Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-07-23

lark AND salGHr SIDES

spirit a animnoity hstuesn the two
great nstioas that border the channel b
being revived n ~ pristine vigor.
Not even The Victoria Campsrdowu
disasser mouopolised the attention of
the British public - docs the diplomatic
struggle between Bangkok and Paris.
The newspapers are full oi leaders, CON-
nentA ccntTibuted articies and letters
concerning Hritish Interests in Slams
integrity Although less bitter aud
beligcrant than their French colleagues.
the London editors are not less earnest
and they tske every occasion a. em-
phsssse the importance of Great Britainh
relations TO the Siamene government,
country, and trade. Few Of the British
editors. however. have been Treating.
Most of them believe that the differ
ences between France and Siam will be
adjusted amicably, even IL unjustly.
Others. Notwithstanding the ultra torch.
profess 10 see ahead grave crisis in
eastern affairs All Engiishmen pro-
nounce Frances threatening action TO
be pure robbery, executed by force Of
arms
Fruncc's Rig Demand.
Great Britain's interests in the settle
ment of the question are not regarded
as merely commercial. although the
houses engaged in the Siamese trade
have raised no small part Of the popular
protest against Frances action.
The opinion In high political circles 10
that more important international mat
ters than Englsnd's immediate trade
with the east are ut stake. Siam has
long been regarded a. the buffer between
France and England in the east. and the
prospect that this buffer will he mutt
lstedor halved 10 believed to threaten
trouble for the British in Burmah.
The territorial claims OK France are
not limited 10 tine region $50 miles wide
and $50 miles long. inhabited by tribes
which Siam has ruled but nominally.
and explored only by French travellers.
They extend over an enormous piece OF
Siam proper. and il granted will sep
arate Siam from China and bring French
and British possessions in Asia into inn
mediate conjunction. This Siamesc ter
ritory. which France demands chiefly
b-csuse she covets il. is one OF the most
fertile and advanced districts Of Siam.
The surrender OF il to the French would
annihilate large British trade. Neither
England nor China is likely to remain
passive in case France persists in her
endeayors to exact this unpledged pound
of flesh.
To Ruin British Trade.
An authority in oriental affairs yester-
day explained that the nature of
Frances demand ia pretty much the
same as il French wrestcd Norfolk and
Suffolk from Us. and then claimed the
entire midlands. whilst processing re
pect for the Independence and integrity
of England. The French policy is sim
ply TO divert the commerce OF lndo-
China To the Mekong river and Saigon.
AT present merchandise goes up the
Menan river to Bangkok when il is
shipped 10 British ships.
John y. Cursor. parliamentary secre-
tary for the Indian Office under the last
Salisbury administration and now con-
servative member of parliament for
southwest Lancashire. has written an
article for the Nineteenth Century and
two letters 10 The Times on the question
of French intrusion in siam. He asks
Englishmen il they cannot be made Ia
realize that Frances present action is a
blow struck more at England than at
Siam. The realization of Frances
hopes. he says. means the interruption
81 the entire carrying trade between
bangkok, Singapore and Hong hong.
This trade is s. per cent British. 1t is
worth several million pounds annually.
IL France bc allowed to play her game
unin,peded. he predicts the trade will be
permanently crippled.
ships France Can Command.
Slams answer TO Frances uitimatum
can hardly be given before Sunday
night Until then. therefore, everybody
must wait in uncertainty the develop.
ments OF the final act in the diplomatic
drama The situation. AZ revealed by
the answer. will be discussed exhaust
lively in the house Of commons on Mon
day. Several members have given
notice u interpretations and Sir Edward
Grey. parliamentary secretary for the
foreign Office. ~ expected To make q
frcsh statement as 10 the government'i
attitude
IL naval operations become necessar,
before bangkok the French rear ad
mirsl. Human. Nill be able to command
the dispatch boats Pluyicr and lneon
stante. the gunboats Lutin. Comefe
Viperc. Lion and Aspic. the ironclac
Tryomphante and the cruiser Ferfsit.
Ii IL now evident that the government
I intends 90 hold an autumn session. AZ
regards the present session. II is be
heved that when the ministers realize
how the otstructionists will protractths
+ discussion ~ the estimates they vii
either postpone the propagation or cu'
the holidays short The unicnists arr
very re'icent. Just now. ss 20 their plar
b. drive the government by obstruction
"a premature dissolution. Although
+ they refuse 81 talk. however, they are nj
pugnscsous as ever.
Weary of Home Rule.
IN ministerial circles the hops ~ fha
the home rule hsll vitl 40 ~ the hours
a lords in the fourth week - August
and that suppiy will be disposed In tim'
+ 90 render p~,~sihle 40 adjournment ahcu
the middle of September This csicis
lafion - based 0n the assumption TIA
the government uill not spare the clos
are. will cod the second reading On Sep
tember Is or IL and fnprese into tv'
I os three sstfinzs the debate on the thiF,
feading The radicals aud younge
lihesais are oFpa~ed 90 an autumn SO
SION. and are seeking e. persuade th'
ministers - proFoxur parliament sfte
sgrpiy until prrraslcr