The sun., 1893-07-27
SIAM IS MUCH SURPRISED.
sur siTs FRANCE MIsCONsTRUED
urR REPLY TO THE UL1IMdTUM.

b,t tho People Fondiy Expect that the
H,oerado VIII he Declared This Week.
Belief that England VIII Vigorously De-
lend Her Commerce-It ~ Said Now that
England May Join the Triple Alliance
The French VIII Seizo More islands.
pms, July 26.-France has not yet officially
declared the blockade OF the Siamese const.
The Government has been further embar-
rassed to-day by note from Siam expressing
surprlsc that tho reply to the ultlmatum has
beer construed as a refusal. and setting forth
that every definite claim therein has been con-
ceded.
Public interest centres almost entirely in the
attitude Of England. which is still concealed
The delay in the official announcement OF hos
tlitles strengthens the impression that Great
Britain will vigorously protect her commerce
with Siam. which is the only interest really
threatened by the blockade. The grave i'm
mort OF such a stand serves only to increase
the popular demand for policy Of reckless
aggression.
There are fortunately some signs Of hesta-
tion on tho part OF the French Cabinet. but the
masses fondly expect tho blockade to begin
10. morrow or Friday.
LONDON July 26.-The French -Sinmese i'm
broglio may lead to a serious crisis in Glad
etone's Cabinet. The situation absorbs alton
tion In political circles, and some sensational
stories are afloat The most startling report
An the House Of Commons lobbies tonight Is
10 the effect that Lord Rosebery has been held
back in applying vigorous policy by the Pre-
mier and other m embors OF the Cabinet 1t is
represented that unless the Foreign Secretary
Is allowed to exercise free hand he will re-
sign before the end OF the week.
Moro reliable information says that Rosebery
T.It. Al,oA
the country will be surprised to learn
how vigorously the rights OF British com
merce and other interests have been
asserted against tho arbitrarys threats OF
France. There Is no denying that English
public opinion Is eeinning to be reused to
state OF righteous indignation at the indigni-
ties which, 1t Is now recognized. France Is de-
liberately heaping upon John Bull. Strong
hints are INDUCED in that the manifest hos
tility Of the French republic will soon result
in changing the Triple Alliance into an In
vincible defensive combination OF four great
powers.
Peculiar significance is ascribed In some
quarters to the Queens command to Lord
Salisbury to visit Osborne when Emperor
william is entertained there next week. 1t is
said to be almost unprecedented for the Queen
to make an ex-Prime Minister q guest whom
entertaining another sovereign. II Lord Sails
bury should discuss tho preliminaries Of an
alliance between England. Germany. Austria,
and Italy. France would sadly repent her
gratuitous insults to Great Britain In the past
few months.
Another question regarding Siam will be put
In the House tomorrow. and 1t is believed the
Government will be ready to make lore def
mite statement Of its policy.
BY tie Unaed Pres
PARIS, July 26-It is said that an effective
blockade OF the Siamese coast by tho French
day next. Until then ali the powers viii not
have Esseivsd nSties Of frances intention to
view to: day with the chief officials at the For
ernment. are selling cheap maps Of Slam
and v which repressnt mt the siamese fi; fronties in
aesSrdsn,Se eco S, with h. English b, IDEAS
Deveile to-day. that Siam had no territory r.;
tasd s So. which paral!sl was claimed e By , The
influence. He regarded it as unlikely that e the
Black Flags would Join, the siamese In the
that i they saw France and Siam embroiiei
the Black Flags miehtresume the offensive in
Tines that Lord buern had an %udenee %
with n. Develle this morning. A Cabinet
~
the greatest secrecy was maintained as to
what took place at the meeting. Another Cab
The 7 deasd o how
Menam. River. The gunboats. entered the
Ing, and Immediately both forts and and
the Siamese Gunbo4ts opened fire on the
the bar notwithstanding the explosion of o
submarne torpedo directly ahead OF the feet
The lnconstante rammed and sunk a Siamese
About Q o'clock the fort at Paknam again
opened fire at a range OF a quarter OF a mile.
ing ten knots an hour against the stream. At
$50 O'clock the French fleet anchored in
eannonade had little effect owing to the dark
ness.
The Sapdar%s Paris correspondent says he
land over the Siamese dispute. "' '
that Capt. Il. II. Jones. British Minister I"t TO
Siam. acting under orders cabled from Lon
aoa fnds p I'M seIiGs IT a
.,BEELIN. July 2e:-The 7age1laa reioices over
fully holds aloof from the Dreibund. may be-
come embroilod with Franco oyer the Siameso
taught a lesson. and She need not expect to
receive German support. Other newspapers
express similar sentiments, although In milder
..BANGKoK. July 2G-M. Pave. the French
Minister Resident. prior to his departure. had
final interview with Devawongse. the Sia-
mese Foreign Minister. who said that his Coy
ernment was astonished that France consid-
cred their reply to the French ultimatum as n
refusal to, comply with it's terms 1t was NJ
POSSIBLE. lie said. to accept definitely an inden-
mite proposal. France had never defined her
rights In AMMAN and Cambodia: but The King.
earnestly, desiring peace and q speedy settle
ment OF the whole case. had declared his ,readi;
ness to abandon to AMMAN and Cambodia all
the posts that mad been attacked as we'll AS
the territory near them. including Stungtreng
and khong. although these places wero ad-
mitted to lie Siamsse.
SAIGON. July 2G.-Capt Viliers. who is in
command Of the French forces Mt Khong. re-
ports that the capture OF Fort Donson by the
French Tra nroduceI IN excellent oppression:
killed during the attack. and his death has
tened the retreat Of the Siamese; The French
flag has been hoisted on the island OF Rong-
ssamlem. which will be made the basis OF
future operations. The French Government
has also decided to takc possession Of other
islands in the Gull OF SIAM.
, Hong koNd. July 2G-Admiral Fremantle
has ordered the ggnboat, ployer, to Join the
CHERBoURG. July 26.-The French cruiser
Ec laireur has been ordered to Brest to be fitted
out with now armament She will proceed