. Inside the palace is a
very interesting museum of ancient Annamite works of art (chiefly gold and jade
jewellery). The palace is kept in good order and visitors will find it very interesting.
On the right bank of the river are the official buildings of theFrench government, and the
houses of the European officials and merchants. The population of the city and suburbs
is estimated at 52,000, of whom about 232 are Frenchmen, and 500 Chinese. The -
environs of Hue are picturesque and pleasing. A favourite excursion is to the tombs
of the old kings of Annam, some few miles from Hue. The buildings are magnificent in
the style of the tombs of the Chinese Emperors.