TREATY BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE AND THE
KINGDOM OF ANNAM.
SIGNED AT SAIGON, 15TH MARCH, 1874.
His Excellency the President of the Republic of France and His Majesty the King of Annam, wishing to unite their countries by the ties of a durable amity, have resolved to conclude a treaty of peace and alliance replacing that of 5th June, 1862, and they have in consequence named their plenipotentiaries to that effect, namely:-
His Excellency the President of the Republic of France: Rear Admiral Dupré, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Lower Cochin China, Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, Officer of Public Instruction, etc.; and His Majesty the King of Annam: Letuan, Minister of Justice, first ambassador, and Nguyen-van-tuong, First Councillor of the Minister of Rites, secord ambassador; who, after communication of their respective powers, found in due form, have agreed to the following articles :-
Art. I.-There shall be perpetual peace, amity, and alliance between France and the Kingdom of Annam.
Art. II. His Excellency the President of the French Republic recognising the sovereignty of the King of Annam and his entire independence of all foreign power whatsoever, promises him aid and assistance and engages to give him, on his demand and gratuitously, the necessary means for maintaining order and tranquility in his state, to defend it against all attacks, and to destroy the piracy which desolates a portion of the coasts of the Kingdom.
Art. III. In recognition of this protection, His Majesty the King of Annam engages to conform his foreign policy to that of France and in nothing to change his present diplomatic relations.
This political engagement does not extend to treaties of commerce, but in no case shall His Majesty the King of Annam make with any nation whatsoever a treaty of commerce in disaccord with that concluded between France and the Kingdom of Annam, and without having previously informed the French Government.
His Excellency the President of the French Republic engages to make to His Majesty the King of Aunam a gratuitous present:-
1.-Of five steam vessels of five hundred horse power, in perfect condition alike in their boilers and engines, arms aud equipment, in conformity with the provisions of the rules of armament.
2. Of one hundred cannon of seven and six centimetres in diameter, provided with two hundred charges per piece.
3. Of one thousand breech-loading rifles, and five hundred thousand cartridges. These boats and arms shall be delivered free in Cochin China within the space of one year from the date of the exchange of the ratifications.
Art. IV. His Excellency the President of the French Republic promises besides to place at the disposition of the King a sufficient number of military and marine instructors to reorganise his army and fleet; of engineers and chief artizans capable of directing the works which it shall please His Majesty to undertake; of men expert in finance to organise the excise and customs services in the Kingdom; of professors to establish a college at Hue. He promises also to furnish to the King the war vessels and the arms and munitions which His Majesty shall judge
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.