THE DIFFICULTY IN SIAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 23

THE DIFFICULTY IN SIAM.

■ ■ ■ ♦ , ' - (Pee Pbess Association.) • London, July 25. The French subjects in Binkok' Save been, placed under the protection of the' Dutch Consul. The French Minister has asked the pilots to take the gunboats out of the river, but 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 Bast 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 have 12,000 armed men in Bankok. It is believed chat France intends to occupy Battamborg and Angko. The French press urge that the King's palace should be shelled. The British residents' in Bankok are intensely irritated at the seeming apathy of the Imperial Government. The Chinese Government is astonished at the French demands, since both banks of the Mekong belong to China much further south than the twenty-third degree. , Pabis, July 25. Lord Dufferin had a friendly interview with M. DevelJe, who intimated that Franca would not allow a third party to interfere in the quarrel with Siam. The French Minister leaves Bankok on Wednesday, and the blockade will be rigorously enforced next day. The French Government are;- sending reinforcements to enable the country, to ba occupied, and additional warships jare also being despatched. "*- ' ' , It is expected that the forfcrwill be destroyed and the palace shelled/^ , v ." The Siamese Minister is leaving Pari<«< \ The French Chamber has prorogued in ' view of the elections. '.'»',• It is understood the Powers ! will, not recognise the blockade of Bankok Until the , Chamber declares war. ' >i- * The Siamese Government; has , invited a fuller statement respecting the , houndary claims based on the possessions^ by/the French in Annam and Cambodia. \ It has consented to the gunboats being piloted out of the river. V| < '. A section of the French press declare that Lord Dufferin has shows, unmistakable signs of supporting Siam, and is meeting the French Government with an insulting demand, if not absolute vilification. The Journal dcs Dabats recognises that It would' be better to confine the olaim' to -territory ■ along the middle and lower Mekong, and avoid a difficulty with China and England. ' '' Admiral Humann has sailed from' Saigon for the Menam. He will blockade .the' rive* with eight vessels. M. Parie, the," FrenchMinister, with three gunboats has, left the city. The French gunboats- are', furnished- , with 700 melinite shells. Foreign gunboats are landiog parties of men in the'.~city to prevent the dangerous classes pillaging it. The French presß sharply oritioised^the policy of a blockade and urge 3 more' decisive action. The blockading squadron includes^an ironclad, a cruiser, and five gunboats. . Matters are at present peaceful. The Siamese Government do not appear to realise the critioal'position. British residents in Bankok are asking to have a strong diplomatic sgent sent 'out. Bbblin, July 25. The Tageblatt says that the more^ trouble France brings upon herself abroad the more is it to the advantage of Germany. , Mr Rawlins addressed a crowded meeting or electors at Roxburgh, and was well received. In reply to a query by the editor of Truth, Mr J. W. Marchant, commissioner of .lands in Canterbury, supports a statement made by Mr G. G. Stead that under the Land for Settlement Ast many private owners were anxious and willing to sell, and writes :—" A large number of properties were offered to the Government, and submitted to the Land Purchase, Board. All but three blocks, comprising about 1026 acres, were rejected by the board as unsuitable or not within the scope of the act."