An occasional correspondent of the Times, writing from Bangkok, says
that French influence is now supreme there. The French representatives keep up a constant worry, which, in the judgment of the writer, keeps the Siamese from im- proving themselves, and impels them to look to the British for protection. The French have recently declared themselves. protectors of the Japanese in Siam, to the great annoyance of that rather vain people ; and it is feared that they will by and by announce themselves protectors of the Chinese, who number nearly half the population. The Siamese are there- fore growing timid and disposed to expect a French Pro- tectorate, which will of course be inimical to British interests. The story is a little vague, and one does not quite see why French, intervention should stop progress in Siam, while British intervention would materially encourage it. We suspect, however, that the French, after their fashion, are making themselves hated by their interference with old customs ; and that when the struggle for Siam actually begins, they will find that the whole population, if not pro- British, is at least anti-French. As a matter of fact, we imagine the Siamese hold us both in profound detestation, but are aware that we are content they should retain their inde- pendence, while the French are anxious to build up an Indo- Chinese Empire. If they persist, they will probably build up something ; but as yet they have never persisted in an Asiatic enterprise.
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