Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-24
TO BLOCKADE SIAM.
France Has Notified the Powers Of
Her Intentions.
ENGLAND SAID TO Be INTERFERING.
Indignant Expressions of the Lon
don Papers.
SIAMESE WARSHIPS READY.

PARIS, July "a. noon.-The foreign once
has not yet notified the powers Of the in
tention Of France to blockade the Menam
river. 1t is stated that NJ. Pavie, the
French minister to Siam. has been ordered
to leave Bangkok in twenty-four hours.
NJ. Develle had a long conference with
Premier Dupuy all yesterday. Only at the
last minute was II decided TO impart TO the
press Slams reply and the governments
decision. 1t is stated that NJ. De.elle has
notified Admiral Human TO proceed at
once to declare the blockade.
The Soir comments thus IN an extra edi-
ton on Slams reply: .'Siam comedies only
the least important of the conditions put
by France. Her resistance Is due OBJ
viously to English influence; NJ. Develle
to Lord Dufferin.''
VIII Blockade the siamese Coast
The government has notified the powers
that IL intended to establish a blockade OF
the Siamese coast without prejudice 10 the
other measures that may be taken with the
object OF securing to France the guaran-
A council OF ministers will be held to-
morrow to decide what additional measures
shall be taken to insure the obtaining OF
guarantees from Siam.
President Carnot is at Marly-le-Roi and
the cabinet will go there for deliberation.
The ministers Will meet at O'Clock to-
morrow morning. President Carnot pre-
siding.
The French government is making ar
rangements with another government for
the protection of French subjects in Siam
during the absence from Bangkok Of M.
Pavie, the French minister.
Siamese Warships Heady for Action.
LONDON, July 24.-The Bangkok cor
respondent OF the Daily Chronicle tele-
graphs under yesterdays date: The
Siamese war ships which are anchored one
mile from the French are crowded with
men ready for action. Their intention is
IN case the French commence hostilities
to steam down and ram the French gun
boats, attempt to board them in force and
attack the crews with fixed oayonets. The
German gun boat Wolf has arrived here"
4 special to the Chronicle frola Paris
to Siam leaves 70 doubt as to Frances in
tentions. She would much prefer not 70
receive money down from Sian- The al
the coveted districts Of Angkor and Bat
tambang is far more to he- taste.
Opinion of the English Press.
The Times this morning publishes an edi-
torial which, it is thought. expresses the
general English opinion Of the merits of
the Franco-Siamese dispute. In comment
ing upon Slams answer to the French ulti-
matum the Times says: Slams refusal 70
concede territory to which France never
put in an effective claim until the other da )
tensibly directed against Siam, but really
striking at the commerce OF England and
other countries having commercial relations
The Globe says: The fragrant French ag.
gression is aimed at England. Siam Il
merely pretext. Hence the duty OF the
British foreign Office is one of extraordi-
nary difficulty. England's place in the sit
uation is paramount FirInness is neces-
sary, for doubtless France is counting upon
the feebleness OF the British counsels. She
IS no. hungry for war nearer home than
the Mekong river"
The ST. James Gazette says: zone
thought conveyed by Slams reply TO the
French ultimatum is that she has suffered
enough humiliation for a small power that
has been unfortunate enough TO get in the
way of big one. But France has gone
forth to grab and to eXtort her desires at
the cannons mouth. We can endure the
pillage Of Siam to the eighteenth parallel
OF latitude, but the pillage OF Siam, China
ana Burmah TO the twenty-third parallel is
different matter. We are afraid that
Lord Roseberry Cthe British foreign minis
teri must let the governn ents at Bangkok
and Paris know that this is going a tIifie
too far. Such a check in the present tenn
per of the French may have serious re-
suits"
The Pail Mall Gazette commenting upon
the situation in an article headed BLACK
mall, says: Siam has spoken with dig
nifty and moderation. She gives up too
much. but she does not for a moment
recognize the other preposterous demands
made upon her. In regard to these de-
We must not hesitate to let our voice be
heard. Lord Roseberry and Lord Dufferin
Uhe British ambassador TO France) must
be alert and NJ. Develle ORANGES foreign
minister careful. If France cherishes the
idea of bombarding Bangkok let her re-
member that the English gunboats in Sia-
mese waters could blow the French gum
boats out Of the water in half an hour.
Let France pocket her blackmail and be
content"