§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is he aware that at the International Court at Bangkok, in May last, two Siamese subjects were charged with being members of a gang who waylaid and seriously injured Mr. Lillie, a British subject; and, on a conviction, were let off by the Siamese Judge with a fine of about £16 each; and whether, in view of the Treaty between Great Britain and Siam, which guarantees British subjects, under Article 1, full protection and assistance to enable them to reside in Siam in all security, the Government propose to take any action in the matter?
§ SIR E. GREYHer Majesty's Government received a Report from Her Majesty's Minister at Bangkok on this incident, and also full reports of the proceedings with regard to it in the Consular and International Courts at Bangkok. The case occurred more than a year ago, and more than one question was put in the House of Commons at the time. It appears from the evidence that Mr. Lillie was stopped and subjected to some personal violence by several Siamese who had greatly resented the contemptuous expressions applied to the Siamese Government and nation by the newspaper of which he was the editor. Two of the Siamese concerned were brought up for trial and fined as stated, and half the amount was received by Mr. Lillie in compensation.
§ MR. HAYDENI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is he aware that, on the 25th of April, 1893, in the British Court at Bangkok, a man, called Ahamat, was convicted by a jury of having been one of a gang who waylaid and beat Mr. Lillie, editor of The Siam Free Press; that the official medical attendant swore that the wounds inflicted on Mr. Lillie constituted grievous bodily harm; and that it was proved that it was the prisoner who stopped Mr. Lillie's carriage and struck him with the butt end of a whip; and whether, in view of the fact that prisoner was sentenced to a fortnight's imprisonment with hard labour, although the Consul was bound, under Sections 6 and 49 of the Siam Order in 782 Council, 1889, to administer justice in accordance with the practice of English law, the Government propose to take any action in the matter?
§ SIR E. GREYThe report of the trial does not show that Mr. Lillie's medical attendant swore as stated. On the contrary, he stated in evidence that the bruises had disappeared in six days. The jury found Ahamat guilty of a common assault.