The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-07-25


quosted the government to provide pilots to
conduct the Lutin and Comte down the river.
French subjects in Bangkok will be placed
under the protection of the Dutch consul.
LONDON, July 25.-A Bangkok telegram,
published In London, declares that the
Siamese government offers to pay an in
creased indemnity in lieu of the cession of
the province Of Luanj Pradang to France.
Either the correspondent has been misin-
formed or the French government has mis-
represented the text of Slams reply, as
impaired to the Paris press What is quite
certain Is that we have not yet seen the
verbatim report of the ultimstum.
Suspicion exists in many quarters that
France has Intentionally withheld a part
of the ultimatum and the reply, and as
the session of the chamber is closed, the
public have little chance of learning the
real position. NJ. Pavie's official dis
patches containing the text of the reply
arrived in some confusion, and, being in
cipher, an omission, such as has been re-
ferred to, could be easily explained away.
Accompanying the telegram to the Siam
ese legation in Paris, containing Slams
reply, was another dispatch with confiden-
tial instructions, which has not been pub
lished, but which was retransmitted to
Lord Rosebery. This may, perhaps have
contained the offer of an increased in
demnity.
The eighteenth parallel of latitude men
toned in the Siamese governments reply
cuts the Mekong river in line with Khan
Muon, where Captain Luce is now operat-
ing with French force. The French
claim, In fact, fixed the twenty-third par
allel on the northern boundary. As the
northern frontier Of Cambodia Is along
the fourteenth parallel, Siam in her reply
grants only half of the French demands.
The situation is extremely critical The
conciltatory reply is entirely due to the di-
rect influence of the king of Siam; but, in
the present temper Of the Siamese, he may
be unable to prevent some untoward Incl
dents, such as firing on the gunboat In
constante as she passes down the river,
with NJ Pavie on board If this should
occur, the French would Immediately
lombard Bangkok The Paris Figaro
ascribes Slams request for an expansion
of time, and desire to prolong negotia-
tions, to an intention to render the French
gunboats impotent by exhaustlng their
coal supplies before they are able to leave |
the river.
The Siamese warships are anchored a |
mile higher up than the French, and |
around bend of the river, which shelters |
them from sudden French attack The |
current on the Menam is very swift, and |
would give them a distinct advantage in |
descending upon the French vessels, which |
would be compelled 10 slip their anchors |
and manoeuvre at a disadvantage.
The London papers are filled with lead
ing articles in which France is charged |
with aiming at the commerce of England
and other countries having commercial
relations with Siam, and warning the re-
public not to go too far.
The Times says editorially: "England's
main objection in the matter Is against
making British and French possessions in
Asia conterminOus If she so desired she
might warn France of the dangers she is
running by reminding her of the Tonquin
liasoo."
The Standard says; THE terms that
France is trying to impose on Siam would
DO undefendable in any court OF interpa.
.ional morality. The remarkable expe
renee which we gained from the occupa-
ZION Of Tunis of the methods of French
diplomacy forbids us to accept too conad-
ngly the published program Of the Quai
fOrsay. tits the Earl Of Roseberry's duty
% tell France plainly that she is pledged
20 respect the independence of this buffer
itate We cannot remain inactive in the
ACE of Frances preparations for contrary
lction,"
PARIS, July 25.-The Paris Soir uttsrs a
threat that France and Russia will com
pine to put the screws on England. and
iays, 1.-The concordance between the Rus
,ian movement in the Pamirs, and that of
France in Siam, has not been sufficiently
'emarked. 1t may be mentioned in pass.
ng that Russia hides the nature of her nd.
rance in the Pamir by calling It a scientific
expedition"
The Liberte says that the French gun
boats probably will go down the river
she'll and destroy the Paknam forts, and
then return TO their positions before Bang
kok TO lombard the palace. Some painful |
measure is necessary, adds this journal. |
for the preservation of Frances prestige. |
The Debats thinks the Siamese will be |
provided suTeptitiously by England with |
all the arms they need. The majority of |
the Paris newspapers devote as much /
space to denunciatious of ENGLAND as TO |
the matter at issue between France and |
Siam England is reproached by them |
with supporting the Siamese in their op- |
position to Frances Just demands and /
with planning to give the Siamese secret |
aid when hostilities begin.
The Temps says that the beginning Of
ihe blockade will be deferred until Thurs
lay or Friday to enable France to take the
'teps prescribed international law. Be
ides the blockade, military operations
viii be opened shortly. The details OF
hsse operations are still undstsEminsd,