THE DIFFICULTY IN SIAM

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 13

THE DIFFICULTY IN SIAM

(Pee Pbess association.)

London, July 27.

The London merchants, by circular to Lord Rosebery, protest against the injury to trade resulting from the admission of the French claims.

From the comments of the Government organs there is indication that Lord Rosebery will not seriously contest the .French demands respecting Siam. Admiral Fremantle has sent the Plover to join the Pallas, Linnet, and Swift, in the Menam. The Paris correspondent of The Times Bays the French Government, following the precedent in Tonquio, does not intend to formally declare war. The French Rtdical and Socialist members of the Chamber of Deputies have issued a manifesto demanding a revision of the Constitution.

Two cruisers and two torpedo boat 3 are being added to the French fleet in the Gulf of Siatn, making 14 vessels in all.

July 28. Sir E. Grey, replying to Mr Curzon as to the nature of pacific blockading, said it was a debatable question, bat Francs bad promised safe conduct for ships loaded before the blockade began. English operations would be confined to the protection of life and property. Lord Roseber'y, in reply to a question in the House of Lords, said the Government had not been informed of the date or extent of the blockade of Bangkok. He regretted the necessity, as it would raise a difficult question of inter-State law. England had refused to interfere. He regretted the French regarded the presence of English gunboats as an indication of an intention to assist Siam, whose resistance was hopeless. He had advised that the quarrel should be settled by compromise. It was important to have a neutral zone between French and English territories in the Peninsula. The French Government had not defined whether the blockade was pacific or warlike. He said M. Develle had eluded many interviews which the British Ambassador sought, alleging pressure of business. The China correspondent of the Standard wires that the Chinese have decided to oppose the French advance beyond the 21st degree, and will charter troops 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. A telegram from Bangkok states that the blockade began on Wednesday. Neutral ships were ordered to leave three days before the' blockade began.

[The latitude of Bangkok is about 14deg. N., and the action of China above referred to will probably prove to mean that Bangkok may go for aught they care, but that the French must not push their forces into the upper waters of the river.]

July 29.

In the House of Commons to-day Sir B. Grey stated that the Crown law officers were inquiring 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 Upper Mekong, which England ceded to Siam, subject to separate negotiations between France and England. July 30. The War Office has summoned Lord Roberts to London. England and Germany are acting unitedly. The American press agree that England cannot allow France to approach her Indian territory.

The Paris Figaro announces that, owing to internal dissensions in the Cabinet, several Ministers are about to resign.

July 81.

Sir E. Grey, Undersecretary for Culonial Affairs, stated in the House of Commons to-day that France and England were parleying with regard to the Upper Mekong and the provinces. They were already generally in accord as to the principles to be observed. He presumed that the occupation of Kohsichang was only temporary, and said that the stoppage of British vessels was an error.

The Standard thinks that, in the face of the Siamese acceptance of the French ultimatum, the blockade will be raised immediately.

Pabis, July 26. The Foreign Minister of Siam informed M. Pane, the French Minister at Bangkok, that he was astonished the reply to the ultimatum was regarded as a refusal . The French journals insist that it is needless to declare war as 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 twenty-third degree. If war is declared against Siam it is expected the Black Flags will attack Tonquin. France will occupy the islands in the Gulf of Siam, and has already seized Bangsumlin 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.

July 29.

The French press continues to goad the Government on to flout England in the matter of Siam.

July 81.

, The French Press are 6xultant at the Burrender of Siam to the French terms, and regard it as a triumph for French diplomacy and a serious blow to British influence in the East.

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 show extreme firmness towards

England regarding the negotiations for the delimitation of the ceded territory.

The Daily News Bangkok correspondent wires that it is reported England refused to recognise the blockade of Siamese ports, and warned France she would be held responsible if the blockade was 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 British gunboats persistently remain inside of its limits.

The French troops have captured Kosichang, and in expelling, the Siamese boarded and scuttled a native steamer.

Siam has been ordered to pay the indemnity and evacnate the ceded territory within a month. Arrangements are beiDg made to delimit the frontier.

M. de Leassen, the Colonial Secretary, desired to establish a protectorate, but M. Dsvelle, Minister for Foreign Affairs, after consulting Lord Dufferin, refused to take this step.

Bangkok, July 31.

M. Parie, the French Consul-general, who withdrew during the height of the dispute, has returned here.

August 1. France demands that the Siamese shall evacuate Ohantabong and South-East Bangkok ; also, that Siam shall keep no warships on the Mekong. Seven additional French warships have arrived off Kohsichang.

Beblin, July 27.

The German press declares that England is now likely to regret holding aloof from the Triple Alliance.

Calcutta, July 26. The blockade of Bangkok begins on Saturday. The King of Siatn has requested the assistance of Obina.

St. Petebsbtjbg, July 27.

The Russian press exhorts France to complete her work and destroy England's prestige in Asia.