711.922/75

Draft of Note From the Siamese Minister (Rajamaitri) to the Secretary of State17

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of . . . . . . .18 by which you were so good as to inform me that the American Government is now prepared to enter into negotiations looking toward revision of Article III of the existing Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between the United States and Siam.

I am now instructed by my Government to inform you that the Siamese Government, reciprocating the spirit of accommodation manifested by the American Government in indicating willingness to assent to an elimination of any provision operating to prohibit or to restrict the creation by the Siamese Government of monopolies, will undertake to refrain from monopolizing the importation, distribution or sale of any commodity to the prejudice of the interests of American nationals, private and corporate, now possessing in Siam property necessary for the importation, distribution or sale of such commodity.

I am further instructed to inform you that the Siamese Government, as further evidence of the friendly disposition of Siam toward the United States, will undertake to extend to American nationals the benefits of any more favorable position in regard to tenure of land in Siam that may now be held by, or hereafter be granted to, nationals of any third country

  1. This draft note was prepared in the Department of State and given to the Siamese Minister during the course of the discussion on December 9 (see memorandum supra).
  2. Ante, p. 1109.