TREATY BETWEEN FRANCE AND ANNAM.
SIGNED AT HUF, 6TH JUNE, 1884.
The Government of the French Republic and that of His Majesty the King of Annam, being desirous of for ever preventing the recurrence of the recent difficulties, and of strengthening the bonds of friendship and good neighbourhood (bon voisinage) have agreed upon the following Convention:-
Art. I.-Annam recognises and accepts the protectorate of France. France will represent Annam in all her foreign relations.
Annamites abroad will be placed under the protection of France.
Art. II.-A French military force shall permanently occupy Thuan-an. All the forts and military works of the Hué river shall be razed.
Art. III. From the frontier of Cochin-China to the frontier of the province of Ninh-Binh Annamite functionaries shall continue to administer the provinces com- prised within these limits, save as regards the Customs, Public Works, and in general all matters which require unique direction in the employment of European engineers or agents.
Art. IV. Within the limits above mentioned the Annamite Government shall declare open to the trade of all nations, besides the port of Quinhon, those of Turon and Xuan-Day. Other ports shall be subsequently opened in accordance with an understanding to be previously arrived at. The French Government shall at these ports appoint agents placed under the orders of its Resident at Fué.
Art. V.-A Resident-General, representing the French Government, shall preside over the foreign relations of Annam and shall assure the regular exercise of the pro- tectorate without interfering with the local administration of the provinces comprised within the limits fixed by Article III.
He shall reside in the citadel at Hué with a military guard.
The Resident-General shall have the right of private and personal audience with His Majesty the King of Annam.
Art. VI.-In Tonquin Residents or Assistant Residents shall be placed by the Government of the Republic in such chief places as their presence may be deemed desirable at. They shall be under the orders of the Resident-General.
They shall reside in the citadel and, in every case, in the same enclosure as is reserved for the mandarin. They shall bo given, if necessary, a French or native guard.
Art. VII.-The Residents shall not occupy themselves with the details of the internal administration of the provinces. Native functionaries of all ranks shall continue to govern under their control; but they shall be removed on the demand of the French Authorities.
Art. VIII.—French functionaries and employés of whatever category shall com- municate with the Annamite Authorities only through the Residents.