FRANCE AND SUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9257, 20 July 1893, Page 5

FRANCE AND SUM.

STATEMENT BY LORD ROSEBERY.

PROTECTION OF BRITISH

SUBJECTS.

ALARM AT BANGKOK.

TONE OF THE FRENCH PRESS.

A BELLICOSE SPEECH.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright

London, July 18. Lord Rokebery, in reply to a question in the House of Lords, stated that complete arrangements had been made for the protection of British residents in Bangkok, and that more British ships would be available if necessary.

He also said the Government were fully sensible as to the grave importance of the independence and integrity of Siam, which France proposed to respect.

Calcutta, July 18.

The British residents in Bangkok are much alarmed at the French action, and are leaving the city.

Paris, J*uly IS,

The Siamese forts sank a French merchant vessel because she was piloting a warship up the Menam River.

The French. Government deny that they disowned the action of Admiral Humann in entering the river with warships.

The Parisian Press is violently irritated, and declares that Great Britain is trying to exercise a veiled protection over Shun.

The Figaro says the French Colonial Office will demand concession of entire left bank of the Mekhong river, the provinces of Battarabang and Augokov, and also payment of an indemnity to the relatives of the victims of the recent massacre by Siamese.

The Chamber of Deputies has unanimously carried a resolution that the Government should take the necessary measures to make the rights of France respected in Siam.

Paris, July 19.

In the Chamber of Deputies, M. Develle, the. Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that Lord Rosebery, the English Foreign Secretary, had disclaimed any British interests in Mekhong. He mentioned that Great Britain had been assured that Bangkok would not be bombarded without notice. An explanation had been asked of the meaning of the despatch of English gunboats to Siamese waters. The reply elicited disclaimed any intention of intervening in the matter, beyond protecting British subjects. France, he said, was unable to exercise further patience, unless reparation was granted for the recent murder of French subjects and the violation of Treaty rights; therefore, coercive measures had been taken on land. The statement I was received with applause.