126 FRANCE, ANNAM, AND CHINA. 



if their number and the itaportance of the established relations prove the usefulness of 

 the measure. 



Article XII.— They may at the same time navigate and trade between the sea and 

 the Province of Yunnan by the way of Nhi-Ha, upon condition of the agreement 

 being regarded, and that they do not traf&c on the shores of the river between the sea 

 and Hanoi, and between Hanoi and the frontier of China. They will be able freely 

 to choose and engage for their service, interpreters, clerks, workmen, workshops, and 

 servants. 



Article XX. — In order to insure and facilitate the execution of the clauses and 

 stipulations of the present Treaty, His Excellency the President of the French 

 Republic will one year after its signature nominate a Resident having the rank of 

 Minister to His Majesty the King of Annam. The Resident will be charged to main- 

 tain amicable relations between the contracting parties, and to watch over the 

 conscientious execution of the articles fo the Treaty. 



The other clauses in the Treaty have reference chiefly to the 

 following subjects of more or less importance, Amnesty, Religious 

 Toleration, Trade and Commerce, Punishment of Criminals, Extra- 

 dition, Consuls, &c. This Treaty was supplemented by a Treaty 

 of Commerce and Navigation, into the details of which it is not 

 necessary to enter, as it was based on the aforesaid Treaty of 

 Peace. 



FROM 1881 TO 1884. 



We now approach the stirring, but the deplorable events of 

 recent years, events which naturally aroused not only the resist- 

 ance of China; but also the veiled hostility of England, and of 

 the other great Maritime Powers ; and it is not to be wondered at, 

 for this war in Tonquin, and the consequent outbreak of hostilities 

 with China, (which Jules Ferry did not admit was war), created a 

 grave crisis, bristling with great issues to the political and com- 

 mercial interests, and fraught with great dangers to the friendship 

 with France of the great Western Powers. 



We approach this delicate and critical state of affairs with no 

 feeling of jealousy or hostility to France, for, alas ! England's past 

 Colonial policy reveals much of wrongful usurpation of territory and 

 power, though of later years a juster and more righteous policy has 

 prevailed, as we have seen in the Transvaal, in Afghanistan, and 

 even in Egypt ; but we would approach the question impartially, and 

 in a spirit of justice all round, and animated by this spirit, judged 

 by this standard, examine calmly and dispassionately the causes 



