Evening star., 1893-07-28
ID EDITION.
BLOCKADE OF SIAM.
To Be Put Into Active Operation
Today.
TEE FRENCH LEGION READY FOR DUTY.
Rumors of Dissensions in tn o
French Cabinet.
GUNBOATs LEAVE THE MENAM

PARIS. July 2S.-It Is semi-officialiy stat
ed that the French blockade of the Siamese
coast will be put in operation today.
Fifteen hundred Of the troops forming
the French legion have been ordered to
hold themselves in readiness to depart for
Siam.
Preparing for Trouble ut Bangkok.
BANGKOK. July 28.-The night passed
quietly. Although the native feeling
against the foreigners in the city is strong
there was no disorder. The anxiety as to
the outcome of the trouble continues.
The French gunboats crossed the bar
outward from the Menam river last night.
They will rendezvous with the other yes
sells Of the Indo-China squadron under
Admiral Human, off the island of Koh
81 Chang, near the head of the Gulf of
Trade is at a standstill. There are no
merchant vessels in the river.
The representatives here of the several
powers and the leading merchants Of the
city and the commanders of the British and
German gunboats met today at the British
legation to discuss what action should be
taken In the event of rtoting on the part of
the Chinese. who form a large percentage
or the city's population.
This question was left open, but 1t was
decided to ask the Siamese government to
station military guards in the business CEN
ters Of the city as measure of precaution
against an outbreak by the Chinese.
nepOrteO DissenS1Ons IN france.
LONDON, July 2S.-It is rumored here
that there are dissensions in the French
cabinet growing out of the troubles with
Siam. 1t is said that some Of the min
listers are dissatisfied because the blockade
was not effected with more promptness.
and that they reproach their colleagues
for recalling the French gunboats from
Report has it that the deliberations of
the cabinet at Marly-Le-Roi. where the
councils have been held because Of the
presence there of President Carnot. have
scenes
The conciliatory attitude Of Lord Rose
berry, British foreign minister, is ascribed
to his knowledge Of the French cabinet
dissensions and to assurances ne has re-
ceived from the French ministers who are
In favor of using moderation in the treat
Sir Edward Grey. parliamentary secre-
tary of the foreign office, in replying to a
question asked by Sir Charles Dixie In the
question as to the effect on the British
trade of the French blockade of Siamese
ports. was being discussed by the foreign
officials and the law officers of the govern
ment.
Sir Edward added that Lord Dufrerin. the
British ambassador to France, had been
telegraphed Yesterday to the foreign office
that NJ. Deveiie. the French foreign min
lister. had informed him that the blockade
would begin on July 81.
Later In the day Chairman Jones, the
BRUSH minister to Siam, had been sent a
that the blockade had commenced on july
70. Capt. Jones' statement was afterya rd
confirmed by the naval officer commanding
at singapore. Three days had apparently
been allowed for neutral vessels to leave
bangkok. The government, Sir Edward
concluded, had telegraphed to Paris for a
prompt explanation of the seeming discrep-
blockade.