The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-07-29
ANXIETY IN BANGKOK.
French Blockade OF the siamese
Coast Has Begun.
SIAM ANXIOUS FOR PEACE
Russia VIII Not Assist France in Hel
Grabbing Scheme.
Messengers Travelling Continuously Be.
tween London and Paris and the
French Government Called Upon to
Explain Several Matters.

LONDON, July 2S.-In the commons to-
day the foreign secretary, in reply to a.
question, said the French foreign minis
ter had assured the British ambassador to
France that the blockade of the Siamese
ports would not begin till July 31st. The
British minister at Siam, however, had
telegraphed that it actually began on July
26th, and this had been confirmed. The
French government had been telegraphed
for an explanation of the discrepancy.
a Paris telegram says it is semi official
iy stated that the French blockade of the
| Siamese coast Will begin today. Fifteen
hundred troops have been ordered in
readiness to proceed to Siam.
Advices from Bangkok state that the
night passed quietly. The anxiety con-
| tinueS. The French gunbOats passed cut
OF the Menam river last night, and will
rendezvous with the other vessels off the
island Koh Chang Trade is at a stand
still. There are no vessels in the river.
Representatives in Bangkok Of several
powers, leading merchants of the city
and the commanders of the British and
German gunboats met today in the
British legation to discuss what action
should be taken in the event Of rioting on
the part of the Chinese, who form large
percentage Of the city's population. The
question was left open, but it was de-
cided to ask Siam to station military
guards in the business centers as meas
ure of precaution.
! The News Association says: There is
serious anxiety in political and govern
ment circles anent Siamese affairs. Glad
stone has cancelled his intended visit TO
Hatchlands place; Lord Roseberry is
closely engaged in the foreign Office
morning and night. This evening he was
in consultation with the secretary of the
Chinese legation in London. Official
kilograms are exchanged constantly and
| special messengers are travelling unin-
terruptedly between Paris and London.
General Roberts, recently conmander-in-
chief of the army in India, is returning
hurriedly to London from Glasgow,
whence he had intended to make tour
OF the highlands.
Paris advices tonight say that Admiral
Human has yet made no report to the
government as to the blockade. The
press and public are beginning to realize
that it is useless to expect Russia to assist
France in grabbing Siam.
A dispatch from Pekin says the vice
roys of Kwangsi and Yunnan have re-
ceived instruction from the Chinese court
for guidance in the event OF conflict be-
tween Siam and France.
The Siamese government continues to
make every effort to maintain peace with
France and is encouraged by the event OF
the last tweuty-fOur hours to believe an
understanding will be reached shortly.
The French flag has been hoisted at Kob
Chang.
A Bangkok correspondent OF the Times
says: 'tPrompt enforcement Of the block
ade has seemingly convinced the Siamese
that the assumed friendly attempts at in
tervention by Great Britain in part has
not availed. Siam, therefore, will prob
ably concede Immediately the last differ
ences remaining between her and
France
All special correspondents of the Lon
don dailies are agreed tonight that the
Siam outlook is more peaceful. Paris
correspondents predict a speedy settle
ment of the disnute.