, 1893-07-29

reply to the rejection hV France OF Slams de-
cislon regarding the ultimatum, expresses sur
prise at the action Of France and requests
more concise and tx tct statements from that
Government with respect to their demands.
A despatch from the Paris correspondent
Of the Standard asserts that it is the intention
Of France to blockade all the Siamese rivers
entering the Gulf Of Siam.
In the House of Commons yesterday the
Under Secretary Of State for Foreign Affairs
replyingto questions from Sir Richard Temple,
the Hon. Geo. Curzon and Sir Charles Dixie,
stated that, although war had not been declar-
ed. England regarded the blockade as a
beIligerent act, also that the British forces in
the East were ample to protect British inter
ests he, however, declined to state what the
consequences would be presuming that the
French captured or fired upon any British
mail steamer. He further stated that the
notice of the blockade from the Fret Oh
Government was so far merely verbal.
It is currently believed that in consequence
Of representations from the British and
Chinese ministers to the French Government
at Paris the formal notice Of the blockade has
been ayeIted.
The Paris journal lies D6bats, in an article,
asserts that the demand of France includes
territory ceded to Siam by England after the
Burmese war, hence it was useless to deny that
Z rance must ICChOn Certainty VIII OuIild anu
possibly with England. The article further
condemns the danger and difficulty of an
off shore blockade instead of Selling the de-
fences of Bangkok.
Other Partisan journals are more extreme
in their utterances, demanding the adoption
ofmeasures perfectly adapted to precipitate q
conflict with England.
kilograms from Milwaukee announce the
failure of MitchelPs Bank in that city, an
establishment hitherto synonymous for
wealth and integrity. The liabilities are
estimated to be nine million dollars. The fail
ure, it is stated, is in consequence of the Erie
railway having passed into the hands Of q
receiver.
New York. July 27th-Yesterday in the
House Of Commons, during the continuation
of the discussion in Committee on the Home
Rule Bill, Mr.. Chamberlain moved that the
imperial control Of taxation in Ireland be-
made a permanent one instead of six years as
proposed.
Mr.. Gladstone during the debate strongly
resented the imputation that the Liberals
had truckled to the NationalIsts, and during
his speech he compared Mr.. Chamberlain
to the proverbial Devils Advocate,
who always misconstrued best intentions.
On the conclusion of his speech there were
cheers and counter cheers. The Irish were
O6il9ubtu a. Va u 0AoNSUN'C AOAN "H~
amidst the cheering, shouted Devils advo-
olte.'
The amendment on being put 20 the vote
was defeated by double the usual majority.
The blockade of Bangkok has been delay
ed unul the expiration of the notices issued.
which expire OF Sunday next.
The Chinese Minister at Pa is has. informed
NJ. Deville thai Siam is not in possession of
any territory near to the 23rd parallel, the
extreme point that the French Government
demand the cession of territory from the
Siamese. He also informed Nj. Deyills that &C
cording to dispatches received it was thought
by his Government that the black flags will
not reinforce the Siamese but will assume
the offensive in TOnquin.
1t is officially announced that Queen Victoria
has commanded the Marquis OF Salisbury to
visit Osborne to nett the Emperor of Ger
many.
There are current rumours IN London that
the Cabinet have disagreed regarding the
vigorous policy proposed and favonred by
Lord Rosebery with respect to the Sla:ness
question. 1t is intimated that should the
French persist IN their action it will incline
England towards joining the triple alliance.
British merchants yesterday memorlalized
the Foreign Office. stating that the blockade
of Bangkok will stimulate thu French trade
tn +ha East and diminish that of Great