France Sends More Troops to Vietnam

But this was only the beginning of troubles to the French.

Continuing France Acquires Vietnam,
our selection from Europe and the Far East by Sir Robert Kennaway Douglas published in 1904. The selection is presented in five easy 5 minute installments. For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Previously in France Acquires Vietnam.

Time: 1882
Place: Hanoi

So much had been gained by peaceable measures. But M. Philastre’s methods were soon disregarded. The French Government was recovering from the war of 1870, and, having entered upon a policy of colonization, determined to claim a protectorate over Tonquin. At this time M. Rochechouart was the French Minister at Peking; and it became his duty to inform Prince Kong of the situation toward which affairs were drifting in Vietnam. But, in face of the suzerainty that China possessed over Vietnam, the Minister found difficulty in broaching the subject of a protectorate; and in his own words he “glided over this question.” The Vietnamese were alarmed, however and, in order to secure the support of China in the case of hostilities, Tuduc sent a tributary mission to Peking with presents and a letter of fealty. The Chinese Government, recognizing the special meaning of the mission at this juncture, accorded it a ready welcome and formally emphasized the standing of the King as a vassal of China by laying stress on the phrase “China could not refuse protection and assistance to her vassal.”

Meanwhile, events were marching apace. M. Waddington conveyed to the Governor of Saigon instructions to establish a protectorate over Tonquin. But this measure, which was regarded with a light heart at the Quai d’Orsay, appeared full of difficulty to the officials on the spot. A rebellion had broken out in Tonquin;* and interference by France would necessarily mean the employment of much larger forces than were available. Besides, Tuduc had appealed for help to Peking; and troops had been sent across the frontier. A conflict against the rebels would mean therefore a war with China; and this, in existing circumstances, was not to be thought of. With the assistance of China, Tuduc succeeded in suppressing the rebellion; and the cordiality between the two countries was increased by the event, and by the subsequent mission of thanks that was sent to Peking.

[* Modern Tonkin – JL]

In these circumstances both the French Minister at Peking and the Governor of Saigon were of opinion that France would be obliged either to evacuate the country or to impose a protectorate over Tonquin by force of arms. The second alternative recommended itself to the French Government; and M. de Frey-cinet proposed to send an expedition of three thousand men to support the troops that were already on the spot. Although everything was done, including direct denials, to keep these preparations secret, rumors of the intention spread abroad and reached the ears of the Marquis Tseng, who at once entered a dignified protest against any such action, and asked for information as to the truth of the report. No serious notice was taken of this communication; but shortly afterward General Chanzy, the French Ambassador at St. Petersburg, received instructions to explain matters to the Marquis Tseng, who was at the capital. This the General did in these terms:

It is necessary that the Chinese Government should give an accounting for Vietnam — including her dependency of Tonquin — which finds itself today free from obligation toward any Power save France.”

Matters now had reached a pass that threatened an outbreak of hostilities between France and China and in July, 1881, the French Chamber voted the supplies demanded by M. Barthelemy Saint-Hilaire for the dispatch of an expedition to Vietnam. Again, the Marquis Tseng pressed for an explanation, and warned the French Government that the invasion of Tonquin would provoke “great inquietude at the Court of Peking.” By way of reply to this remonstrance the French Government sent instructions to the Governor of Saigon, directing him to present a treaty to the King of Vietnam for his immediate signature, and informing him that Admiral Pierre was on his way to take command of the troops destined for service in Tonquin.

So strained had the relations now become that the Governor of Saigon thought it necessary to reinforce the garrison at Hanoi with a body of troops under the command of Captain Riviere. Twelve vessels-of-war accompanied this officer, whose instructions were explicit that he should avoid all hostilities so far as possible, and that on no account was he to cross swords with the Imperial Chinese troops.

In April, 1880, Riviere arrived at Hanoi; and the appearance of the fleet that he brought with him aroused the greatest alarm among the Vietnamese officials. They closed the gates of the citadel and summoned large bodies of troops into the neighborhood of the city, to be available in case of need. The attitude assumed by Riviere did nothing to allay the suspicions of the mandarins. With considerable brusqueness he presented six demands upon them, viz.:

1. The abolition of all transit-dues.
2. Free passage for all French ships through all the waterways of Vietnam.
3. The transfer to the French of the various ports between Hanoi and the sea.
4. Reconstitution of the Customs Service.
5. Assistance to be afforded to the flotilla in the destruction of the piratical bands that haunted the banks of Red River.
6. The withdrawal of all Chinese troops from Tonquin.

As might have been anticipated, the Governor declared himself unable to entertain or to discuss such demands. Thereupon Captain Riviere presented an ultimatum in which he gave the Governor till eight o’clock the next morning to decide whether he would yield the demands stated or accept the arbitrament of war. Being powerless to do otherwise, the Governor chose the second alternative; and Riviere, as good as his word, opened the attack at the hour named. Without much difficulty, but with considerable slaughter inflicted on the Vietnamese, he captured the citadel. But this was only the beginning of troubles to the French. Riviere’s precipitate conduct had placed the Governor of Saigon in a dilemma. He had not men enough to hold the delta, and he was well aware that, even if the home Government should sanction reinforcements, it must be a long time before they could arrive. The course he pursued, therefore, was to disavow Riviere’s conduct, and to promise the restoration of the citadel of Hanoi.

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