WITH CHRIST IN INDOCHINA - IndoChina1911

ated from Annam by a range of high mountains.
There are two million, eight hundred and six thousand
Cambodians. They are of an entirely different
race from the Annamese who are somewhat similar
to the Chinese, whereas the Cambodians are more
like the Malays. This state is also a protectorate of
France. The king lives in regal pomp at Pnom Penh,
the capital, but his authority is entirely subordinate
to the French.
North of Cambodia is the great State of Laos, the
largest of all the Indo-China States, but the most
sparsely populated. Most of Laos is a French colony,
but in the north there is another kingdom,
Luang Prabang, which is also a protectorate of
France. Across the Mekong River from Laos lie the
four provinces of East Siam that are part of this
mission field. The population of this territory numbers
between three and four million people. They
are for the most part expatriated Laosians who,
many years ago, were enticed or coerced by Siamese
conquerors to cross the Mekong and settle in East
Siam.
The Mission was not always known as the French
Indo-China and East Siam Field. It began in the
State of Annam, and was called the Annam Mission.
When the other states of French Indo-China were
added to its territory, it became known as the French
Indo-China Field. Still later, when four provinces
of East Siam were added, the present name was
adopted.