§ MR. CURZON (Southport)In consequence of the important and serious Hews that has appeared in the papers this morning concerning the advance of a portion of the French Fleet up the River Menam to Bangkok, and of the alleged commencement of hostilities between French and Siam, I wish to ask the Government whether they can give the House any information on the matter? I sent notice of the question to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, but I understand there are circumstances that account for his absence. I, however, venture to think that it would tend to allay public anxiety if the Prime Minister could find it possible to make a statement on the question during the course of the afternoon.
§ SIR G. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I have also given private notice that I intend to put a question on the subject. My question is whether the French men-of-war have entered the Menam River contrary to the expressed wishes of the Siamese Government, and are now anchored off Bangkok threatening hostilities?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI see no reason why the House should not be at once put in possession of the information now in the hands of the Government. The information sent to me from the Foreign Office during the last quarter of an hour is very incomplete, and, of course, I cannot go beyond it. The Foreign Office have heard that French vessels have ascended the Menam River, but are not aware that they are threatening 1572 hostilities. It will consequently be necessary to defer any further statement on the point until Her Majesty's Government have received the explanation which they are at present expecting from the Government of France.
§ MR. CURZONThe Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in answer to a question recently put to him on the matter, stated that the French Government had given an assurance that any movement of their Fleet in the direction of Bangkok would be communicated beforehand to Her Majesty's Government. I wish to know whether any such intimation has been given?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI have heard nothing of any intimation of that kind; but, at the same time, the hon. Member and the House may rely upon it that any pledge given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in France will be scrupulously kept.