New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-26
QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS.
MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW WHAT FRANCE
Is DOING in SIAM.
SIR EDWARD GREY ASSURES THEM THAT THE
LIVES AND PROPERTY OF BRITISH SUBJECTS
WILL. BE pROTECTED-wNTING no
HEAR FROM LORD DUFFERIN.

HEAR FROM LORD DUFFERIN
roraor Ju,v o5-Jn the House Of Commons to-
dav Iohn Leng advanced LiberaD, member Tor
dundee asked IL the Government was aware that
British subjects possessed rights over forty square
miles Of land In the Siamese provinces OF Cha".a-
born Krat and Battambang for working ruby
and sapphire mines. and whether IL france
should annex those provinces, care would De taken
to guard British interests.
Sir Edward Grey, Parliamentary Secretary OF
the Foreign Office. said in reply that the GOV
eminent was aware of the mining rights held In
Siam by British subjects, but he pointed out that
the provinces In which these rights are held lie
to the west of the Mekong River, and were not,
therefore, included in the territorial demands made
by France.
George n Curzon Conservative member for
the Southport Division OF Lancashire. asked
whether France had informed Great Britain that
she had established a blockade of the Siamese
coast: whether the establishment Of such block
ade would be regarded IA an act OF beligerency
between France and Siam: whether the block
ade had been or would be recognized by Great
Britain, and what measures the Government pro-
posed to take in regard to the matter
Sir Edward Grey replied that Great Britain had
received from France verbal notice Of the nten-
ton OF the French Government to blockade the
Sarnese coast The blockade would certainly be
an act of begerency. The British Government,
Sir Edward added, proposed to continue its pres
ent protection of the lives of British subjects In
Bangkok and OF the property Of British SUBJECTS
The Government thought that the value that at
taches to a declaration of blockade must vary
with the circumstances Of each particular case.
Mr.. Curzon then asked: Suppose any British
vessel, even a ship carrying malls should ascend
the Menam River after Thursday. will 1t risk being
captured or fired upon by the French? II so. What
steps will the Government take to mitigate such a
state OF affairs. and. further, when may we expect
notification OF the proceedings Of our Ambassador
In pariso" Cries Of Hear" Hear" greeted this
question
Sir Edward stated that any further communica-
tons he might make to the House must depend
upon the communications now passing between
Great Britain and France. AS to the details OF the
blockade he must state that the Government had
only Just received notice of the fact of the intend
ed blockade He added that he must ask that due
notice be given OF other questions members de-
sired to ask
Notwithstanding this request, Sir Charles DIXIE
advanced LiberaD, member for the Forest of
Dean Division of Worcestershire. asked:
VIII there be a decara tlon of war. or merely
an implied beilgerency? VIII not the blockade be
established under the pretence OF Its being what is
called n pacific blockade.
Sir Edward replied: II cannot add anything to
what have said. / hope to be able to give fur-
Their information on Thursday. 1t would not be
advisable nor to the public interest 10 make any
further statement to-day
Sir Richard Temple Conservative. member Tor
the Kingston ON Thames Division of Surrey, asked
II the Government taking steps to secure
some equality in the British and French naval
forces in Siamese waters.
The question brought forth cries or DON'T an
swer" but Sir Edward answered the question, say
ing: II assured the House on previous occasion,
and the assurance still holds. that Great brltaih
has a sufficient force off Bangkok to protect BRIT
ish life and property ,u,uo, oroa, 10
THE Westminster Gazette Liberal organ 10
dav nuhlIshes an article the Franco -Siamese ds-
pute under the heading lingo Pharisees Ihe
Gazette" admits that the situation arising rom
H. d,snu,e ia serious but IL deprecates the buster
that marks the articles on the subject In sec
ton OF the Tory press; 1t urges that contdehee
Minister whose hands II says, may be best
Strengthened by a certain amount OF reserve Great
OF, e. adds ought not to forget that France
NAV possibly have as good a case in French eyes
40 3nv british case is in British eyes.