The herald., 1893-07-21
WAR SEEMS INEVITABLE,
France Pressing Her Claims
on Siam.
Gunboats at Bangkok Ready
for Action.
The King and Court Preparing to
Flee the City.
Russia Abettine Her Republican Ally.
China Sides with siam-John
Bull May Take q Hand
In the Melee.

BY the Associated Press.
BANGKOK, July 20.-The belligerent
attitude OF the three French gunboats
opposite the middle OF the city is caus-
ing great anxiety among the people.
They are ready for action and continu-
ally beating to quarters and training
their gums on Siamese gunboats that
happen to pass. Siam is doing her best
to convince. the French minister that
her intentions are amicabls, bat free
dom of action in negotiations ID much
restricted by the pressure exercised
osstentaticusly by the French war
vessels.
EXCITEMENT IN BANGKOK.
PARIS, July 20.--A dispatch from
Bangkok states that the Siamese court
is greatly agitated. Preparations are
apparently under way for the departure
of the king and court from the capital.
Reports of the intention of the king to
leave Bangkok spread among the pop
ulace and caused much excitement.
The dispatch adds that it is stated there
is popular agitation In favor of France
in the province Of Battambang, and
troops have been sent to put down the
Eeditlon.
The senate today passed unanimously
a resolution approving in every respect
the attitude OF the government in the
Siamese affair.
WHEN SLAMS REPLY is EXPECTED,
Slams reply to Frances ultimatum Is
not expected before Saturday night or
Sunday. Itis thought in case the reply
is unfevorable. Admiral Human will
await the arrival OF special commis-
sioner sent cut by the French govern.
ment before final action.
RUSSIA sUpPoRrs FRANCE.
The statement is published that the
Russian ambassador to France has given
assurance to that country that Russia
will support France on all points in
volved in the .Siamsse difficulty. 1t is
further said that the Russian feet in
Chinese waters is under orders to pro-
ceed to the gulf of Siam for the purpose
of supporting the French and protecting
French residents of Siam. 1t is expect
ed to arrive there soon.
CHINA SIDES WITH SIAM.
TIEN-TsM. July 20. - Information
comes from Pekin to the effect that
China will support Siam against France.
Siam for many years has paid tribute to
China, as q matter Of cuekom only.
Chinese interference adds most inter-
esting feature to the dispute and may
result in modification Of the French
demands.
ENGLAND MAY TAKE HAND.
LONDON, July 20.-A special cabinet
meeting was summoned in Downing
street this afternoon. There was full
attendance. frances demand on Siam
was discussed at length and eventually
instructions for the Marquis of Dufferin,
British ambassador to France were for
muiated and approved.
Immediately after the meeting Earl
Rosebery, secretary of state for foreign
affairs, communicated with the admir-
atty as regards the disposition of the
fleet in Asiatic waters. Late in the aft
ernoon special orders were dispatched
by the admiralty to Vice-Admiral Fre-
mantle, commander-in-chiefc Of the Chi
neee division. These facts, together
with the sudden cancelling of the Mar
quis of Dufferin's leave of absence. are
regarded as hardly in harmony with the
official predictions of perfectly AMIGA
BILE settlement with France of the Siam
ese difficulty. Even If not alarmed by
the course of France, the government is
believed to realize that the Siamese af-
fair is fraught with more serious posi-.
bilities, for which immediate prepara-
tions must be made by Great Britain.