The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-01

The money indemnity OF three million dol
lars had been paid. and the requisite meas
ures had been taken for tho surrender OF
the few posts occupied by the siamese on
the left bank of the Mekong. The French
upon their part. however. refused to with
draw from district on the right bank OF
that river which they had seized by way
OF security for Slams fulfllment Of her
obligations. This was not oil. The French
Minister at Bangkok demanded that the
siameee Government should pledge itself
that oil future concessions for roads. rail-
ways. canals. and other public works on the
right bank Of the Mekong should be given
exclusively to Frenchmen. It is obvious
that such an agreement would bring French
men into the heart OF Siam and give them
monopoly OF communication between the
great natural highways Of the country. Nor
did the exactions OF the French Minister
stop here. He insisted that all the foreign
ers serving In the Siamese navy should be
immediately dismissed. A compliance with
this summons would not only render the
naval force quite worthless. but would en-
courage demands for the expulsion OF for
eigners from other branches OF the public
service. a step which would be followed by
the enforced substitution OF Frenchmen.
The inevitable effect Of such proceedings
would be to establish practically, IL not
avowedly, French protectorate at Bang
kok. and to reduce the Siamese sovereign to
the position Of the Bey Of Tunis.
England. as we have said, seems to have
no status for complaining OF the conduct Of
France in this matter because Lord ROSE
Berry committed what many observers at
the time deemed the mistake OF refusing to
espouse openly the cause Of Siam. and con-
fined himself to the defence OF certain Brit
ish interests, which have in fact been con-
served. But. although one cannot see what
ground Is now left to the British Foreign
Office for openly Directing to the gradual
erection Of French protectorate at Bang
kok. diplomacy has many roundabout and
subterranean ways OF promoting a desired
result. Where England can scarcely act in
her own name. she can put forward China
In her place. Siam is tributary State Of
the Middle Kingdom. and the Pekin Govern
ment has an indisputable right to resist an
attempt to convert It's vassal into French
dependency. Should it choose to exercise
the right. 1t can give the French great
deal Of trouble. as their experience in Tom
quin has proved. ENJOYS from Slam are now
said to be pressing their claims for support
upon LII HUNG CHANG. Viceroy of Chih-li.
and director Of the Chinese foreign policy.
His decision Is likely to be largely in
fiuenced by private assurances with regard
to the probable attitude Of England In GER
tain contingencies. The good will OF the
Pekln Government has become extremely
important in the eyes OF the British Foreign
Office since the approach of Russia to the
confines Of India; and should China deter
mine to defend Siam on the ground that
she Is protecting her vassal. it is scarcely
likely that England would permit the coer-
cion of the Middle Kingdom by the bonn
bardment Of one OF Its great seaports at
the hands of French fleet.
It Is pretty clear. at all events. that we
have not yet heard the last Of the Siamese
affair. The French are evidently deter
mined to make the most of their advan-
tages. but they may find out that little
Siam Is not SO friendless as she seems.