HC Deb 21 July 1893 vol 15 cc207-8
SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT () Sheffield, Ecclesall

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state to the House the terms of the French ultimatum to Siam; and whether a very limited period has been given by France to the Siamese Government in which to reply to the ultimatum; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will obtain an extension of this period in order that their views may be communicated to the French Government?

MR. CURZON () Lancashire, Southport

At the same time will ask the hon. Baronet whether he can now state the exact terms of the French ultimatum to Siam; whether it includes the cession of the territory on the left bank of the Mekong River to France; in what sense, and with what geographical limitations, this demand is made by the French; whether it is consistent with the repeated assurances of the French Government that they have no designs upon the integrity of Siam; whether it will injurious affect British interests and trade in Upper Burmah; whether, in the event of the Siamese Government declining to accede to the ultimatum, the French intend to enforce a blockade of the Menam; and what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to avert so serious and wanton a calamity?

SIR E. GREY

The following are the terms of the ultimatum as given us by telegram from Bangkok; they corre- spond with those courteously communicated to us by the French Government, but give more detail:—

  1. "1. Recognition of the rights of Annam and Cambodia to left bank of River Mekong and the Islands.
  2. "2. Evacuation of the posts there held by the Siamese within one month's time.
  3. "3. Satisfaction for the various aggressions against French subjects in Siam, and French ships and sailors in Menam.
  4. "4. Punishment of the culprits and pecuniary indemnities to the families of victims.
  5. "5. Indemnities of 2,000,000 francs for various damages inflicted on French subjects.
  6. "6. Immediate deposit of 3,000,000 francs, in dollars, as guarantee for claims of Nos. 4 and 5, or, in default of guarantee, farmers and taxes of Battambong and Siem Reap.
Should these terms not be accepted, the French Minister will leave and the coast be forthwith blockaded. In answer to the third paragraph of the question, I have to say that we expect to hear through Lord Dufferin shortly what are the geographical limitations assigned by the French Government to this part of their demand. The answer to the next two paragraphs must, of course, depend upon the reply received on this point. In reply to the concluding paragraph, I can only repeat that Her Majesty's Government are most desirous to further a friendly settlement.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

The hon. Baronet has not answered the last paragraph of my question.

SIR E. GREY

No, Sir; I do not think it would conduce to a friendly settlement of this question that we should interfere in the matter of the extension of time.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Does the hon. Baronet mean by that to say that the settlement of the terms may become a fait accompli before the English Government have time to communicate with the French?

SIR E. GREY

I have already stated that as regards the one point which concerns the British Government—namely, the territorial arrangement—we are already opening communications with the French Government; but no geographical limitation has yet been laid down.