The difficulties of the “development” of the Tonkin coal mines and the role of the colonial state in the early years of the colonial period(1888-1914)

1883년에 통킹을 보호국화한 후 프랑스인들은 통킹의 광물자원 ‘개발’에 공을 들였다. 그리하여 1888년에 혼가이와 께바오 탄광이 가행되기 시작하였다. 그러나 탄광업의 발전은 애초에 프랑스인들이 생각했던 것보다 훨씬 복잡한 문제임이 곧 드러났다. 사실 광산업자들은 새로운 경제 활동을 조직해야 했을 뿐 아니라 그에 필요한 모든 환경을 새로 만들어내야 했다. 식민당국은 프랑스 기업들을 열정적으로 지원하였으나, 그것만으로 그들의 성공이 보장되지는 않았다. 광산회사들이 부딪친 초기비용 조달, 대규모 노동력 확보, 새로운 시장의 개척 같은 문제들을 해결하기 위해서 식민당국이 취할 수 있는 행동 수단에는 확실한 한계가 존재했다.

After the establishment of the protectorate in Tonkin in 1883, the French worked to “exploit” its mineral resources. Thus began the exploitation of the coal mines of Hòn Gai and Kế Bào in 1888, but its development quickly proved more difficult than the French had originally thought. In fact, mine operators had to create not only a new economic activity, but also the entire environment for its operation. The colonial authorities energetically favored French companies, but this could not ensure their success. The means of action of the colonial authorities remained clearly limited for solving problems such as the financing of the costs of first settlements, the mobilization of the labor force in large numbers and the conquest of new markets, which faced the mining companies.

Après l’établissement du protectorat au Tonkin en 1883, les Français s’employèrent à la “mise en valeur” de ses richesses minières. Ainsi fut commencée l’exploitation des mines de charbon de Hòn Gai et de Kế Bào en 1888, mais son développement s’avéra rapidement plus difficile que les Français ne l’avaient cru au départ. En fait, les exploitants des charbonnages durent créer non seulement une nouvelle activité économique, mais aussi tout l’environnement pour son opération. Les autorités coloniales favorisèrent énergiquement les entreprises françaises, toutefois cela ne put assurer leur succès. Les moyens d’action des autorités coloniales restèrent nettement limités pour résoudre les problèmes tels que le financement des frais de premiers établissements, la mobilisation de la main-d’œuvre en grand nombre et la conquête de nouveaux marchés, auxquels firent face les compagnies minières.