The record-union., 1893-07-31
Special to the REcoED-UN1ox.

Elysee this evening, President Carnot
presiding. After deciding to accept
Siam's concession the Ministers deferred
further definite action until measures
should have been taken to guarantee
Siam's fuliillment of the French de-
mands. They took steps, however, to in
form Pavie, French Minister resident,
now at Kop ST Chang, of SIam's accept
ance of the ultmatum and the consequent
action to-day of the Council. Another
meeting for the discussion Of the steps
necessary in settling the boundary ques-
ton between France and Great Britain
will be held on Tuesday.
TERMS OF THE ULTIMATUM.
BANGKOK, July 30.-The Siamese Gov
ernment has accepted the full terms Of
the French ultimatum, the substance of
which is as follows:
irst-Recognition of the rights of
France in Anam and Cambodia on the
left or eastern bank of the Mel<ong River
as far north as the twenty third parallel
of latitude.
Second-The evacuation within the
month of the forts held by the Siamese
on the east bank of the river.
Third-Full satisfaction for various
Siamese aggressions against French ships
and French sailors on the Menam River.
Fourth-The punishment of the culprits
and provision for pecuniary indemnity
to the victims.
Filth-An indemnity of 1900, 900 francs
for various damage sustained by French
subjects.
Sixth-The immediate deposit of ,O0O,-
GOO francs to guarantee the payment of
the fourth and fifth clauses, or the assign
ment of taxes in certain districts in lieu
of the deposit of 3, 900, 900 francs.
This ultimatum was sent July 10, sand
forty-eight hours were allowed for Siam
to make answer to the French demands.
July q, Pavie the French Minister at
Bangkok. presented the ultimatum to
Prince Devongse, the Siamese Foreign
Minister. July 23d Siam replied, stating
the King was at loss to understand what
the rights of Anam and Cambodia were
on the left bank OF the Mekong River.
The King-e xpressed his willingness to
abandon all territories over which the ex-
istence Of these rights could be proved.
and called attention to the fact that five
months previously he had proposed to
submit all contested territorial questions
to international arbitration in the in
terests of peace. However, the King Of
fered TO surrender territory AS far north
as the eighteenth degree of latitude, but
no further, and proposed that the islands
in the Mekong River be used in common
by Siam and France. All other points of
the ultimatum were conceded.
Th is answer was not satisfactory
TO France, and consequently Pavie
withdrew from Bangkok on gun
boat, and the French warships in the
Menam River went to Kohisi- Chang. an
island near the head of the Gulf of Siam,
where they joined the French fleet under
command of Admiral Human. France
then determined to blockade the Siam ese
coast.
Despite official denials Of reports, Cab
met discussions multiply. 1t is said that
last Wednesday Under-Secretary Delcasse
proposed treaty with Siam on the lines
of Frances policy towards Madagascar
a protectorate to be established and all of
Siam's relations with other states settled
through the French Government.
Develle replied hotly that such a pro-
posal would not be considered by the
present Ministry. He himself had
pledged the Government publicly to
respect Slams independence, and rather
than violate his pledge he would resign.
Delcasse proposed the occupation of
Angkor and Battambarg as an alterna-
tive.
Develle refused to agree to this, holding
that he would only consent to a pacific
blockade.
The next day Delcasse informed Pre-
mier Dupuy of his intention to resign,
because he was convinced that pacific
blockade was inadequate. The differ
ences between himself and Develle,
however, were partially adjusted, but he
is known to be dissatisfied, and on the
point of resigning.
These reports induced advanced Radi-
cal newspapers to attack Develle, on the
ground that he knuckled under to Great
Britain. Whatever effect these attacks
may have on domestic politics, it is
reasonably certain that they will not in
terfere with the settlement of the Siamese
question virtually within the limits de-
termined by Great Britain.
THE BLOCKADE STILL MAINTAINED.
BANGKOK, July 30.-While the Gov
ernment of Siam has accepted without
reservations Frances ultimatum, it re-
ceived previously assurance that the
kingdom would not be dismembered un-
til after consideration by all powers con-
cerned of Frances demand for territory
between the eighteenth and twenty-third
parallels. The blockade is still main
tanned. British and German warships
still remain at Menam Bar, inside the
blockade limits. British Government
mail is allowed to pass, but mercantile
spondence with Siamese firms is cut
ot1. The French have seized the Siamese
mail steamer Chantaboom and the Hong
kong steamer Phrachula.
LONDON PRESS COMMENT.
LONDON, July 30.-Various papers COM
ment on the Siam affair according to their
attitude toward the Government
The Graphic says: on the surface it
looks as if Great Britain received check
to her prestige in only arranging effectu-
ally to safeguard British commercial in
terests. Now a protectorate over the
whole of Siam west of the Mekong is
necessary to restore this prestige. Any