The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-28
THE SHIPS FIRED UPON u :
French Vessels Run the Gauntlet
of Shot and Shell.
A sIAMEsE GUNBOAT RUN DOWN.

ship Inconstante-No Further Damage
Done to Either Side-The French Fleet
Now at Bangkok.
PARIS, July 81 1t is stated that an eff
fective blockade of the Siamese coast by
the French fleet will only begin on Satur-
day or Sunday next Until then oil powers
will not have received notice of Frances
intention to establish blockade.
The Chinese charged affairs, it is stated,
has informed NJ. Develle that Siam had no
territory east of the Mekong as far north
as latitude 23, which parallel was claimed
by the French rs the northern limit of
their influence. He regarded it as unlikely
that the Black Flags would join the Siam
csc in the event of hostilities with France.
but he thought that if they saw France
and Siam embroled the Black Flags
might resume the offensive in Tonquin
The Temps gives detailed account of
how the French gunboats forced passage
up the Menam river. The gunboats en-
tered the channel about o'clock in the
evening, and Immediately both forts and
the Siamese gunboats opened fire on the
French warships. The French gunboats
crossed the bar, Notwithstanding the ex-
plosion of submarine torpedo directly
ahead of the fleet. The Inconstante
rammed and sunk Siamcse gunboat.
About O'Clock the forts at Paknam
opened fire ut range of one-quarter of a
mile. The French gunboats all this time
were making ten knots an hour against
the stream. At $50 o'clock the French
fleet anchored in front of the French lega-
ton ut Bangkok. The cannonade had lit
lie effect. owing to the darkness.
Lord Dufferin had an audience with NJ.
Dcvelle yesterday. A cabinet council was
held ut o'clock last evening, but the
greatest secrecy was maintained as to what
took place at the meeting Another cabi-
net council will be held tomorrow
The police of this city, by order of the
government, are scizing cheap maps of
Siam, which are offered for sale on the
boulevards, and which represents the
Siamesc frontier in accordance with En-
glish ideas
SAIGON, July oT.-Captain Villiers, who
is in command of the French forces mt
Khong, reports that the capture of Fort
Donson by the French produced an excel
lent impression The governor of the
Island of Kong was killed during the at
tack and his death FASTENED the retreat of
the Siamese. The French flag had been
hoisted on the Island of Roneslmlem,
which will be made the basis OF future on
erations. The French government has
also decided to take possession of other
islands on the Gulf of Siam
LONDON, July pa private telegram
from bangkok announces that the British
gunboat Pigmy has replaced the Swift be-
fore Bangkok for the protection of Brit
ish residents. England has an adequate
fleet on the East India and China stations,
numbering twenty eight vessels, including
the Impcriense, II cruiser of 1880 tons
France can only muster nineteen vessels,
of which the largest is only t. 100 tons.
1t is believed that NJ. Develle hopes that
this pacific blockade will induce Siam to
surrender atdiscretion. Should Siam still
resist and the blockade be made effective.
British interests would suffer severely.
The London merchants interested i'm the
Siamcse trade have forwarded Joint let
ter to Lord Roscbery. pointing to the In
jury which would be inflicted by the block
ade of Singapore and Hongkong
The Standards correspondent says he
believes that the French cabinet is becom-
ing more amenable i'll its negotiations
with England over the Siamese dispute
A Bangkok dispatch to The Daily News
says that Captain II. NJ. Jones, British
minister to India, acting under orders
cabled from London, has maintained n
strictly non-committal attitude in the
matter of the Franco-Siamese mbroglio.
BERLIN, July 27.-The Tageblatt reioices
over the prospect that England, who scorn-
fully holds aloof from the dreibund, NAV
become embroiled with France over the
Siamese affairs. England, says The Tage-
blatt, will be taught Il lesson, and she need
not expect to receive German support
Other newspapers express similar senti-
ments, although in milder language
BANGKOK, July 27.-Notice was given
to- day Of the blockade by the French
fleet. Outgoing vessels have been
warned that they must clear Bangkok
and Koh. 81 Chang before Saturday or
submit to detention. The blockade
Will extend all along the entire north
coast of the gulf Of Siam The French
fleet, with M. Pavie, the French minis.
ter resident, has gone to Koh Si.Chang.
No Cholera at Chester.
PHILADELPHIA Julu or-nr ban