The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-26
INDIGNANT CH[NAMEN.
Trying to Foroe the Government
: Into the Siamese Dispute.
THE BRITISH INTERESTS IN SIAM

Sir Edward Gray, Parliamentary Score
tary of tho Foreign omce. Declares Tha
the French Blockade Will be nm Act of
BeiIigerency-M. PavIe Loaves Bangkok
THN-TsrN, July 26-The Chinese gov.
ernment has received the news of Frances
territorial demands upon Siam with
amusement and Indignation. That France
should lay claim 20 country up to the
twenty-third parallel Is regarded us an in
trusion upon the rights Of China, for at
Pekfn the contention is that both banks OF
the Mekong to point well south of the
twenty third parallel are Ci inese posses
sons. The Mandarin party, which is bit
tcrly anti-French, is trying to force the
government to interfere
PARIS, July 2e-A cabinet council was
held yesterday at arly-Le-Roi, where
President Carnot is temporarily sojourn-
ing NJ. Carnot presided over the delib-
srations. which were entirely devoted to
the Siameso question. After the council
rose it was stated that the government
had taken such measures to safeguard the
interests and dignity of France as were
considered from Slams reply to the
French ultimatum to have been rendered
necessary.
ede will not be confined to the estuary OF
the Menam. but that the rivers east and
west also will DO blockaded. Rear Admiral
Human will occupy an island eighteen
miles from the Menam. 1t is reported also
that there is no intention to lombard Bang
kok. although the batteries on both sides
ucf the river at Paknam and on the island in
midstream will be destroyed. The Royal
Palace, where IL, 900 soldiers are believed to
be massed, will be attacked and occupied.
The Debats, after noting that the region
south of the twenty-third parallel, to
which France hopes to extend her territory
in Siam, includes the provinces ceded by
Great Britain to Siam after the Burmese
war, makes these comments: This, we
believe, is what the marquis of Duiierin
was charged to represent to NJ. Develle,
and what China has also directed atten-
tion to. 1t is useless, therefore, to shut
our eyes to the fact that, beyond certain
points, we no longer have to deal with
Siam, but perhaps with England, and GER
talnly with China"
The Chinese charge d'affaires called on
NJ Develle, minister of foreign affairs,
and explained the Chinese government 5
Views OF the Franco-Siamese dispute.
A dispatch from Bangkok states that NJ.
Pavie, French minister resident, started
down the river yesterday afternoon on the
wRrship Inconstante, accompanied by the
warships Lutin and Comete. All was quiet
In the city.
LONDON, July o6-In the house of com
mons Mr.. John Ieng, Advanced Liberal
asked II the government was aware TINT
British subjects possessed rights ovel
forty square miles Of land in the Siamest
provinces of Chantaborn, Krat and Bat
tambang for working ruby and sapphire
mines, and whether, in the event Of Frahc'
annexing these provinces, care would bt
saken to guard British interests.
Sir Edward Grey, parliamentary secre
,tsry Of the foreign office, stated in reply
that the government was aware of thu
mining rights held In Siam by British sub
Sects, but he pointed out that the provinC,
In which these rights are held lie to tn,
west of the Mekong river and were no
therefore included in the territorial de
Z mands mude by France.
Hon. George N CurHon, Conservative
asked whether France had notified Gren
Britain that she had established n block
nde of the Siamese coast; whether tn
establishment OF such a blockade woull
De regarded as an act OF belligerency be
tween France and Siam; whether th
Blockade had been or would be recognize,
By Great Britain and what the govern
ment proposed to do in regard to the mat
ter
Sir Edward Grey replied that Grea
Britain had received from France verbs
notice OF the intention OF the French gov
eEnment to blockade the Siamcse coast
The blockade would certainly be an act d
belligerenGy The British government
Sir Edward added, proposed to contiuu
its present protection OF the lives of Brit
ish subjects in Bangkok and Of the proI
erty of British subjects.
Mr. CnrZon then asked; Suppose an
British vessel, even r ship carrying mails
should ascend the Menam river afte
Thursday, will it risk being captured Q
fired upon by tho French2 If so, wha
steps will the government take to init
gate such state Of nfPairsi And further
when may we expect notification of tn
proceedings Of our ambassador in ParisY
Sir Edward stated that any further con
munication he might make to the hous
must depend upon the communication
now passing between Great Britain an
France As to the details of the hlockaG
hB must state that the government ha
only just received notice of the fact of tt
intended blockade.
Sir Charles Dixie asked: "Will there |
q declaration OF war, or merely an implic
belligerencys Will not the blockade
established under the pretense of its bein
what is called n pacific blocladef
Sir Edward replied: Il can't add an
thing to what have said. Great Britai
y has sufficient force off Bangkok to pr
tect British subjects and property"
A Belligpront Commissioner.
CHICAGO, July 28.-Worlds Fair Cor
missioner St. Clair, of West Virginia, &,
Snto a row with N rntatnan vaaterduv =