Siam.

Manawatu Herald, 27 July 1893, Page 2

Siam.

A correspondent at Bangkok wires that the reply of the Siamese Government to the French ultimatum concedes the territory on the left bank of the Mekong, including Stungstreng and Khong. The Siamese also agree to deposit three million francs (£120,000), and guarantee indemnities for the alleged massacre. It is hoped that this offer will form a basis of settlement New has been received that on Wednesday the French captured the remaining forts of the Khong Group though Bangkok still holds out. In the engagement 800 Siamese were killed, and 200 wounded. The Siamese Government has offered to cede the left bank of the Mekong, below latitude 18 only, and has refused the demand fixing the limit at the twenty-third degree. The Daily Telegraph's corresponj dent says the French Minister will leave Bangkok, regarding the reply as unsatisfactory. vSiam will within a month evaouate the region ceded. The King declares he only .submits ? t6 the' pressure of circumstances, and that he offered to go to arbitration five' m6nfchs ago and appoint a mixed commission to discuss the .amount of damage inflicted on the French.' He adds an expression of regret for the losses the French have undergone. France refused to extend the time for receiving an answer, in order to prevent Siam negotiating with England. It is believed the Siamese hoped that the coal would be exhausted on board the French gunboats. The Siamese warships are crowded with men ready to ram arid board the French ships in the event ot hostilities taking a more pronounced aspect, and soldiers are alongside to assist the sailors. A German .gunboat has arrived. The Daily News states that the French Government has announced a blockade of Bangkok. . The New York Herald's coirespondent in. the East says that, if required, the Australian fleet will be asked to assist the British squadron in Siamese waters. Siamese Vessels are armed with quick firing gnns, while the French have guns of the old pattern. The latter are anchored in the river a mile apart. Le Temps, the Paris paper, calls on the Government to reject : the Siamese offer. Other French papers allege that England is plotting to secure the control of the Upper Mekong. Diplomatic selation between England and France are highly strained over the action taken by France in this matter. The Times think the country may trust Lord Rosebery. Th? Russian Government is urging the Siamese Government to cede to Russia the island of Junkseylon, situated off the western coast of the Malay Peninsula, for the establish-; ment of a naval depofc. The Siamese reply to the French ultimatum is regarded as unsatisfactory at Paris, chiefly with respect to the session of territory. M. Pavie, French Consul- General in Bangkok, has been instructed to leave the city within 24 hours. The French press deolares that Great Britain has influenced the attitude adopted by Siam, and expresses surprise that the French cannon are not thundering in Siam before this. " .-- • France has formally notified to the Great Powers the blockade of the Siamese ports. .The French subjects in Bangkok have been placed under the protection of the Dutch Consul. M. Pavie, the French Minister, asked for pilots to take the gunboats out of the river. They are suspected of lingering, under pretence of waiting for the monsoon, in order to enable the Triomphant and the rest of the Asiatic squadron to arrive. A second detachment of the Foreign legion has been despatched to the East by the French Government. The Pall Mall Gazette warns France that the English gunboats in the Menam are able to blow hers out of the water. The Siamese Government hay* 12,000 armed men in Bangkok.

It is believed that France intends to occupy Battambong and Angkor. The French press urge that the King's Palace should be shelled. The Br'tish residents in Bangkok are intensely irritated at the seeming apathy of the Imperial Government.* > Lord Dufferin had a -friendly interview with M. Deville, who intimated that France, would not allow a third party to interfere in her quarrel with biam. • — '~~ The French Minister left Bang* kok on Wednesday, and the blockade will be rigorously enforced the next day. The Government are sanding reinforcements to enable the country to be occupied, and additional war* ships. It is expected that the forts will be destroyed and the palace shelled. The Siamese Minister is leaving Paris. ■ The Tageblatt says the more troubles France brings upon hergelf abroad, the more it is to the advantage of Germany. - -