Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-07-28
ENGLAND IS NOTIFIED.
The Blockade of Siamese Ports
Taken Up in the House of
Commons.
Bitain's Forces at Bangkok
Sufficient to Protect Her
Subjects.

commons Mr.. John Long, Advanced
Liberal, asked if the government was
aware that British subjects mad rights
over 40 square miles of land on the
siamese peninsula for the working of
ruby and sapphire mines and asked
what steps had been taken to guard
British interests. Sir Edward Gray,
foreign secretary, replied that the gov
eminent was aware that the land was
controlled by British subjects, but they
were west of the Mekong river and
were not included in the territorial de-
mands made by France. Hon. George
n Curzon. Conservative, asked whether
France had not notified Great Britain
that she had
Establishing Blockade
Of the Siamese coast; whether the es-
tablishment of such blockade would
be regarded as an act of belligerency
between France and Siam; whether the
blockade had been or would be recog-
nized by Great Britain and what meas
ures the government proposed to take
IN regard to the matter. Sir Edward
Grey replied that Great Britain had re-
celved from France verbal notice of the
intention Of the French government to
blockade the Siamese coast. The
blockade would certainly be an act of
eelligerency. The British government.
Sir Edward added, proposed to ccn-
tlnue its present protection of the lives
and property of British subjects in
Bangkok. The government thought
that the value that attaches to declar-
alton of blockade must vary with the
circumstances of each particular case.
No Details Given.
Mr.. Curzon then asked, "Suprose
any British vessel, even ship carrying
Inc mail, should ascend the Mekong
river after Thursday, will it risk being
captured or fired upon by the French,
and if SO, what steps will the govern
ment take to mitigate such state of
affairs, and, further, when may we ex-
pect notification of the proceedings of
Our ambassador in PARISH
olr Edward stated that any further
communications he might make to the
mouse must depend upon the commune
gallons now passing between Great
britain and France. AS to the details
VI the blockade he must state that the
government had only just received no.
"ee OF the fact of the intended block
aoe' he added that he must ask that
uue notice lie given of other questions
Tue members desired to ask.
Subjects Will BE Protected.
ut. Hon. Sir Charles Dixie, Advanced
radical, asked: "Will there be dec
,a,at'on l1n! of war or merely an implied
eI'gerency? Will not the blockade be
established under the pretense of its be-
'Hs what is called pacific blockade3'"
or Edward replied: Il cannot add
anything to what I have said. hope
~; " pe able to give you further inforlna-
s1 uvh thursday. 1t would not be advis-
a' aole nor to the public interest to make
'"y y. lurther statement today.
or Richard Temple, Conservative,
a.Aeo II the government was taking
bps ps:p,s 70 secure some equality in the
D''tlsh and French naval forces in ST.
Smese naval waters. This question
S%ought w.. forth cries of, Don't answer"
,ha va' Sir Edward replied: Il assured
tho w. house on previous occasion, and
Dc. Dc assurance still holds, that Great
H., tL,.'a'n has sufficient force off Bang
NO .n 70 protect British subjects and
Poperty.n