FRENCH INDO-CHINA

in this way, the maiidarinate was undeniably venal when the French
to Indo-Chroa.

antagonism to the mandarins painted the picture un-
necessarily Hack Mandarinal abuses of power were exaggerated; in

especially they were pictured as the cruel and rapacious

of the people. Partly through well-intentioned humani-

partly because of an assimiktionist belief in direct adminis-

the French created a dual officialdom in Tonkin. Useless

of office prevented adequate salaries from being paid to

French or native functionaries, so the essential evil of venality

to flourish. Rather, the coining of the French had created

of revenue and broke down the restraints hitherto imposed

by Cbafticiaiiist morality.

The people's ignorance and credulity place them at the mercy of

the Official taxes, already far too high, are in actual col-

at the mandarin's will and to his own benefit. On

Ac when taxes have been reduced, it is a well-known

fact the of people never hear of their good fortune: the

to be collected and the mandarin pockets the

TMs state of affaire continued to exist because French

found, much against their will, that mandarins were the

intermediaries between them and the people. This hard

learned when they had tried to get rid of them and raise up

in a new xnaixiari&aie of serviceable interpreters and servants,

to promotion was natural wit and a dependence

French benefactors. The people refused to obey these

for tfeey neither the learning nor the moral authority of

would have entitled them to popular

As Be Lauessan Insisted, both in his writing and his actions,

be restored by giving them back the powers

of shorn, Without responsibility or initiative the

of the current troubles. The system had

to be it to be improved. The mandarinate, one of

of cmEaartian, thus successfully though not

the fhvt of Westenusm.

a double track: the mandarinate must

Dfc m French officialdom in order to insure its

aot merely alloying Interference. So long as

instm! of their own tongues,

*ttt id m is aswxrktiiig exclusively with

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