| OCR Text |
Show PAPERMAKIN IN INDO-CHIN 6 missionaries, and a rabble of buccaneers and pirates, ha pleasantly settled themselvesalong the bountiful coast o Annam. This sagacious bishop, over zealous for his ow native Franceand wishing additional power and prestig forhis beloved Catholicism, cunningly suggested that th credulous king send an embassy of appeal to Paris. Th embassy was to request that the government of France provide Gai-long with security and protection and fre him from the clutches of the native interlopers who wer threatening to cast the betel-chewing monarch from hi ornate throne. With their own interest foremost in thei minds, the French were most willing to grant help an with every outward show of generosity they agreed t lend assistance to the stupid king. The French had lon been concerned over the mounting power of the Britis in India,-here was a golden opportunity for them to acquirea stronger footin in the Far East! Witha display o unselfish interest for Gai-long's safety, the French hur ried troops from Pondichéry, French India, to quell th native upstarts who were seeking to overthrow Gai-lon from his exalted position. It was only natural that th French officials felt it necessary to politely force the ol king to sign an agreement that was grossly favourable t his Buropean «protectors." Imagine trustful Gai-lon thinkinghe could command the splendo of Frencharm without paying his benefactors at least tenfold in return France offered and gave more and more proteétion, bu only after a deeper and deeper penetration into this ric |
