The representative., 1893-07-26
ENGLAND IS NOTIFIED.
The Blockade Of Siamese Ports
Taken Up in the House Of
Commons.
6ritain's Forces at Bangkok
Sufficient to Protect Her
Subjects.

commons Mr.. John Long, Advanced
Liberal, asked if the government was
aware that British subjects mad rights
ever 40 square miles of land on the
6iamese peninsula for the working of
ruby and sapphire mines and asked
what steps had been taken to guard
British interests. Sir Edward Gray,
foreign secretary, replied that the gov
ernment was aware that the land was
controlled by British subjects, but they
were west of the Mekong river and
were not included in the territorial de-
mands made by France. Hon. George
N. Curzon, Conservative, asked whether
France had not notified Great Britain
that she had
Establishing a Blockade
Of the SiaMese coast; whether the es-
tablishment of such blockade would
be regarded as an act of belligerency
between France and Siam; whether the
blockade had been or would be recog-
nized by Great Britain and what meas
ures the government proposed to take
in regard to the matter. Sir Edward
Grey replied that Great Britain had re-
ceived from France verbal notice of the
intention of the French government to
blockade the Siamese coast. The
blockade would certainly be an act of
belligerency. The British government,
Sir Edward added, proposed to cen
tinue it's present protection of the lives
and property of British subjects in
Bangkok. The government thought
that the value that attaches to declar-
alton of blockade must vary with the
circumstances of each particular case.
No Details Given.
Mr.. Curzon then asked, Suppose
any British vessel, even ship carrying
the mail, should ascend the Mekong
river after Thursday, will it risk being
captured or fired upon by the French,
and if so, what steps will the govern
ment take to mitigate such state of
affairs, and, further, when may we ex-
pect notification of the proceedings of
our ambassador in ParisY''
Sir Edward stated that any further
communications he might make to the
house must depend upon the commune
cations now passing between Great
Britain and France. AS to the details
of the blockade he must state that the
government had only just received no
tice Of the fact of the intended block
ade. He added that he must ask that
due notice be given of other questions
the mem hers desired tn ask
Subjects Will Be Protected.
Rt. Hon. Sir Charles Dixie, Advanced
Radical, asked: ''Will there be a dec
laration of war or merely an implied
belligerency? Will not the blockade be
established under the pretense of it's be-
ing what is called pacific blockade?"
Sir Edward replied: Il cannot add
anything to what have said. hope
to be able to give you further informa-
ton Thursday. It would not be advis-
able nor to the public interest to make
any further statement today.
Sir Richard Temple, Conservative,
asked if the government was taking
steps to secure some equality in the
British and French naval forces in ST.
amese naval waters. This question
brought forth cries of, Don't answer"
but Sir Edward replied: Il assured
the house on previous occasion, and
the assurance still holds, that Great
Britain has sufficient force off Bang
kok to protect British subjects and
property"