FRANCE AND SIAM.

Star (Christchurch), 25 July 1893, Page 3

FRANCE AND SIAM.

• j A CRITICAL POSITION. [Spbcia- to Pbess Association.] LONDON, July 24. The Siamese Government has offered to cede the left bank of the Mekong below latitude 18 only, and haa refused the demand fixing the limit at the 23 rd degree. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent says tne French Minister will leave Bangkok, regarding the reply as unsatisfactory. Siam will evacuate the region ceded within a month. The King declares ' he only submits to the pressure of circumstances, and that he offered to go to arbitration five months ago, and ' appoint a mixed Commission to discuss the amount of damage inflicted jon the French: He adds an expres- | sion of regret for the losses the French have undergone. j France refused to extend the time ' for receiving an answer, in order to ; prevent Siam negotiating with Eng- ; land. It is believed that the Siamese j hoped that the coal would be exhausted on board the French gunboats. The Siamese warships are crowded with men ready to ( ram and board the French ships in the event of 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 for Bangkok. The Hew York Herald's correspondent in the East says that, if required, the Australian fleet will be asked to assist the British squadron in Siamese waters. The Siamese vessels are armed with quick-firing guns, while the French have the old pattern. The latter are : anchored in the river a mile apart. I Le Temps, a Paris paper, calls on I the Government to reject the Siamese ; offer. Other French, papers allege ! that England is plotting to secure control of the Upper Mekong. ! The diplomatic relations between v France and England are highly

strained over the Rction takon by France in this nutter. Tho Times think*- that tho country may trust Lord Kosebory. PARIS, July 23. Tho Siamese reply to the French ultimatum has been received, but the contents of the document are being kept secret. PARIS, July 24. The Siamese reply to the French ultimatum is regarded as unsatisfactory, chiefly with respeci to the cession of territory inPavie (?). The French Consul- General in Bangkok has been instructed to leave the city within two hours. The French Press declares that England haß influenced the attitude adopted by Siam, and expresses surprise that French cannon was not thundering in Siam before this. France has formally notified the great Powers of the blockade of Siamese ports. ST PETERSBURG, July 24. The Russian Government is urging the Siamese Government to cede to Russia the island of Junkseylon, situated off the north-west extremity of the Malay Peninsula, for the establishment of a naval depot.