SIAM.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1118, 4 August 1893, Page 33

SIAM.

London, July 26. The London merchants, in an address to Lord Rosebery, Foreign Secretary, protest against the injury to trade resulting from the admission of the Frence claims. From the comments of the Government organs, there is an indication that Lord Rosebery will not seriously contest the French demands. London, July 27. Admiral Fremantle has sent the Plover to join the Pallas, the Linnet and the Swift in the Menam. Calcutta, July 26. The blockade of Bangkok begins on Saturday. The King of Siam has requested the assistance of China. Paris, July 27. The Foreign Minister of Siam informed M. Pavie, the French Minister at Bangkok, that he was astonished that the reply to the ultimatum was regarded as a refusal. The French journals insist it is needless to declare war, as the operations are merely an act of police duty. The Chinese Embassy has informed M. Develle that Siam has no territory east of the Mekong so far north as the 23rd degree. If war is declared against Siam it is expected that the Black Flags will attack Tonquin. France will occupy the islands in the Gulf of Siam, and has already seized Rangsamlin as a base of operations. The blockade will probably extend to the whole northern part of the gulf. The French cruiser Eclaireur will reinforce Admiral Humann. St Petersburg, July 27v The Russian prfess exhorts France to complete her work, and destroy England’s prestige in Asia. ? London, July 27. The 'Paris correspondent of The Times says the French Government, following the precedent in Tonquin, does not intend to formally declare war. London, July 28.

Lord Rosebery, in reply to a question in the House of Lords, said the Government had nob been informed of the date or the extent of the blockade of Bangkok. He regretted the necessity, as it would raise a difficult question of interstate law. England had refused to interfere. He regretted that the French regarded the presence of English gunboats as an indication of an intention to assist Siam, whose resistance was hopeless. He hud advised that the quarrel should be settled by a compromise. It was important to have a neutral zone between the French'amid the English territories in the Peninsula. The French Government had not defined whether the blockade wa3 specific (pacific ?) or warlike. He said M. Develle had eluded many interviews which the British Ambassador sought, alleging pressure of business. Paris, July 28. The French press continues to goad the Government on to flout England in the matter of Siam. (SPECIAL.) Paris, July 27. Two cruisers and two torpedo-boats are being added to the French fleet in the Gulf of Siam, making 14 vessels in all. London, July 28. Sir E. Grey, replying to Viscount Curzon, as to the nature of * pacific blockading,’ said it was a debatable question, but France had promise i s.-.iv conduct for ships loaded before the f >!■ ade began. The English opera;. .k* would be confined to the protection of life and property. (PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, July 28. The China correspondent of the Standard wires that the Chinese have decided to oppose the French advance beyond degree 21, and wilL’-'charter troopers in the event of an emergency. The Standard’s Paris correspondent telegraphs that the French Foreign Minister has informed the British Ambassador that France has assented to a compromise in connection with the Siam difficulty. Telegrams from Bangkok state that the blockade began on Wednesday. Neutral

ships were ordered to leave three days before. The blockade embraces the Bay of Bangkok and the entire coast, London, July 29. In the House of Commons to-day Sir E. Grey stated that the Crown law officers were enquiring into the legality of the French blockade in Siam. He said there was great perplexity as to the actual date of the blockade. The French Foreign Minister had informed the British Ambassador in Paris that it would begin on the 31st, while the British Minister in Bangkok had wired that it began on Wednesday last. Siam has accepted the French ultimatum in its entirety, and France accepts the reply, leaving the provinces in the Upper Mekong, which England ceded to Siam, subject to separate negotiations between France and England. Paris, July 30.

The French press is exultant at the surrender of Siam to the French terms, and regards it as a triumph forthe French democracy, and a serious blow to British influence in the East. Paris, July 31. It is believed that the Siamese acceptance of the French ultimatum saved a split in the French Cabinet, where there was serious dissension in consequence of the opposition of the Moderate Party to the high-handed policy adopted with regard to Siam. The French press demand that the Government should show extreme firmness towards England regarding the negotiations .for the delimitation of the ceded territory. Washington, July 30. The American press agrees that England cannot allow France to approach her Indian territory. London, J uly 30. The War Office has summoned Lord Roberts to London. England and Germany are acting unitedly. London, J uly 31. The Daily News’ Bangkok correspondent wires that it is reported that England refused to recognise the blockade of Siam ports, and warned France she would be responsible if the blockade were enforced against British vessels. He also states that France thereon agreed to exempt British ships, permitting several to anchor outside the bar and enter the river on Sunday. The blockade still continues, but the British gunboats persistently remain inside its limits. French troops have captured Kosichang and, expelling the Siamese, boarded and scuttled a native steamer. Sir Edward Grey, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated in the House of Commons that France and Great Britain were parleying with regard to the Upper Mekong Provinces, and were already generally of accord as to the principles to be observed. He presumed the occupation of Kohsichang was only temporary, and said the stoppage of a British vessel was an error. The Standard thinks that in the face of the Siamese acceptance of the French ultimatum, the blockade will be raised immediately. Paris, July 31. Siam has been ordered to pay the indemnity and evacuate the ceded territory within a month. Arrangements are being made to delimit the frontier. M. Delachasse, the Colonial Secretary, desired to establish a protectorate, hut M. Develle, Minister for Foreign Affairs, after consulting Lord Dufferin, refused to take this step. Bangkok, July 31. M. Pavie, the French Consul-General, who withdrew during the height of the dispute, has returned here. Bangkok, August 1. France demands that the Siamese shall evacuate Chantabong and South East Bangkok, also that Siam shall keep no warships on the Mekong. Seven additional French warships have arrived off Koshichang.