HC Deb 31 August 1893 vol 16 cc1581-3
MR. CURZON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is true that the French are fortifying Chantaboon, in Siam; that they have demanded exclusive concessions for public works in Battambong and Angkor, or in any of the Siamese provinces, as well as the expulsion of all or certain European officers from the service of the King of Siam; whether these fresh demands are consistent with the pledges given by the French Government to respect the independence of Siam; and whether Her Majesty's Government still adhere to Lord Rosebery's statement on 17th duly, that the independence and integrity of Siam is a sub- ject of grave importance to the British, and more especially to the British Indian Empire, and that Her Majesty's Government are fully alive to their responsibilities in the matter; and, if so, what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government in discharge of those responsibilities?

*SIR E. GREY

We have no official confirmation as to the expulsion of any European officers. Her Majesty's Government do adhere to the statement made on the 17th of July, and Lord Dufferin returns to Paris this week to resume the negotiations on the lines previously agreed upon with the French Government and stated in this House as necessary to safeguard British interests.

MR. CITRZON

The hon. Baronet having replied to a previous question that he has no information as to Chantaboon, because we have no Agent there, I now desire to ask him, since Chantaboon is connected by wire with Bangkok, whether he will telegraph for information to the British Minister at Bangkok; also, whether the House is to understand from his reply that the French Plenipotentiary is believed by the Government not to have exceeded the terms of the last, ultimatum accepted by Siam, and that no such excess is to be anticipated; and, lastly, am I to gather that Her Majesty's Government will not regard with equanimity any further encroachments upon the independence of Siam, which has been declared by them to be a matter of grave importance to the British Empire?

*SIR E. GREY

I think the best mode of answering this question is to recall to the hon. Member and to the House the statement previously made with regard to British interests. It is to the effect that Great Britain is interested in having a neutral zone between the two countries; that British trade has to be protected; and that the Government keep in view the fact that Great Britain has interests in the maintenance of the independence of Siam. When Lord Dufferin returns to Paris these matters will be present in his mind. So far it has only been necessary to negotiate as to a neutral zone in a certain part. The assurances given by the French Government with regard to the independence of Siam still holds good. It is not, therefore, necessary that any negotiations should take place with regard to that point. As to the desires for further information in connection with the demands made by the French Government, it would, I think, be convenient to await the return of Lord Dufferin to Paris, in order to obtain that information from the most authoritative source.

MR. CURZON

Will the hon. Baronet inquire as to what is going on at Chantaboon?

*SIR E. GREY

I do not attach the same importance to this rumour as the hon. Member, as the information in possession of the Government goes to show that there are in Chantaboon 450 French and over 4,000 Siamese troops. Under these circumstances, it is quite possible that some earthworks may have been constructed by the French as a temporary precaution. I think it undesirable to attribute undue importance to the matter by making special inquiry by telegraph.

SIR R. TEMPLE

Will the hon. Baronet inquire whether British enterprise is to have an equality with French enterprise in all parts of the independent Provinces of Siam?

SIR E. GREY

That would be a subject for negotiation with Siam as an independent State.