The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-15
The Bangkok Incident a
Blunder.
PEACE RESTS ON THE MENAM
The French Captains Misunderstood
Their Orders-The Gunboats
Still in the River.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

BANGKOK, July 14.-The French Min
lister has informed the Siamese Govern
ment that the commanders Of the gunboatS
Comet and Inconstante misunderstood the
situation when they fired upon the Paka-
nam forts and ascended the Menam River
Their instructions contemplated no such
action. The anxiety which prevailed
throughout the city yesterday, and last
night particularly, has been allayed by the
arrival Of another British gunboai. The
announcement was made this aftern oon
that an armistice had been concluded and
that the incident might possibly be ex-
planned by France as regrettable.
LONDON, July 1.-THE Bangkok CORE
spondent of the Times cables the follow
ing: Last night passed quietly. The
Inconstante and Comete dropped down
the stream to a better anchorage. where
they remained to-day cleared for action.
Neither the forts nor the gunboats were
damaged in the skirmishes yesterday.
IN. Pavie. the resident French Minister,
has informed the Siamese Government that
the commanders of the Inconstante and
Comete refused to accept his order not to
enter the river He states that he is
awaiting instructions from Paris as TO the
developments of this extraordinary posi-
tion. The Samese warship is ready for
action and 1000 troops are under arms
around the palace. The city is tranquil
but intensely anxious. Other French and
English gunboats are expected. British
subjects are awaiting anxously news of
the steps which England is taking to pre-
vent the great calamity Of BON bardment
of the CITY,"
In the Commons this evening, HarcOurt,
speaking of the Siam affair, said the Gov
er3ment was disposed to believe that the
French naval officers had acted without
the authority # the French Government.
PARIS. July IA semi-offical note, to
be published tomorrow. explains the
Bangkok incident thus: France. learning
that England and other nations were send
ing war vessels TO Bangkok. notified the
Siamese Government on July of its in
tention to increase the French naval force
at the mouth of the Menam River, where
only the gunboat Lutn afforded protection
70 French residents. In accordance with
article 10 OF the treaty of 1856. French
men-of-war have the right to enter the
Menam River and anchor off Paaknam.
bit give thE, Sianese Government
hotce to arrange for anchorage in case of
an intention to ascend the river to Bang
k0k. As, however, no other than British
vessels have entered the Menam River,
Siam having objected to the presence of
more than one foreign vessel. France, while
reservng her formal treaty rights, in
structed Rear-Admiral Human not to
cross the bar OF the Menam River, and
modified the Siamese Government accord
inglY. The order was received too late by
Human, and the gunboats assembled to
Bangkok.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE only off,
cial news of the trouble between the
French and Siamese received at the State
Department was contained in brief
cablegram from acting Consul General
Boyd at Bangkok. stating that after an
hours engagement the French vessels had
passed the forts below Bangkok. 1t is not
at present the intention of the department
TO dispatch an American war vessel to the
scene of war. in view of the fact that
American interests in Siam are insignifi-
cant. Nevertheless, 1t is apprehended that
if the war assumes formidable proportions
the Siamese may make it very unpleasant
for foreign residents, including the few
Americans there. If such state of affairs
obtains, however, the United States will
not be without vessel in Siamese waters.
as the United Stat tes steamer Concord,
now on the way to China. will be in the
neighborhood of Siam in the course of two
months
There are about twenty missionaries in
Siam, mostly Presbyterians, and their
friends in this country have become con-
cerned as TO their welfare. now that
actual hostilities have broken out between
the French and the Siamese. Rev. DIR.
Gillespie Of New York, representing the
Presbyterian Mission Board. to-day tele-
graphed Secretary Gresham to inquire
what provision would be made for the
safety Of the missionaries and the numer-
Gus children in their charge. Secretary
Gresham replied: 81 am informed by the
Secretary of the Navy that there is not at
present on the Asiatic station any vessel
capable OF entering Siamess waters. The
missionaries should communicate with the
legation at Bangkok for the usual diplo-
matte nrntaetionJ