The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-27
INDIGNANT CHINAMEN.
Trying TO Force the Government
Into the Siamese Dispute.
THE BRITISH INTERESTS IN SIAM

teFy OF the Foreign Office. Declares Tia
the French Blockade viii be an ct of
Beliigerency-M. Pavie Leaves Bangkok
eminent has received the news of Frances
territorial demands upon Siam with
amazement and Indignation. That France
should lay claim to country up to the
twenty-third parallel is regarded rs an in
trusion upon the rights of China, for ut
Pekin the contention is that both banks of
the Mekong to n point well south of the
twenty-third parallel are Chinese possess
slons. The Mandarin party, which is Bit
terly anti-French, is trying to force the
government to interfere.
PARIS, July ga cabinet council was
held yesterday at Marly-Le-Roi, where
President Carnot is temporarily sojourn-
Ing. M. Carnot presided over the DELHI
crations. which were entirely devoted to
the Siamese question. After the council
rose 1t was stated that the government
had taken such measures to safeguard the
interests and dignity Of France as were
considered from Slams reply to the
French ultimatum to have been rendered
necessary.
is stated emi-offically that the block
ado will not be confined to the estuary of
the Menam, but that the rivers east and
Human will occupy an island eighteen
miles from the Nepam. It is reported also
that there is no intention to lombard Bang.
kOk, although the batteries on both sides
of the river at Paknam and on the island in
midstream will be destroyed. The Royal
Palace. where L., 600 soldiers are believed to
he massed, will be attacked and occupied
The Debats, after noting that the region
south of the twenty-third parallel, to
which France hopes to extend her territory
in Siam, includes the provinces ceded by
Great Britain to Siam after the Burmese
war, makes these comments: 'This, we
believe, is what the marquis of Dufferin
was charged to represent to NJ. Develle,
and what China has also directed atten-
tion to. 1t is useless, therefore, to shut
our eyes to the fact that beyond certain
points, we no longer have to deal with
Siam, but perhaps with England, and GER
tainly with China''
The Chinese charge d'atfaires called OH
NJ. Develle, minister of foreign affairs,
and explained the Chinese governments
views of the Franco -Siamese dispute.
dispatch from Bangkok states that NJ.
Pavie, French minister resident, started
down the river yesterday afternoon on the
warship Incorstmte, accompanied by the
warships Lutin and Comete. All was uuieJ
in the city.
LONDON, July 26.-In the house of COM
mons Mr.. John Leng, Advanced Liberal,
asked if the government was aware that
British subjects possessed rights over
forty square miles of land in the Siamese
provinces of Chantaborn. Krat and Bat
tambang for working ruby and sapphire
mines, and whether, in the event of France
anneXing these provinces, care would be
taken to guard British interests.
Sir E'1 ovid IL;
tary of the foreign office, stated in reply
that the government was aware of the
mining rights held in Siam by British sub
jects, but he pointed out that the province
in which these rights are held lie to the
west of the Mekong river, and were not
therefore included. in the territorial de-
mands made by France.
Hon. George y. Curzon, Conservative,
asked whether France had notified Great
Britain that she had established a block
ade of the Siamese coast; whether the
establishment of such blockade would
be regarded as an act of belligerency be-
tween France and Siam; whether the
blockade had been or would be recognized
by Great Britain and what the govern
ment proposed to do in regard to the mat
ter.
Sir Edward Grey replied that Great
Britain had received from France verbal
notice of the intention of the French gov
eminent to blockade the Siamese coast.
The blockade would certainly be an act of
belligerency. The British government,
Sir Edward added, proposed to continue
its present protection of the lives of Brit
ish subjects in Bangkok and of the prop
erty of British subjects.
MIR. CurZon then asked: Suppose any
British vessel, even a ship carrying mails,
should ascend the Menam river after
Thursday, will it risk being captured or
fired upon by the French? If so, what
steps will the government take to miti-
gate such II state of affairs? And further.
when may we expect notification of the
proceedings of our ambassador in Paris?"
Sir Edward stated that any further com
munication 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
intended blockade.
Sir Charles Dixie asked: "Will there be
declaration of war, or merely an implied
belligerency? Will not the blockade be
established under the pretense of its being
what is called a pacific blockade?'"
Sir Edward replied: Il can't add any
thing to what have said. Great Britain
has sufficient force off Bangkok to pro-
tect British subjects and property"
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