134 FRANCE, ANNAM, AND CHINA. 



difficult task, the restoration of order and peace in Annam and, 

 Tonquin, and the consolidation of her recent conquests, which already 

 had cost her very dear. 



One of the most serious omissions in the Treaty of Peace with 

 China, signed at Pekin, 9th June, 1885 was, that no provision was 

 made for the " Black Flags," as it was important for France, 

 especially at this juncture, to get rid of such dangerous neighbours ; 

 but no arrangement was made, and in consequence she had to face 

 the difficulty of insurrection, and to prepare for a conflict against 

 them, in order to secure a complete pacification of her newly acquired 

 Colony. 



Moreover, the Government of China should have provided for 

 Liu-Yung-fu, the leader of these guerilla forces, fighting under the 

 Chinese Flag, as well as for his soldiers, if for no other reason, from 

 motives of gratitude, as it was indisputable that they had borne the 

 brunt of the French invasion across the Chinese frontier ; but, unfor- 

 tunately, when the Terms of Peace were under consideration and 

 finally agreed upon, Liu-Yung-fu, and his army of " Black Flags," 

 who fought so heroically for their Suzerain, were forgotten. 



This Serious omission was soon realised by the French Govern- 

 ment, when it was too late, and consequently there was but one 

 course open to them, to deal vigorously with the unsatisfactory state 

 of affailrs in the newly conquered provinces, by despatching to the 

 East, an Officer of the highest rank, and investing him with com- 

 plete military authority in Annam, as well as Tonquin ; and for this 

 position General De Courcy was selected, and to prevent any chance 

 of difficulty the French Minister at Hub was withdrawn. 



When General De Courcy arrived in Tonquin, the people were 

 still in arms around the delta of the Red River, and the " Black 

 Flags," with their leader, Liu-Yung-Fu, held the whole of the north- 

 west of Tonquin. 



Tonquin was in a frightful state, given over to anarchy and rapine, 

 and General De Courcy, instead of directing his efforts in Tonquin, 

 went to Hufe, the capital of Annam, where tolerable order reigned ; 

 for though Tu-Duc was on the Throne, the French officials governed, 

 the usual amount of intrigue went on, no harm was done, and the 

 future of Annam could well have been allowed to rest until peace 

 was restored in Tonquin. 



General De Courcy's arrival at Hufe with a large escort caused 

 much excitement, which was followed by the attack on his residence, 

 and by an outbreak in the city, but which was ultimately suppressed ; 



