The sun., 1893-07-15
THE FRANCOIS -SIAMESE ROW.
80 ,pyIsTICE CONCLUDED AND ALL
QUIET AT BANGKOK.

,, s,pme.o Were Killed and Fourteen
voupd-d In the Fight ON Wednesday
r..,c, May Explain tho Incident as Re-
.,,,,,e-The Ensiish Uneasy About II.
p,vnroK. July 1.-THE French Minister has
,.,orr,ed tho siam sse Government that the
Commanders OF the gunboats Comete and
,Oaors,ante misunderstood the situation when
.hsr fred upon the Paknam forts and ascended
the Menam River
Thcir Instructions contem plated no such
action The anxiety which prevailed through
N, the city yesterday and last night has been
party allayed by tho arrival OF another British
Runboat.
The announcement was madc this afternoon
th,t an nrmistice had been concluded and
that the incident might possibly bo explained
nv France as regrettablc.
PARIS July 14.-A semi.cn1cial note to be
rublshei tomorrow. explains the bangkok
Incident thus;
France. learning that England and other
nations we're sending war vessels to Bangkok
notified tho Siamesc Government on July Of
her intention to increase the French naval
force at the mouth OF the Menam River.
vhere only the gunbont Lutin Afford
ed protection to the French residents.
In accordance with article Is Of the Treaty Of
1856. French men-of-war havo tho right to
enter the Menam River and anchor or PAX
nam, but must give the Siamese Government
notice to arrange for the anchorage In
ease OF the intention to ascend tho
river to Bangkok. As. however no
other than British vessels entered tho Menam
River. Siam having objected to tho presence
OF moro than one foreign vessel. France.
whIlo rcservine her formal treaty rights. In
H.. a.,
the lar OF the Mcnam River. ana notified the
Siamese Government accordingly. The order
was received too late by Human. and tho
gunboats assembled to Bangkok"
LONDON. July lo.-The bangkok correspond
ent OF the Times says: Last night paseed
quietly the Inconstante and Comete dropping
down stream to better anchorage. where
they remained to-day cleared for action.
Neither the forts nor tho gunhoats
we're damaged in the skirmish yester-
day but ono Siamese gunboat ran down the
French pilot boat. and, 1t Is said; sank it. NJ:
pave French Minister resident has informed
ers OF the Inconstnnto and the Comate rc-
fused to, accept. his order not 70 enter, the
ysT s snt sates thas he III, is noS awIltnE sxsE
slamese war wsrnoSs ships are ready for s. ac.
sIund Sn ina the paacs The city Is tan
auiL but intensely nervous. Other French
and English gunboats are cxpoctad British
subjects are awaiting anxiously news OF tho
steps which England is taking to prevent the
sfat eSa q fIom o1 the
capital OF slam. states that twenty siamese
were killed and fourteen wounded yesterday
during the exchange Of fre between the forts
French guntoats Comete and Inconstante.
which forced the passage OF the bar in the face
ctit n m ha
In the House OF Commons to-day Mt, Glad
itone stated. Ia response to auestions. that the
"A thH Mcinnm River BY French fleet. but 1t
French and siamsse. The Prime Minister ad-
matter given 20 Great Britain by tho French
Goysrnment being kept. Mr.. Gladstone's
s.tWement was greeted with cries OF "Hear!'
Sir William Harcourt read in tho House OF
Commons this evening tho reports q the
Ninister 10 siam and tho com mander OF the
British gunbont in tho waters near the Snmose
cnlItal. In commenting on the dispatches he
:, The Government are DISPOSED to believe
tho French naval officers acted without the
poveIie French ri Mister Of Foreisn AIalrs.
has rerentedly promised to give England pre-
sSus Sos notice notice i any fresh action should he de-
Irports and Frances explanations before We
iorn definite 2rinion."
tt the trouble between the Frcnch and the Sia-
inese received at the state Department was
contained In n brief cablegrnm from acting
Cchsui-Gnneral Boyd Mt Bangkok. saying that.
alter an hours engagement, the French ves-
sels had passed tho forts below Bangkok. 1t
u not tho intention OF the department to de-
siatch an American war vessel to the scene Of
War American interests In Siam are insigni1-
can't; S; being confined to small trade in teak:
wood. Nevertheless 1t is npprehended that II
thr war assumes formidable proportions the
nlan .aai may make i unpleasant. for foreign
Issidents, including the few Americans there,
e.ates Will not be Wit hout vessel in Siamese
Hhtera, As the Runboat Concord, now on her
way 70 IChina. will be IN that neiGhborhood in
about two months.
Ihe gunboats Comete and Inconstante are
q the lowest class OF French war vessels. Tho
Srams SS1metG ,o Is l5l feet inches in length and
fieniiiimetre and two lO-centimetre breech-
ttoahing rifles. The !nconstante Is 100 feet
mcnts 10 length. and Ia built OF wood She
eArr'es lour 3-ton breech- loading rifles.
says Some Country Should Annex Samoa.
BERLIN. Jaly 14.-The Vossische Zeitung says
tnat the only practicable way out OF the
samoan COMPLICATIONS is to be found In annex
a''oh by one OF the great powers. and the re-
noval OF the native king and dignltaries Eng
iand Is suggested as tho annexing power.
Is reported this evening that the sGnatory
prs powers have directed their m en- Of war to CO.
'TTnIate IRA 10 restore order In Samoa
;;o'Pnorrow that the situation Is not favorable
m ei, uermany. Several weeks are likely TO
en e,upse. says this journal. before the English
snd snd american war vessels will arrive at Apia.
e,ny ousy II meant lme she should attempt to re-
LIore ORDER with her vessels, unsuDDorted by