The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-23
FRANCE VERSUS. / SIAN.
The Russian Government Has Not
Yet Declared Itself.
THE ATTITUDE OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Cannot Recognize Any Obligation to As
Sist Siam, but Will Take n Hand In tho
boundary. Question = Siam Will Not
Yield without n Struggle
PARIS, July 22-The representative in
this city of the United Press has been Mt
pains to discover the truthfulness or un-
truthfulness of the very important state
ment published in The Petit Journal and
The Nation to the effect that Baron Mohr-
enheim, the Russian ambassador 10 France.
had assured the French government that
Russia would support France on every
point in dispute between herself and Siam,
and that Russian warships were on their
way TO the gulf of Siam to uphold France
ana protect French citizens. Baron De-
korfl, an attache of the Russian embassy,
assured the representative that the state
ment was hoax. Baron Mohrcnheim
went to Royal on Tuesday last, the day he
was alleged to have conveyed to NJ. De-
veile, the French foreign minister, infor-
nation as to the intentions of Russia. AS
matter of fact, sufficient time had not
then elapsed for Russia to have conveyed
TO her representative information MS to
whether she intended to take any part in
the dispute or not.
The Temps special correspondent at
Saigon says: "The Siamese chief, Pria-
pitch, commanding at Khong, sent flag
of truce on Tuesday to the French cap
tain. begging him to cease firing, as ac-
cordng to Priapitchas advices, from
Bangkok, Il French admiral had arrived
there to treat for peace. The captain re-
piled that he was without Instructions
but would cease as soon as the Siamese
forts should he abandoned The result
Is unknown in Saigon"
BANGKOK .Iulv Ioy;o I,.o,,.l.
minister resident, handed Frances uti-
matum TO Prince Devawongse Siamcse
minister OF foreign affairs, on Friday of
last week At the same time he informed
the Siamese government that in case
Frances demands should he refused he
would mt once leave Bangkok to board the
gnnboat Forfat. The blockade of the
Siamese coast, he added, would be de-
clared mt once. The opinion is general
here that Siam will offer to pay in full the
indemnity demanded by France. 1t is
doubtful, however, that the French claims
to territory will be allowed. Much de-
ponds op the response of Great Britain to
the efforts Siam is making to gain her
moral or material support
LoNEoN, July 22.-lmportant communi-
cations have passed between the foreign
Office and Captain II. NJ. Jones British
minister resident i'll Bangkok. Vice Adj
mlral tremantle, commander in chief of
the Chinese division of the fleet, is hasten
ing to Singapore, where dispatches from
the admiralty await him. The greater
part of the squadron under his command
accompanied him. Great Britain has in
formed siam that she could not recognize
any obligation to assist her. 1t is evident
therefore, that the Siamesc government
must patch mp as best it can most of it's
differences with France
In the territorial arrangements however
Great Britain will have voice The exact
nature of her demands cannot be ascer-
tanned before France shall specify more
particularly than She has specified in her
ultimatum the boundaries of the territory
to be brought under French control. The
ultimatum is notably indefinite as re CARDS
this point. Evan Siam is still in the dark,
and her efforts to obtain light from VI.
Iavie bid fair to remain vain for several
days. The vital part of the French de.
mand for territory may include the whole
left bank of the Mckong river. This ter
ritory Siam will not surrender without n
struggle. Siam manifests all Willingness
to pay FRANCE the indemnity demanded for
injuries to French citizens and property,
although the indemnity specified by
france IS far in excess of the damages
The Bangkok correspondence of the Daily
Chronicle says: THE concession of the
French demands is probable, although d
section of the Siamese cabinet cSunsels de-
lance. The French gunboats are making
special preparations for the event of re.
fusal. The British minister has warned
British subjects, in view of the critical
situation, that the Siamesc navy will be
unable to afford any protection, and will
undoubtedly be captured in the event of
lighting. The landing of foreign troops is
regarded as probable. The acting COVER
nor OF the district near I.uang Prahang
is acting in the French interests"
The Bangkok correspondent of The
ilmes says concerning the French Ill
tlmatum: Europe, and especially Great
Britain, should know that this TERRITORIAL
demand represents $4,000 square miles
1t includes the province that Burmah
ceded TO siam on the condition that it
shouid never be coded to any other power
anu oO,OoO miles of northeastern Siam into
winch the French have never advanced
The demand for the evacuation of the left
bank of the Mex ong river proves that Gov
ernor General de LanOssan's statements
regarding previous French possession of
the tracts claimed are untrue The in
demnity demanded amply represents
frances previous claims, and should sat-
isfy the most grasping government. In fact
France demands the dismemberment and
ruin of Siam. and if these be denied will
makewar upon and blockade the country"
BERLIN, July 2o-The German govern
ment will send several ships to Siam to
protect the German residents and their in
terests. This step is taken partly in re-
Spouse to the urgent request OF the Hanse
cities, which have commercial relations
with Siamese ports.