The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-22
FRANCES CLAIMS IN SIAM.
No Reply to the Governments Ulti-
matum Received Yet.

Dependent on frances Territorial
Demands-GermanyS Sends Warships
to tho Scene of Trouble.
London, July 2L-In response to ques-
tioDs asked in the House Of Commons to-
day in regard to the ranco-Siamese dis
pute, Sir Edward Gray, parliamentary
secretary of the foreign office, said that
the following terms of the ultimatum
sent by France to Siam contained in a
telegram from Bangkok tailed with those
France had communicated to Great
Britain, but gave the terms in fuller de
tail First, recognition of the rights Of
AMMAN and CGmbolia on the left or
eastern bank of the Mekong river;
second, the evacuation of the forts held
there by the Siamese within a month;
third, full satisfaction for various aggres-
SiOns against French ships and French
sailors on the Menam river; fourth, pun
ishmcnt of culprits and provision for the
pecuniary indemnity Of the victims; fifth,
indemnity of 100000 francs for various
damages sustained by French subjects;
and sixth, the immediate deposit of
3,000,0 600 francs to guarantee payment of
the Fourth and fifth claims, or assignment
of taxes in certain districts in lieu of the
deposit of 100000 francs.
ALL IN THE DARK
Sir Edward Grey stated that he was at
present unable to say in what sense or
with what geographical limitations the
French demand was made He expected
early information from Lord DutTerin,
whose leave of absence from Paris had
been cancelled, and who had been order
ed to return to his post. When
asked what steps the government
proposed TO take to avert so
tNv Iav - J.
ened blockade of the Menam river would
be, Sir Edward replied that he could only
report that the government was most de-
sirOuS of a friendly settlement Of the dis
pute. He could not at present announce
that any definite steps had been taken.
WANTS MORE TIME GIVEN.
Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, conservd-
tive, pressed the government to obtain an
extension of the period granted in the
ultmatum Sir Edward said he did not
think that such interference would con
duce to a friendly settlement of the ques-
tion. This statement was greeted with
cries of hear, hear"
Sir Bartlett asked if the ultimatum
might not become un fait accompli be-
fore great Britain received Frances
answer.
Sir Edward replied that as regards the
only point really concerning Great Brit
ain, namely, the territorial arrangement,
the government was still in cOmmuniCa-
tion with the government Of France, No
geographical limitation had yet been laid
down.
Great Britain informed Siam yester
day that she could not recognize any OBJ
legation to assist her. 1t is evident, there
fore, that the Siamese government must
patch up as best it can most of its differ
ences with France. In the territorial ar
rangement, however, Great Britain will
have a voice. The exact nature of her
demands cannot be ascertained before
France shall specify more particularly
than she has specified in her ultimatum
the boundaries of the territory 10 be
brought under French control The ulti-
matum is notably indefinite as regards
this point even Siam is still in the dark
and her efforts to obtain light from the
French minister bid far to remain vain
for several days. The vital part of
the French demand for territory may
include the whole left bank for
the Mekong river. This territory Siam
will not surrender wit hout struggle
France has given Siam month ia which
to Withdraw from the forts on the lower
Mekong. Sium manifests ali willingness
to pay France the indemnity demanded
for injuries TO French citizens aud prop
erty, although the indemnity specified by
France is far in excess of the damages.
ESGLAND ON THE ALERT.
Important communications have passed
to-day between the foreign Office and H.
NJ Jones, British minister resident in
Bangkok Vice Anmiral Fremantlc,
commander in chief of the Chinese divis-
ion of the feet, is fastening 70 Singapore,
where dispatches from the admiralty
await him The greater part of the
squadron under his command accompanied
| him.
SIAM EXPECTED TO GIVE IN.
The Bangkok correspondent of the
| Daily Chronicle says Tho concession
! of the French demands tomorrow (Satur-
| day) is probable, though a section of the
| Siamese ca biuet Counscls defiance.
The French gunbOats are making
| special preparations for the event Of a
| refusal The British minister has warned
| British subjects that in view Of the cri-
| tical situation the Siamese navy will
| be unable to afford any protection and will
undoubtedly be captured in the event Of
fighting The landing of foreign troops
| is regarded as probable. The acting
| government of the district near Luang
| Pra bang is acting in the French interest "
| The Paris correspondent of the Times
! SAYS: M Bevcllo, even If desirous OF do
| ing so. after seing the Marquis of Duf-
! ferin, cannot modify his demands on
| Siam before the As hours allowed for
| Slams answer TO the ultimatum shall
! have expired. Then, however, French
action will be irrevocably fixed. This
makes 1t easier 10 express opinions on the
MARQUIS Of Dufferius S return the obvious
result of which will he that the appoint
ment of NJ. Decrais, formerly ambassador
to Austria as ambassador To England,
will be gazetted forthwith"
TELEGRAPH WIRES CUT.
Siagon, July 2l-Thc land telegraph
wires between this city and Bangkok
have been cut by the Siamese. This will
cause some delay in the transmission Of
dispatches 10 the French war ships at
Bangkok, as all messages will have to be
sent via Singapore, Madras Calcutta,
and 50 on over the line that extends
northeasterly from Bangkok to Elephant
point.
ACTION OF THE wARsHIP5.
Paris, July 21.-The Belligerent atti-
tude of the French gunboats before Bang
kok is generally approved by the Paris
editors on the ground that The recent
conduct Of the SiameSe has warned them
to be on guard against a sudden attack
from the palace. II is hoped, however,
that the necessity for the threatening
performance will soon disappear, as long
continuation might lead to rogrettable
incident. Rear Admiral Human, a
newspaper says, will recall the gunboats
outside the bar in case the ultinatum be
rejected as the river at Bangkok IS too