The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-20
FRANCES ULTIMATUM.
SHE GIVES SIAN FORTY EIGHT
HOURS TO ACCEPT HER TERMS.
If They Are Rejected the French Fleet
VIII Blockade the Meinam River.
The Indemnity Claimed.

PARIS. July 19.-The semi-offlcial an
nouncement was made this afternoon that
France has sent an ultimatum TO Siam,
giving forty-eight hours for acceptance
or rejection Of her demands. The ultima
tum was sent directly after the close OF
the session in the Chamber OF Deputies
yesterday TO Pavie. French resident at
Bangkok.
The total indemnity claimed by France
Is 100000 francs. exclusive OF the claims
Of private persons. The ultimatum de-
clares that IL Siam does not agree TO
the demands I'm the time specified the
French fleet will blockade the Meinam
river. II the terms offered by France are
accepted the French will require as a
pledge OF good faith permission to occupy
one OF the forts or a safe anchorage at
the entrance 10 the Meinam river.
II the principle Of the ultimatum Is
accepted consideration Of the details may
be deferred until the arrival at Bangkok
OF NJ. Lemyre De Nlllieres. who is now
on the way to Siam as French plenipo-
tentiary.
PARIS. July 19.-The Figaro says ttat
the French ultimatum sent 10 Siam de-
mands that the Siamese evacuate the left
bank OF the Mekong river. II also de-
mands that guarantees be given by the
Slamese Government for the faithful per-
formance Of its treaty obligations. and
that indemnity be paid for the outrages
perpetrated by the Slamese upon the
French.
The French are already In possession Of
the lower Mekong river and II Siam con-
cedes the demands now made upon her
the river Will be made almost entirely
French. II was but short time ago
that the river was acknowledged 10 be a
considerable distance 10 the westward
OF the French sphere Of influence I'm An
nam. a mountain range lies long dis
tance 20 the eastward Of the Mekong
river. and the French claimed no jurisdic-
tion 10 the westward Of this range. Re
Gently France claimed the entire water
shed 10 the westward Of the mountains
TO the river, and now she demands that
the Siamese evacuate the western bank.
which. II they do will place both banks
Of the river for the greater part Of its
length I'm possession Of the French. This
would give France jurisdiction over GER
tain parts Of the Laos States that are
now tributary 20 Siam.
In its more northerly course the river
separates the Shan States under British
control. from the Laos States. If France
gets possession Of the territory she evil
IDENTIFY desires her newly-acquired possess |
slons will border on what Is practically |
British territory.
The reply OF Foreign Minister Devile |
TO the Interpolation Of VI. Dreyfus in |
the Chamber Of Deputies yesterday in |
explaining the position OF France IN the |
dispute with Siam IS considered n master |
stroke OF policy II not only secured a |
unanimous vote Of confidence IN the Gov
ernment. but has evoked unanimous
praise from the press.
The statement published IN the S0ir
relative 10 the sending OF an
10 the Siamese Government IS
by a semi-offcial announce |
ment made this afternoon.
The utimatum has been sent, but in |
stead Of only twenty-four hours being al |
lowed for an answer. as stated by the |
Soir. Siam will be given forty-eght hours |
In which TO accept or reject the demands
made upon her by France
NJ. Deville sent the ultimatum directly |
after the close Of the session OF the
Chamber Of Deputies yesterday II was
TO NJ Pavle, the French rest
dent At Bangkok.