The occupation by the French of the town of Chantaboon, on the east coast of
the Gulf of Siam in accordance with their ultimatum, viz, until Siam vacated
the country so recently ceded to France, has been thoroughly carried out on
the part of the French, so much so that reports are received in Bangkok to
the effect that they are fortifying the place to a considerable degree, and
the prevailing opinion is that they will never vacate it; indeed, the fact
that Siam has already completely vacated the Mekong country, and yet the
French are still in Chantaboon, would seem significant.
The article (III) in the treaty inclosed, relating to the provinces of
Battambong and Siam Reap, more particularly concerns the great lakes along
the border of these provinces and Cambodia, noted for their great
fisheries.
[Inclosure in No.
79.—Translation.]
Treaty.
His Majesty the King of Siam and the President of the French Republic,
desiring to put an end to the disputes which have recently arisen
between the two countries, and to consolidate the relations of
friendship which have existed for centuries between Siam and France,
have appointed as their plenipotentiaries, to wit:
- His Majesty the King of Siam, his royal higness Prince
Devawongse Varoprakar, knight of the Order of Maha Chakrkri,
grand officer of the Legion of Honor, etc., minister of foreign
affairs;
- And the President of the French Republic, M. Charles Marie Le
My re de Vilers, grand officer of the Legion of Honor and of the
White Elephant, minister plenipotentiary of the first class,
member of the House of Deputies;
Who, after having communicated their full powers to each other, and
having found them to be in good and due form, have agreed upon the
following articles:
Article I.
The Siamese Government renounces all claim to all the territory on the
left bank of the Mekong and to the islands in the river.
Article II.
The Siamese Government pledges itself not to keep and not to cause to
sail armed boats or vessels on the waters of the Great Lake, of the
Mekong, or of their affluents lying within the limits mentioned in the
following article.
Article III.
The Siamese Government shall build no fortified post or military
establishment in the provinces of Battambong and Siam Reap, and within a
radius of 25 kilometers on the right bank of the Mekong.
Article IV.
Within the zones mentioned in Article III, police surveillance shall, as
has hitherto been the custom, be exercised by the local authorities with
such contingents as may be strictly necessary. No armed force, whether
regular or irregular, shall be kept there.
Article V.
The Siamese Government pledges itself to commence, within six months,
negotiations with the French Government with a view to the adjustment of
the customs and commercial régime for the territories mentioned in
Article III, and to a revision of the treaty of 1856. Until the
conclusion of this agreement no customs duties shall be established in
the zone mentioned in Article III. Reciprocity shall continue to be
granted by the French Government to the productions of the aforesaid
zone.
Article VI.
Inasmuch as the development of navigation on the Mekong may require the
performance of certain work on the right bank, or the establishment of
relays of boats and of stores of wood and coal, the Siamese Government
pledges itself to furnish, at the request of the French Government, all
the facilities necessary to this effect.
Article VII.
French citizens or subjects, or persons under French jurisdiction, may
travel freely and engage in trade in the territories mentioned in
Article III, provided they are furnished with a pass issued by the
French authorities. Reciprocity shall be granted to the inhabitants of
said zones.
Article VIII.
The French Government reserves to itself the right to establish
consulates where it may think proper in the interest of its subjects,
and particularly at Korat and Muang Nan.
Article IX.
In case of any difficulty of interpretation, the French text shall be the
sole standard.
Article X.
This treaty shall be ratified within four months from the date of
signature.
In testimony whereof the above-named plenipotentiaries have signed this
treaty in duplicate, and have thereunto affixed their seals.
Done at the palace of Vallabha, at
Bangkok, October the third, 1893.
- Devawongse Varoprakar.
- Le Myre de Vilers.
