No. 605.
Mr. Child
to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Bangkok,
Siam, May 10, 1887. (Received June
25.)
No. 25.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
received a dispatch from His Royal Highness Prince Devawongse, minister for
foreign affairs, inclosing a law agreed to by a committee of representatives
of the treaty powers appointed for the purpose of regulating the importation
and sale of spirituous liquors in Siam, a copy of which, together with a
copy of the law,* is
herewith transmitted. At present but little American liquor is sent to Siam,
hence the duty will not materially effect our trade at present, but there is
a demand springing up for the better class of whiskies and California wines
that may result eventually in a large trade. In consultation with members of
the consular body here, I find that it was agreed on their part that the new
law should be put in force. Such being the case, I hope that you may grant
the request of Prince Devawongse, that the law may become operative upon the
1st of September next, as suggested.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
25.—Translation.]
Prince Devawongse
to Mr. Child.
Foreign
Office,
Bangkok,
April 30, 1887.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to forward you
herewith a printed copy of the new law (of 1249), for the regulation of
the trade in spirituous liquors in Siam.
It will doubtless be in your recollection that in the month of January,
1885, a committee was appointed by the representatives of the treaty
powers, to confer with the officials appointed by His Majesty’s
Government respecting a draught of this law, which had been forwarded to
them from this office in that same month.
That committee after conferring with the Siamese officials, made certain
suggestions for the alteration of the draught law, which in other
respects they were good enough to approve. All the suggestions made by
the committee have been adopted, and the alterations proposed by them
have been embodied in the law, of which a translation is now sent. His
Majesty’s Government is happy to have been able in this instance to
defer to the wishes of the treaty powers.
I trust that the law, as now amended and settled, will be acceptable to
you as well as the representatives of the other powers interested, and
that your Government will deign to agree upon an early date of enforcing
the spirit convention of the 14th May, 1884.
I have therefore the honor to propose that such date shall not be later
than the 1st of September, 1887.
With the assurance of my high consideration, etc.,
