New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-23

ToR1A DIsAsTER-THE COAL STRIKE
MRS. EAMES-STORY- IRVING.
CABLE TO THE
copwfoht; 1898 Bv,hc Tribune association.
London, July 22-That spirit of aggressive
rapacity which has so often been the spirit Of
France in her dealings with weaker foreign
powers has rcappcared in her controversy with
Siam. II is visible in the rather piratical enter
prises Of the French gunboats of Bangkok 1t
is audible alike in the speeches OF her Foreign
Minister TO the Chamber and in the tor" OF
the most serious and respectable French papers
She has at best disputablc case and a doubtful
grievance against Siam. She acts as if right
were wholly on her side. as if she did not
care whether il were not. Siamcse Official
has probably murdered French official engaged
in hostile expedition The Slamese had the
incredible cfrrontcry TO capture French officer
invading Siamese territory with military force
in time Of peace These are the grievances which
Siam has acknowledged by undertaking to in
vestiCate the acts of her mandarin and by re-
leasing the French captain. The French. on the
other hand in violation of their treaty with SIAM
have sent gunboats into the River Menam, the
passage of which they forced: and, III violation
of every principle of international law. have
sent an ultimatum to the Siamcse Governments
emhodyng a demand for the surrender OF terrl-
tory admittedly belonging to Siam. To winch the
French have absolutely no other claim tlah
that founded on their own convenience ana on
the possession Of superior force France demands
$4,000 square miles of territory, besides a few
paltry millions of francs. for damages which, if
genuine a few thousands would cover.
There is to be no inquiry into the facts, no
negotiation, no opportunity for Siam to DO so
much AS to state her own view of her own
Cbo to linda Capt
fourth larger than France in area, and she Is to
submit within forty-eight hours 10 humiliation. dis
memberment and probable ruin. If she refuses,
war follows Such, stripped of technicalitcs ana
details, are the facts, which all NJ. Develes
phrases in the French Chamber cannot obscure.
These events occur in a part OF the word so
remote, and are so entirely in unison with the
habitual policy of France toward Oriental races
that they might have attracted little attenion'
were it not that they threaten 10 bring france
into collision with England. Siam Is what Is
known in the iargon of Oriental diplomacy as
buffer state, intcrpoSing considerable ana most
useful stretch Of territory between the frehch
and British frontiers. England has moreover an
important commerce with Siam. France having
next 10 none: and English subjects inhabit
bangkok in considerable numbers. She cannot
therefore. tolerate French encroachments which
or the treaty and trade rights of her own people
She is bound to protect both. and has given
notice TO France 10 that effect. At the same
time. whatever may be her opinion of French
PROCEEDINGS toward Siam, she Will not interfere
so long rs her own interests are not Affected
Lord Rosebery has stated the English view
in the House of Lords with such singular modcr-
alton and frmness that even the AngophooeS
of France, who appear TO include nearly the whole
population, can find cause Of offence In his
language. In England, on the other hand, 1t If
felt that Lord Roseberys civil words indicate no
weakness Of purpose. His courage and capacity
are so well known here as to command the con-
fidence of both parties They are so we'll known
in France that il is not expected France Will
extend her enterprises TO point Which might
compel him 10 interpOsc. Those are the outlines
of the situation II is critical, but probably not
dangerous, unless it should happen too often
that dispatches from Paris arrive too late TO
prevent eager naval officers the spot from
taking the law into their own hands.
Meantime Lord Dufferin returns 10 France
temporarily He had been withdrawn by the
English Foreign Minister account of the long
continued and scandalous. personal attacks OF
the baser Paris papers, eXtenuated even by the
less base. In ell civilized and in most barbarous
countries ambassador is held sacred. ana the
Government to which he is accredited finds means
Of protecting him from abuse A. well as from
violence. France is the exception. True. Offend
ing papers may be prosecuted, but only at the
instieation of the amba ssador: provision which,
whether or not the authors Of this singular press
law intended il, makes prosecution impossible
No ambassador would think il consistent with
his dignity to ask for the indictment of these
gutter journals of any journal. No foreign
II, ftvn N
mt himself in that humiliating attitude. On
the other hand, no Government could suffer an
ambassador to be reviled and insulted forever.
Lord Rosebery's patience almost scriptural
hut AT last convinced that no redress to be
had lie told Lord DufTerin to come home. II he
now sends him back il is. a. | understand,
solely for the conduct of negotiations relating to
siam Those finished Lord Duirerin will once
more find himself in need of sea air at Walmcr,
and his duties as Lord Warden of the Cinque
Ports will again become imperative
The Newfoundland business NAV detain him
a more delicate difficulty than siam There Is
nothing in the lobster question when aroi'ratioh
might not settle in a week but Ncwiouhuian"'
nnhappily. has 10 be dealt with IN Egyp'. Inc
French keen every sore open long as England
o1;nos % tho hanks of the Nile. The visit OF the
Kbedive 10 the Sultan is a third dif1cuity' ana
nerhaps Madagascar fourth. Ten days ago there
WAS NOT a cloud OH the horizon. Now they
gather from all quarters at once.
The grateful German Emperor has bestowed
certificate of good conduct upon his Chancellor as
a fitting Imperial reward for his eNcr'ions III
behalf Of the Army bill. He praises Count Won
Caprivi's technical ability. staiesmanlike JUG
ment. and strenuous devotion. displayed In every
stage of the proceedings" 1t now only remains
for Count Won Caprivi TO express his sense o' ',c
Emperors ability, judgment. and statesn"',''"'
good sense, and the comedy VIII oe cum
The MASSAGE OF the ARMY bill was hotorIou'i9