The morning call., 1893-07-21
AID FOR FRANCE.
Russia Joins in the Siam
Embroglio.
BANGKOK is FRIGHTENED.
The King and Court Preparing to
Quit the Capital China May
Yet Take a Hand.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

PARIS. July 20.-A statement is pub
lished that the Russian Ambassador 10
France has given assurance to that coul-
try that Russia will support France Oh all
points involved in the Siamese dlfncuity'
Itis further said that the Russian neet IN
Chinese waters is under orders 10 proceed
to the Gulf of Siam fox the purpose OF sup
porting the French and protecting frepch
residents in Siam. 1t is expected to arrive
there soon.
A dispatch from Bangkok states that the
Samese court is greatly agitated. Prep
arations are apparently under way for the
departure of the King and court from the
capitai. Reports of the intention of the
King TO leave Bangkok spread among the
populace and caused much excitement.
The dispatch adds that IL is stated that
popular agitation in favor of France has
broken out in the province of Battam bang
and troops have been sent to put down the
sedition.
The Senate to-day passed unanimously a
resolution approving in every respect the
attitude Of The Government in the Siamese
affair.
Slams reply to frances ultimatum is
expected before Saturday night or Sunday.
1t is thought that in case the reply Is un-
favorable Admiral Human will wait the
arrival of the special commissioner sent
out by the French Government before
taking final action.
LONDON. July 20.-A special Cabinet
meeting was summoned in Downing
street this afternoon. There was a full
attendance. Frances demand on Siam
was discussed at length. and eventually
Instructions for the Marquis of Duferin,
the British ambassador to France, were
formulated and approved.
immediately after the meeting the Earl
of Rosebery. Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, communicated with the Ad-
mlralty in regard to the disposition of the
fleet in Asiatic waters, and late in the
afternoon special orders where dispatched
by the Admiralty to Vice-Admral Ere
mantle. commander in chief OF the
Chinese division. These facts, together
with the sudden canceling of the Marquis
OF Dufferin's leave of absence. are re-
garded as hardly in harmony with tie
official predictions of a perfectly amicable
settlement with France of the S.amese
difficulty.
Efan if not alarm{d by the course
of Nance the Government is believed to
realize that the Slamese affair is fraught
with most serious possibilities, for which
Immediate preparation must be made By
Great Britain.
Frances decision to blockade the whole
coast OF Siam in the event of var is badly
received in England. The blockade would
DO entirely at England's expense Not a
single French steamer trades at Bangkok.
The British and Chinese merchants at
Singapore and Kong Kong will be the suf-
ferers. Admiral Human. id the event of
blockade, can dispose of five war vessels,
the Triomphante, Pluvier. Lion, Aspic
Vipere and the ironclad Forfait, besides
three vessels off Bangkok; but a few
months cruising in the typhoon season
viii probably cool French ardor.
TIENTsIN. July 20.-Information from
Peking is to the effect that China will sup
port Siam against France Siam for many
years has paid tribute to China as a mat
ter of custom only. Chinese interference
adds most interesting feature to the dis
pute and may result IN modification of
French demands.
BANGKOK, July 20.-The belligerent at
tltuuo VI lue tnIec rIenCn sunDOatS Opp0-
site the middle Of the city is causing great
anxiety among the people. The French
men are all ready for action and are con-
tinually beating to quarters and training
their guns on the Siamese gunboats that
happen to pass. Siam is doing her best to
convince the French Minister that her in
tentons are amicable. but freedom Of
action in the negotiations is much re-
stricted by the PRESSURE exercised ostenta-
tiously by the French war vessels.