M. de Freycinet has published in the Gazette his scheme
for the administration of Anam and Tonquin. He proposes to place a Resident, M. Paul Bert, at the capital, Hu6, and to appoint two Assistant Residents, one at Had and the other at Hanoi. Each of these latter gentlemen will control Custom- houses and public works, while the Resident will " stimu- late " the Anamite , Mandarins into a policy of good government. The expenses are to be paid out of the local revenues, aided by a fixed subsidy from France, the amount of which is not stated. The military question is not touched, but it is known that the permanent French force is to be reduced to 10,000 men. This is neither more nor less than the old scheme of the English in Bengal, which failed hopelessly, just as it is now failing in Egypt. The interference irritates the people as much as conquest would, while they are not soothed by the regular taxation, impartial justice, and personal safety which follow European annexation.
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