The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-25
France and Siam.

King SoMDETCH PHRA PARAMINDR MAHA
KHoULALoNKoRy PHRA KHoULA kHoM
KLAo has been increased OF late by the
desire Of that potentate. expressed through
his legation recently established IN WASH
ipgton, that the United States Government
should help him to settle his territorial
controversy with France.
Had the French Government made ike
request, perhaps it might have been COM
piled with: and since it is not Impossible
that events may yet bring into play the
friendly Offices Of the United States in this
matter, there is a natural interest as to the
point in controversy.
Siam finds herself between two rival Euro
pean powers that have established them
selves in southeastern Asia. The French
protectorate OF AMMAN bounds her on the
east; the French colony OF Cochin China
and protectorate OF Cambodia, on the south"
east and part Of the south. The British
possessions in Burmah border her on the
north; those in Pegu and Tenasserlm. on
the west. Tho position is not pleasant, po-
litically, since, although 1t is possible. by
great tact and astuteness. to Offset England
against France, for the protection OF the
territory thus lying between them. yet
there Is also the chance that these two coun-
tries may some day find 1t more profitable
to sacrifice the intervening kingdom, and
share it with each other.
The present dispute concerns the boun-
Diary on the French side. The maps gen.
orally put the western frontier Of AMMAN
where Siam would have it. along range OF
mountains running parallel with the coast.
. hot running EnnfhaTlv.
Is Slams great waterway. the Mekong.
which. rising beyond her northern boun-
Diary, traverses the entire Kingdom. and,
passing through Cambodia and Lower
Cochin China. enters the sea just east Of
the Gulf OF Siam. The French covet and
claim the Mekong as their boundary from
Cambodia northward. and. should they Sc
cure 1t. would not only substantially con-
troll the river throughout its course. but
would get the large area between 1t and tho
mountains at the east
The territory thus included between the
left bank OF the river and the mountains Is
Laos. and it is the Laotians that appear to
have been mostly concerned in such feeble
armed opposition as has been made to
French advances. Indeed. it was only when
the French lately seized the disputed ter
ritory at Stung-treng and Khong down
near Cambodia that serious trouble arose;
for those very points were evacuated by
France fully nine years ago. Early
in April last. the French troops oc-
cupied Khong without resistance. the
Slamese commander withdrawing at the
order OF the French Resident. But in
May fight broke out there between the
Annamite garrison. with Its French officers.
and the Laotians. who besieged the place.
Meanwhile tie French had pursued their
way along the Mekong and had occupied
Sosang without striking blow. A force
detached to the relief OF Khong raised the
blockade on the 22d OF May without fight
ing, although the Laotians. commanded by
Siamese mandarins, had attacked the place
several times. The next step was to secure
Cannon. In the disputed territory, from
which also the Siamese retired.
1t is obvious. therefore. that the policy OF
Siam thus far Is peaceful to the point
OF non-reslstance. Some local garrisons
have resisted the advance of the French.
but In general the Siamese have withdrawn
before it. Only few days ago the Siamese
Government expressed its regrets for a
conflict that happened at Kingkhien. in
which some soldiers OF the French native
army were killed. and 1t made promises
to punish it's men and to pay dam
ages. This spirit may or may not
attrR {. the consideration OF the French. but
1t does not indicate much resistance to
their demands. Tho French seem to sus-
pect that Siam is relying on Great Britain
for help, but, beyond inquiries In Par
Lament as to what was going on, that
country has not much concerned itself.
AS for Slams endeayor to secure the good
offices OF our country. 1t has come to moth
ing. or attempts to maintain by force
what it considers Its rights. the Govern
ment at Bangkok has shown no sign.
France perhaps concludes that this Is be-
cause Slam knows she Is In the wrong in
having gradually occupied u disputed area
which France had consented to evacuate in
1884 without renouncing her claims to 1t.
Yet Siam does not strike one as an ambl-
tious or aggressive power. King KHou-
LALoNKORS realizes that. without an ally.
lie has not the ability to fight France.
while il England were that ally the price of
her aid might be the loss Of his kingdom
Siam contains perhaps nearly six million
people, one-tlrd Siamese proper. one-third
Laotians. one-sixLh Chinese. and one-sixth
Malays. Bangkok. tho capital. may have
eco. 900. half OF wnom are Chinese. But the
regular armyis only a few thousand strong.
and the men are not in service the whole
year around, although drilled by Euro
pean officers and possessing modern
weapons. There is. OF course. the militia
or general body OF arms-bcarinG people. TO
rely on. and the kingdom is rich. For her
navy. Siam has two steam sloops-of-war OF
1920 tons. aggregating 10 guns. and six
Runboats with % guns. while last summer
the Maha Chakkiri. u steel twin-screw
cruiser OF 1850 tons displacement. II or 10