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within a time to be stated in such notice; and if such importers, consignecs, or holders should fail to export such intoxicants within the time named as aforesaid, the Siamese Government shall be at liberty to seize and destroy such intoxicants, whether duty has been paid upon such intoxicants or not. In all such cases where duty has been paid to the Siamese Government and the goods are seized, the duty shall be refunded.
"6. In this Treaty the word 'intoxicants' shall be deemed to include spirits, wine, beer, and all alcoholic or fermented liquors of every kind and description whatsoever."
Frequent complaints have been made to Mr. Palgrave by English and Chinese merchants, British subjects, of the illegal attempts made by the Siamese officials to hinder the free import and sale of Chinese spirit; boats have been seized, the liquor confiscated, the men in charge ill-treated, whilst no redress or compensation has been obtained from the Government Tribunals. The assertions have been confirmed by German and French firms concerned in the trade, and the correspondence communicated by Prince Prisdang shows that the Dutch merchants have experienced similar treatment.
Accordingly, the foreign Representatives, with the exception of the Consuls for Austria, Germany, Italy, and the United States, replied to the announcement of Prince Prisdang's mission to Europe by an identic note stating that the prompt and equitable settlement of all these cases of illegal seizure, &c., must precede any effective discussion of a Convention which would naturally involve a modification of the Trenties.
This appears to have induced the Siamese Government to make an agreement with the French, Dutch, and Portuguese Consuls, but during the absence of Mr. Palgrave in Java, of which the clauses were telegraphed as follows to Prince Prisdang, who communicated them on the 22nd October:-
"1. Settlement of old cases.
"2. Government to buy all stock, and ordered to date, with 10 per cent. profit to in- porters.
Mr. Palgrave, No. 68; Ditto, No. 41;
October 15, 1881.
May 31, 1882.
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M. Sturm;
December 24, 1881. M. Hengelmüller;
August 6, 1882.
"3. Lists of stock to be furnished by Consuls. "4. Siamese will not buy spirits ordered after date.
"5. Agreement only holds good pending your negotiation in Europe, only affects Chinese spirits, does not bind their Governments per- manently.
"6. Consuls will prevent retail sale by their protégés,"
The telegram went on to say that Mr. Palgrave had returned, and objected "because not free trade."
He was accordingly instructed on the 26th October to report his objections, and his answer may be expected in six weeks.
The action of the Austrian, German, Italian, and United States' Consuls in not joining in the identic note was no doubt due to the fact that their countrymen are not engaged in the spirit trade; but the Austrian and German Govern- ments have assured Lord Granville of their desire to act in concert with Her Majesty's Government upon this question.
Foreign Office,
November 9, 1882.
E. BARRINGTON.
(1799)
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