The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-19
THE SIAMESE WEAKEN.
Our Consul Telegraphs to That
Effect from Bangkok.
INCIPIENT BATTLES REPORTED.


Out with Slight Losses. While tho Siam
csc Lost Henvily-France Has Made No
Disavowal of Her Naval Officers Action.
SAIGON, July 1S.-The troubles between
the French and Siamese on the Mekong
river continue. a body of French marines
nave captured the forts at Donthane and
Tapham, on the upper Mekong. The
French loss in the assaults was six killed
or wounded. The Siamese lost heavily i'm
both engagements.
BANGKOK, July lS.-The government of
Siam has consented to withdraw the troops
In the Mekong valley provided that France
agrees to also suspend hostilities.
PARIS, July 1S.-A dispatch received
here confirms the unofficial reports from
Saigon as to the French successes on the
Upper Mekong river.
Nj. De Lancess, governor general of
French lndo-China, telegraphs to the for
eign Office that a detachment of Siamese
troops attacked Il accommodating force of
Annamte militia ON July at Anak. The
Slamese were repulsed with great loss.
One of the Annamites was killed The
people everywhere in the Laos district.
which lies to the northwest proper, are,
according to the dispatch, siding with the
French
The SOliel says that Bangkok will be
bombarded by the French gunboats only
as a last extremity should all other means
OF arriving at an understanding with Siam
fall.
A semi-oflicial note is published deny-
Ing the assertion that France had disa-
vowed to the Siamese government the
action of Admiral Human in causing
gtinboats To ascend the Menam river, and
that the commanders of the gunboats
Comete and lnconstante had exceeded
their instructions in firing upon the forts
at Paknam.
"A council of ministers has been held to
decide on the replies to be made TO the in
terpellationS of Deputies Camille Dreyfus
and Francois Deiunclc. The ministers re-
solved to disavow in the chamber any in
tcntion to interfere with Siamesc indie
pendcuce. At the SAM, time they decided
that they should in,i5t that the treaties
between France and. Siam he respected.
and that no intervention OH the part of a
third power should be tolerated in case
II should become necessary TO lombard
bangkok warming should he given to for
eiSn powers, so rs to enable them TO pro-
tect their subjects in that city In case
Sinm should decline TO give complete re-
dress for her offenscs against French
treaty rights the Mekong river should be
blockaded
LONDON, July ia dispatch from Sal
gon, via Paris says that the French mer-
chant vessel Jean Say, which recently ar
rived mt the mouth of the Menam river
was seized by the Siamese and sunk. pre.
sumably for the purpose of blocking the
channel in futile attempt to prevent the
French gunboats from ascending the
Bangkok. The crew of the Jean Say were
Ill treated by their captors, who conveyed
them to Bangkok, where they were thrown
into prison.
The Earl of Rosebery, secretary of state
for foreign affairs, replying to a question
asked by Lord Harrington in the house of
lords. said that the government was not in
full possession of the facts regarding the
dispute between France and Siam, but
that Great Britain was fully alive to the
responsibility attaching TO her, and would
not lose any opportunities of obtaining a
satisfactory solution of the matters mt is
sue In the house of commons Sir Edward
Grey, parliamentary secretary of the for
eign office, made extended reference TO the
announced intention to move the adjourn
ment of the house in order to discuss the
situation in SIAM. Sir Edward appealed
TO the house not To discuss the matter I'M
I'LL further information should have been
received. lie promised that everything
possible would be done by Great Britain to
arrive at n pacific solution of the questions
involved 1T WAS imperative, he added, TO
keep distinct from the main issues certain
allied questions, especially the question of
Siamese independence.
The bangkok correspondent of The
Times says that many Englishmen, with
their families, are leaving the country.
They are taking with them all their porta-
BILE property. The correspondent adds:
The captain of the French gunboat, see
ing the Siamese flag floating above the
French on the captured steamer Jean Say,
himself hauled down both flags, thus
creating another incident. The Siamese
afterwards hoisted their own flag"
WASHINGTON, July 1S.-Mr. Boyd, United
States consul at Bangkok, telegraphs that
an amicable settlement of the controversy
between Siam and France is probable, and
that Siam will make concessions.