Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-15
WAR In THE MENAM.
FRENCH SHIPS FORCE A PASSAGE
TO- THE SlAMeSe CAPITAL.
They Seem to DO So, However, Under .
Misappreheusion OF orders-Their
Action Cnsustained.
[By Anglo-Amercan cabIo % mo pI.pa,ch. ]

fHy Anglo-American cable 10 The Dispatch.
LONDON, July IA dispatch from
Bangkok, the capital Of Siams states that
twenty Siamese were killed and fourteen
wounded yesterday during an exchange Of
firing between the forts at the mouth Of
the Menam river and the French gun
boats Comete and Inconstante. which
forced the passage Of tho bar in the face of
orders from the Siamese Government pro-
hibiung their entry INTO the river.
FRENCH COMMANDERS At FAULT.
BANGKOK. July 1.-THE French Minister
has informed the Siamese goycrnment that
the commanders of the Cunboats Comet
and Inconstant misunderstood the situa-
ton when they fired upon the Paknam
forts and ascCnded the Menam river.
Their instructions contemplated no such
action. The anxiety which prevailed
throughout the city yesterday and last
night has been partly allayed by the arrl-
val of another GunbOat.
HUMAN TOO PREVIOUS"
PARIS. July IA semi-ofiicial note 10 he
published tomorrow explains the Bang
kok incident thus: France learning that
England and other nations were sending
var-yessels TO Bangkok. notified the Sla-
ton TO increase the French naval force at
the mouth of the Menam river, where only
the gunboat Lutin afforded protection to
the French resident. In accordance with
article 10 Of the treaty Of 1886. French mon-
of-war have right TO enterthe Menam rivef
and anchor of PaHnam, but must give tho
Siamese notice to arrange for their anchor-
age in case OF their intention TO ascend
the river 10 Bangkok. As, however, no
II. .Ia
Nenam river, SIAM having objected 20 the
presence OF more than one foreign vessel,
France, while reseryiug her formal treaty
RIGHTS instructed Rear Admiral Human
not 10 cross the mouth of the Menam river
and notified the Slamese government ac-
| cordlngly. The order was received too
late bv Human and tho gunboats as
conded to Bangkok
AMERICAN ISTFBTsrs.
WAsuNGToN. ID. c.. July 1.-The only
| official nows OF the trouble between
| French and Siamese received at the state
| Department was contained IN brief
| cablegram from Acting Consul General
| Bovd at Bangkok, stating that after an
| hours engagement French vessels had
| passed the forts below Bangkok.
| 1t il not tho present intention or the
department to specially Dispatch an
! American war.vessel to tho scene of the
| war in view of tho fact that American ln-
| terests IN Siam arc insignificant. being
| confined to small trade IN teak wood,
| Nevertheless, it Is apprehended that II the
war assumes formidable proportions the
| Siamese will make 1t very unpleasant toI
| foreign residents, including the few Amer
cans there. as hOstllItles are apt TO b'
| characterized on one sld0 By the summary
proceedings known TO sem'-barbaf0u;
| nations. II such q state ot affairs obtains,
| however, the United States will not ia
without vessel IN SIameso waters. "a the
| United States steamer Concord. now or
| her way 10 China will 10 IN thatnelghbor
| hood in the course of two months.