The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-15

French GunbOatS Enter the MGlam
River Under Fire.

The Vessels Answer the Bombard-
ment From the Forts and 30 Siam
ese Killed and IL Wounded-France
Claims that the Movement Of Her
vessels Up the River Was the Result
ofa Mistake.
London, July 14,-A dispatch from
Bangkok, the capital of Siam, states that
twenty Siamese were killed and four
teen wounded yesterday during an eX-
change Of fires between the forts at the
mouth of the Menamm river and the
French gunboats COmete and Inconstante,
which forced a passage of the bar in the
face of the orders from the Siamese gov
emmcnt prohibiting their entry into the
river.
WASHINGTON ADvICEs.
Washington, July 14-The only official
news OF the trouble between the French
and Siamese received at the state depart
ment was contained in a brief cablegram
from Acting Consul General Boyd at
BANGKOK, stating that after an hours
engagGment the French vessels had
passed the forts below Bangkok 1t is
not at present the intention Of the de-
partmcnt to specially dispatch an Ameri-
can war vessel to the scene of the war, in
view of the fact that the American in
terests in Siam are insignificant, be-
ing confined to small trade in teakwood.
Nevertheless, it is apprehended that if the
war assumes formidable proportions the
Siamese may make it very unpleasant for
the foreign residents, including the
few Americans there, as the hostilities
are apt to be characterized on one side
by the summary proceedings known to
semi-barbarous nations. If such state
of affairs obtains, however, the United
States viii not be without a vessel in
Siamese waters, as the United Stat es
steamer Concord, now on her way to
China, will be in that neighborhood in
the course of two months.
TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO SIAM.
Bangkok, July 14.-The French minis
ter has informed the Siamese government
that the commanders of the gunboats
the situation when they fired upon the
Pamam forts and ascended the Menam
river. Their instructions contemplated
no such action. The anxiety which pre-
vailed throughout the city yesterday and
last night has been partly allayed by the
arrival Of another gunboat.
A sEMI-oFFICIAL NOTE
Paris July IA semi-oficial note. to
be published tomorrow, explains the
Bangkok incident thus: France, learn
ing that England and other nations We're
sending war vessels to Bangkok notified
the Siamese government on July s of
her intention to increase the French
naval force at the mouth of the Menam
river where only the Gunboat Lutin af-
fOrlod protection to this French residents.
IN accordance with article Is, of the
treaty of 1856, French men of war have
the right to enter the Menam river and
anchor off Paknam, but must give the
Siamese government notice to arrange
for the anchorage in case of an intention
TO ascend the river to Bangkok. As, how
ever, no other than British vessels enter
ed The Menam river, Siam having object
ed to the presence of more than one foreign
vessel, France, while reserving her formal
treaty rights, instructed Rear Admiral
Humdnn not to cross the mouth of the
Menam river and notified the Siamese
government accordingly. The order was
received too late by Admiral Human and
The gunDoats ascended to Bangkok"