Mr. Boyd to Mr.
Gresham.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Bangkok, July 26, 1893.
(Received September 7.)
No. 68.]
Sir: I have the honor to now inclose a copy of the
French ultimatum to the Siamese Government and the latter’s reply
thereto.
The French minister, after placing the French subjects under the protection
of the Netherlands representative and notifying the representatives of the
foreign powers resident in Bangkok, left yesterday on board a French
gunboat, followed by the two other gunboats that had so recently fought
their way into the city.
I have, etc.,
Robert M. Boyd,
Vice-Consul-General.
[Inclosure 1 in
68.—Translation.]
M. Pavie to Prince
Devawongse.
Bangkok, 20th July,
1893.
Mr. Minister: I am ordered by my Government to
hand to your Royal Highness the following communication:
The French Government exact—
- First. The acknowledgment by the King of Siam of the rights of
the Empire of Annam, and of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the left
bank of the Mekong and on the islands.
- Second. The withdrawal of the Siamese posts established on the
left bank of the Mekong, in a delay which will not exceed one
month.
- Third. The satisfaction which is due for the incidents of
Thung Xieng Kham, Khani Muan, and the aggression committed
against our ships and our sailors in the river Menam.
- Fourth. The punishment of the culprits and the pecuniary
indemnity due to the families of the victims.
- Fifth. An indemnity of 2,000,000 francs for the various
damages caused to our countrymen.
- Sixth. The immediate deposit of a sum of 3,000,000 francs in
dollars to guarantee the pecuniary reparation and this
indemnity, or in default of this deposit the remittance as a
pawn of the collection of the farms or taxes, or income of the
provinces of Battambong and Siemraph.
The Siamese Government must inform in a delay of forty-eight hours if
they accept these conditions; in this case, it will be stated by an
exchange of letters between Prince Devawongse and the French minister,
in default of an answer, or in case of refusal, at the expiration of the
delay the minister of France will leave Bangkok and will go on board the
Forfait.
The blockade will immediately be declared on the coasts of Siam.
If during the way from Bangkok to the bar a hostile act is committed
against our gunboats the Siamese Government are notified that they
expose themselves to reprisal.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
68—Translation.]
Prince Devawongse
to M. Pavie.
Mr. Minister: In reply to communication which,
by order of your Government, you handed to me on Thursday, the 20th
instant, at a quarter to 7 o’clock in the evening, I am instructed by
His Majesty, the King, my august master, to make the following
declaration:
- First. His Majesty regrets that no distinct definition was
ever given to him of what he is to understand by the “rights” of
the Empire of Annam and of the Kingdom
[Page 555]
of Cambodia, on the left bank of the
Mekong, and on the islands. He always was prepared to abandon
any territory to which such rights should be proved, and already
five months ago he proposed to defer any contested points to
international arbitration. Now, however, he submits to the
pressure of circumstances, and in order to restore peace to his
people, and security to the numerous trading interests engaged
in this country, he consents that, in the delimitation of the
frontier between Siam and Ann am or Cambodia, the whole
territory on the left bank of the Mekong, situated south of a
line drawn from the most northern Siamese military post,
recently occupied by Franco-Annamite troops, to a point situated
at the same latitude, say 18 degrees of northern latitude on the
left bank of the Mekong, will be considered as Annamite or
Cambodian territory, the river below this point being made the
dividing line between the neighboring States.
- Second. The Siamese military posts still existing in the
aforesaid territory will be evacuated within one month.
- Third. His Majesty sincerely deplores the loss of lives which
on both sides was the consequence of the incidents of Thung
Kieng Kham, of Khannam (Kengchek) and of the fatal collision
which occurred at the entrance of the Menam. The Bangbion will
be released and other satisfaction will be given if necessary,
as far as they are compatible with ordinary justice and with the
independence of the Siamese Government which the French
Government has declared it will respect.
- Fourth. The persons found guilty of individual aggression
contrary to national or international law against French
subjects, condignly punished and any pecuniary reparation due
will be given to the families of the victims.
- Fifth. A long correspondence was exchanged between us relating
to certain claims made by French subjects for damages which they
allege to have suffered by the fault of Siamese officials. I
contended in the name of the Siamese Government that no damages
were due, because we considered there was no fault on the part
of the Siamese officials. Now His Majesty, guided by the same
consideration as aforesaid, consents not to insist on the
question of principle, and to pay to the Government of the
French Republic a sum of two millions of francs to cover the
amount of damages which my be found to have been really suffered
in all or any of the above-mentioned cases. The Siamese
Government would suggest, without making it a condition
therefor, that the appreciation of these amounts and of the
pecuniary reparation whereof question in the fourth paragraph
might be deferred to a joint commission.
- Sixth. An immediate deposit of three millions of francs, in
dollars, as a guarantee for the aforesaid pecuniary reparation
and for the indemnity, will be made concurrently with the
exchange of notes between us.
His Majesty’s Government having reason to believe that the estimate of
three millions of francs considerably exceeds the amount of pecuniary
reparation and indemnity which may be found due after full inquiry,
trusts in the justice of the French Government, or the returning of such
part of the deposited money which may remain after a full settlement of
all cases.
His Majesty’s Government trusts that the compliance with the demands of
the French Government resulting from the foregoing declarations will be
considered as proving their sincere desire of living in good and
friendly terms with the French Republic, and of settling in a complete
and definite manner all questions pending between the two
governments.
Accept, etc.,
