Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-07-20

LONDON, July 14-"The Times" cor
respondent in Bangkok telegraphs: "De-
optic the most pacific assurances from the
Irench minister, who undertook to stop the
l1vancs of the cunboats and TO arrange
.qutably ell differences, the Comete and
tho Inconstnnte slipped across the bar at
the mouth of the Meniam river Thursday
evening and exchanged shots with the PAX
nam forts.
The two mon Of war then proceeded 10
Bangkok aud now are anchored with the
Eunboat Latin opposite the British legation.
One sailor was killed and two were wounded
In the exchange of shots at Psknam. The
king is now holding n council. If it comes
10 fighting, fearful scenes will probably bo
witnessed.
20 Sinmeso Killed, IA Wounded.
LONDON, July IA despatch from
Bangkok says that 20 Sismese were killed
and ii wounded yesterday during an ex-
Change OF shots between the forts at the
mouth of the Meuiam river and tho French
guuboats
America Not Commercially Interested.
WASHINGTON, July IA. The only official
news of trouble between the French and
Eiamese received at the state department
was contained in q brief cablesram from
acting Consul General Boyd at Bangkok,
lteting that after an hours engagement the
French vessels had passed the forts below
Bangkok. IL ia not the present intention OF
the department to specially despatch an
American war vessel to the of the
war, in view of the fact that American in
terests in Siam are Insignificant being con-
Hued to a small trade in teak wood.
History of the Franco-stameso Trouble.
The Franco Siamese con 6ict seems to have
reached crisis. France, having been in
trusted with the protectorete of AMMAN,
was bound to expel the Siamese soldiers es-
tablished in districts belonging to AMMAN,
md lying on the left or eastern bank of the
Me Kong. This great lndo- China river was
considered practically, at least in Fits lower
course, as the frontier between Amman and
siam.
The Siamese forces evacuated at first
without fighting, the towns OF Strang Teng
and Knope but soon returned there and
killed the Franco Annamites and Canbo-
dians left to garrison the advanced posts.
Another expedition was necessary on the
part Of the French to expel the obstinate
Siamese invaders, and the question seemed
10 be settled.
But Siamese mandarin, who was be.
the frontier, taking advantage OF the sud-
den illness OF ii. Grosgurin, commandant of
the escorting Franco Annameso troop, killed
tie commandment, while his men massacred
~ of NJ. Grosgurin's soldiers. The French
governor general of Cochin China NJ de
Lanessan, declared the Siamese court re-
sponsible for that outrage, and French
naval vessels were ordered to proceed to
Bankok, III order to support the claims of
France for reparation.
:: The gunboat Lutin soon appeared at the
Entrance of the Meinam river, 10 miles up
which stream Is bangkok. Rear-Adutiral
Human, then in the China sea. was order
ed to concentrate his squadron eff the
mouth OF the Meiuam. He commands the
cruiser Trlomphaute the Inconstante and
sle gunhoat Comete, the three carrying a
total of SO guns, md having force of 80
officers and 552 men. The French have oc-
cupied the SAINT island, which commands
the whole gulf of Siam. 1t is likely that
King Phra- Maha- khoula- Lonk orn, at Bang
kok, unless he should feel sure of some
British or Chinese support will not delay
to apologize for the wanton and treacherous
murder OF the French commandant, NJ.
Grosgurin, and his soldiers.
Report of an Armistics.
BANGKOK, July 4.-Later-The French
minister has informed the Siamese govern
meut that the commanders Of the gun boats
Comete and lnconstante misundersto God the
situation when they fired upon the Paknem
forts and assembled the Meniam river Their
Instructions contemplated no such action.
Jha anxiety here has been partly delayed
by the arrival of another British gunboat.
The announcement was made this afternoon
that an armstica has been concluded aud
that the incident might possibly be explain
ed by France as regretable.