ANNAM

[s. 61] : A kingdom under the protectorate of France, occupying the most eastern portion of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, east of Siam and southeast of Burma. Area, 30,000 square miles. Surface, irregular and mountainous. Rivers numerous, and, altho too shallow for navigation, most useful for irrigation. country produces an abundance of The rice, sugar, and tropical fruits. The Annamese are somewhat akin to the Chinese in language and spices, in many of their important customs, but they also partake largely of the Malay characteristics, and evidently form a link between the Mongolian and Malay races. They are generally quiet and inoffensive, indolent and fond of gayety. The women are much oppre ed, but not obliged to live in seclusion. The religions are Buddhism, Christianity. Con fuci an ism, Spiritism, and Annam is governed by an emperor, with a French resident to guide his policy. Mandarins appointed by the emperor govern the provinces and control the standing army, which is comparatively large. The capital of the country is Hu^, on a river of the same name. The early history Annam is involved in obscurity; it is only AitrtrcTVB Antanunai’iT’O the 17th century, when Annam was prosperous, the Jesuits (among them celebrated Jesuit mi ionary, Alexander von Rhodes, who came there in 1615) introduced Christianity, and in spite of much persecution propagated it with such energy that at the close of the 18th century French priests had converted the emperor and established a hierarchy of great influence. Later, however, these doctrines were rejected by the emperors, and the priests and converts persecuted. One em- In most the per or, Tu-Due, was especially opposed to Christianity, and the murder of several mi ionaries, between 1854 and 1858, served as pretext for the acquirement of a French colony in the a French fleet was sent by which succeeded in capturing several important towns, and, altho the Annamese made stout resistance, the French succeeded in dictating terms of peace by which they became po e ors of three provinces. These remain their po e ion under the name of Indo-China, the only important French In 1858 Napoleon III., East. m colony in the East. By this treaty three ports in Tonquin were opened, and Christianity was permitted throughout Annam. An insurrection occurred in 1862, which was quelled by the French. There are no Protestant mi ions in Annam, the only mi ionaries being of the Roman Catholic Church. In the entire kingdom of Annam, with a population numbering C1901) 6,124,000, there are 420,000 Catholics, under the care of 125 European and 264 native priests, in 7 apostolic vicariates. Tonkin, or France in the Far East, Norman (C. B.), London, 1884; Peoples and Politics of the Far East, ibid., London. 1895. 61