MR. CURZON (Lancashire, Southport)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now state to the House the exact geographical effect of the French ultimatum in the form in which it has been accepted by Siam; and whether it includes the cession to France of the Siamese vassal State of Luang Prabang; of any States lying to the north of Luang Prabang on the loft bank of the Mekong; and of any, and if so what, islands in the Gulf of Siam? May I also ask, at the same time, if the hon. Baronet can give us any information as to the blockade, and tell us if there is any foundation for the alarming statement in The Daily News this morning, that the French Admiral has issued a fresh blockade notice and applied it to two British war vessels?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickNo, Sir; we have no further information 1005 to give about the blockade. As far as we know, the statement that the French Admiral has ordered a British vessel to leave Bangkok and go outside the blockade limits is not founded on facts. The territorial demand of France comprises the cession of all territory on the left bank of the Mekong which Siam has power to cede. That territory includes, it is believed, about half the State of Luang Prabang, the other half lying on the right bank. It is not understood to include any islands in the Gulf of Siam. The British and French Governments are, however, agreed in principle as to the maintenance of a neutral zone between their respective possessions. The exact limits of this zone continue to be the subject of negotiations between the two Governments.