New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-27
TIE FRANCO-SIAMESE CONFLICT.
DUE TO THE ATTEMPT OF FRANCE TO RESTORE
CERTAIN DISTRICTS TO AMMAN.

DUE TO THE ATTEMPT or FRANCE TO RESTORE
CERTAIN DISTRICTS TO AMMAN.
The little war which has broken out In IndO-China.
along the Mekong River, is the result OF the attempt
mad> by the French to restore 10 the Kingdom of
AMMAN over which they exercise protectorate some
districts which belong TO AMMAN and which had been
invaded by the SiameSe. Until 1888 the territory ~
AMMAN extended far beyond the western or right
bank OF the Mekong but that territory fell aftcrward
into the possession OF Siam: and the lower Mekons
formed the recognized frontier OF Southern AMMAN
when France established her protectorate. In 1884
S. AZ the time OF the revolt OF SiVotha. brother
OF the Annamese vassal king. Nor0dom. the French
had built q blOckhouse and maintained a military
post at stungTreng, the left bank Of the Mekong
and consequently in Annamese territory. That post
WAS evacuated as useless after the crushing Of 81
Vothas rebellion. and the Siamese crossing the river
occupied Stung Treng without right 10 do II. They
Installed there royal compulsory with escort Of
twenty-five soldiers. and imposed their authority upon
neighboring district including tho island of Khone
which lies IN mid stream, the rapids OF that name
and which IL forcbly 10 be used as naval depot or
navy yard for the French grfnboats and mercantile
sampans navigating the Nelong. II Is trne that the
samcse claim theirs the whole valley Of The great
lnio-China river, and some maps place the limits Of
Siam along the mountain ridge which runs parallel
TO the China sea and forms the eastern boundary Of
that valley. But the Mekong Is practically. IN this
lower part Of its course, the limit between Siam and
AMMAN, and the former country made no protest when
the French occupied stung Trcng, the left bank
several years ago.
This place is a small village Of about l. 900 inlab
itants: and the Siamese quely evacuated ii when It
vas reoccupicd. as well the Khone Island by the
French. on April Z. 1903. 1t is reported that the
garrison the French left there has been attacked, most
Of the soldiers and officers being killed. The Bangkok
Government declares that IL hardly be held rcspon
sible for this attack, which IL says has been made by
the Laotlans savage tribe which the siainesc
Emperor pretends to have control whatever. The
same sovereign has also denied that lie melted by
the English to any warlke operations against the
French and the Annamesc king their protcge and that
he has made. IA view OF such operations large pur
chascs OF arms and ammunition In Germany und Eng
lsnd 1t Is hardly probable that he means war. know
large forces to >tung rrcng. board gunboa,s and
transport sampans. which, starting from saigon the
French capital of Cochin China. 20 up the MckOng
despite the Prca BOtang Rapids. which Nrr" "pucd
impa sable before French gnboats successfully crossed
them France has In those regions OF AMMAN Tonkln
and Cochin China large naval force. under command
OF the captain OF the r0ncad La TriOmplantc and an
army OF about % 900 men. including four regiments
Of native tiraicurs@ commanded by French officers
IL remains 10 he seen whether or not the "FOfts
about h. made by France TO enforce the rights of
her vassal the King OF AMMAN. over the lower part
Of the Mckong Valley will produce any commercial
results Ii appears from the reports made by Francis
GARNER. the enthusiastic but unfortunate explorer OF
the Tonkin that the glowing accounts OF the richness
OF that valley have been much exaggerated and that
its climate Is maariors that the missionaries cstab
nshed there succumb TO II in large numbers.