The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-27
THE SIAMESE BLOCKADE
THE FRENCH TLEEr WILL BEGIN
IT ABoUr NExr SUNDAY.
Powers Will Have Received Notice sf the
Intention bv That Iirne--Chinese Repre-
sentativss Confer with Authorities.

PARIS, July 2s-It Is stated that an
effective blockade OF the Siamese coast
by the French fleet will only begin on
Saturday or Sunday next
Until then all the powers will rot have
received notice OF Frances intention to
establish blockade.
The Chinese charge daffaires had An
interview to-day with the chief officials
at the foreign office In regard 10 slam.
Siam May Make Further Concessions.
BANGKOK. July 26.-M. Pavie. the
French minister resident. prior TO his de-
parture, had a final interview with the
Siamese foreign minister. who said that
his Government was astonished that
France considered their reply TO the
French ultimatum as a refusal to comply
with its terms. IL was Impossible. he
said. 70 accept definitely an indefinite
proposal. France had never defined her
rights In AMMAN and Cambodia, but the
King, earnestly desiring peace and a
speedy settlement OF the whole case, had
declared mis- readiness 10 abandon In
AMMAN and Cambodia all the posts that
had been attacked. as well as the terri
tory near them. including Stungireng and
knong, although these places were ad-
mitted TO the Siamese.
Forced "a Passage Up the Mensm.
LONDON, July pa Paris dispatch
to the Times says: Lord Dunerin had an
audience with NJ. Deyeile this morning.
cabinet councll was held at o'clock
this evening. but the greatest secrecy was
maintained as so what took place at the
meeting. Another cabinet council VIII be
held on Saturday next
The Temps gives detailed account Of
how the French gunboats forced n passage
up the Menam river. The gunboats enter
ed the channel about O'Clock i'm the
evening. and Immediately both forts and
the Samese gunboats opened fire on tho
French warshps. The Frnech gunboats
crossed the bar, Notwithstanding the ex-
plosion Of submarine torpedo directly
ahead OF the fleet. The lnconstante ram
med and sank the Siamese gunboat.
About Q o'clock the forts Mt Paknam
or ened fire at a range of cne.quarter OF a
mile. The French gun-boat all :hls time
was making ten knots an hour agar st
the stream. At $50 o'clock the frorch
fleet m chored In front OF the French lega-
tlon at Bangkok. The fire he'd little ef-
feet, owing to the darkness.
Rejoicing Of the German Press.
TERLIN. July 8-The Tageblatt re-
ioites over the prospect that Eigland.
VINO scornfully holds aloof from the Drei-
bund. may become embroled with Franc
over the Siamese affairs.
England. says the Tagebatt, will be
taught a lesson, and she need not expect
to receive German support.
Other newspapers express similar sem
timents. although In milder language
PARIS, July 26-The Chinese Charge
d Affaires. 1t - stated. informed NJ. De-
velle that Siam had no territory east of
the Mekong as far north as latitude y.
which parallel was claimed by the French
as the northern limit OF sheir influence.
He regarded IL as unlikely that the Black
Flags would join Siam I'm the event ~
hostllities with France, but he thought
that II they saw France and Slam en-
broiled the Black Flags might resume
the offensive I'm Tonquin.