Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 781

TREATY BETWEEN THE GERMAN STATES AND SIAM.

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Art. XV.-In case of the decease of any of their respective subjects in the domi- nions of one or the other of the High Contracting Parties, his property shall be delivered unto the executor cf his will, or, if none have been appointed, unto the family of the deceased, or unto his partners in business. If the defunct possesses neither family nor partners in business, his property shall, in the dominions of both of the High Contracting Parties, be placed, as far as the laws of the land permit it, under the charge and control of the respective Consular officers, in order that they may deal with it in the customary manner, according to the laws and usages of their country.

Art. XVI.-Men-of-war belonging to any of the Contracting German States may enter the river and anchor at Paknam, but in case they intend to proceed to Bangkok they must first inform the Siamese authorities, and come to an understanding with the same respecting the anchorage.

Art. XVII.-Should a German vessel in distress enter into a Siamese port, the local authorities shall offer every facility for her being repaired and revictualled, so that she may be able to continue her voyage. Should a German vessel be wrecked on the coast of the Kingdom of Siam, the Siamese authorities of the nearest place, being informed thereof, shall immediately afford every possible assistance to the crew, and take all measures necessary for the relief and security of the vessel and cargo. They shall thereupon inform the German Consular Officer of what has taken place in order that he may, in conjunction with the competent Siamese authority, take the proper steps for sending the crew home, and dealing with the wreck and cargo.

Art. XVIII.-By paying the import and export duties mentioned hereafter, vessels belonging to any of the Contracting German States and their cargoes, shall be free in Siam of all dues of tonnage, pilotage, and anchorage, or other dues whatever, as well on their arrival as their departure. They shall enjoy all privileges and immunities which are or shall be granted to junks, Siamese vessels, or vessels of the most favoured nation.

Art. XIX. The duties to be levied on merchandize imported into the Kingdom of Siam by vessels belonging to any of the Contracting German States shall not exceed three per cent. on their value. They shall be paid in kind or in money, at the choice of the importer. If the importer cannot agree with the Siamese Custom-house officers as to the value of the merchandize imported, the matter shall be referred to the Consular Officer and a competent Siamese functionary, who, if they consider it necessary, will each invite one or two merchants to act as advisers, and will settle the difference according to justice.

After payment of the said import duty of three per cent., the merchandize may be sold by wholesale or retail, free of any charge whatsoever. Should goods be landed and not sold, and be again shipped for exportation, the whole of the duties paid on them shall be reimbursed; and in general no duty shall be levied on any cargo not sold. Nor shall any further duties, taxes, or charges be imposed or levied on imported goods after they have passed into the hands of Siamese purchasers.

Art. XX. The duties to be levied on Siamese produce, either before or at the time of shipment, shall be according to the tariff annexed to the present Treaty. Every article of produce subject to duties of exportation according to this tariff shall be free of all transit and other dues throughout the whole Kingdom of Siam, and it is likewise agreed that no Siamese produce, which shall have paid transit or other duties, shall be subject to any tariff, duty, or other charge whatsoever, either before or at the time of shipment.

Art. XXI.-On paying the duties above mentioned, which are not to be augmented in future, subjects of the Contracting German States shall be at liberty to import into the Kingdom of Siam from German and foreign ports, and likewise to export for all destinations, all goods which on the day of the signing of the present Treaty are not the object of a formal prohibition or a special monopoly. The Siamese Government reserves to itself, however, the right of prohibiting the exportation of rice, whenever it shall find reason to apprehend a dearth in the country. But such prohibition, which must be published one month before being enforced, shall not interfere with the fulfilment of contracts made bond fide before its publication;