Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 217

FRANCE

TREATY AND CONVENTION BETWEEN FRANCE AND SIAM

SIGNED AT BANGKOK, 3RD OCTOBER, 1893

Treaty

Art. L-The Siamese Government renounces all pretension to the whole on the territories on the left bank of the Mekong and to the islands in the river.

Art. II. The Siamese Government undertakes not to place or navigate any armed boats or vessels on the waters of the great Tonle-Sap Lake, the Mekong, or their tributaries situated in the territory indicated in the next article.

Art. III.—The Siamese Government will construct no fortified post or military establishment in the provinces of Battambang and Siem-Reap or within a radius of 15 miles from the right bank of the Mekong.

Art. IV. In the zones mentioned in Article 3 the police service will be car- ried on as usual by the local authorities with the contingent forces that are strictly necessary. No regular or irregular armed force is to be maintained.

Art. V.-The Siamese Government binds itself to oper negotiations with the French Government, within six months, with a view to regulating the customs and Commercial system of the territories mentioned in Article 3, and to the revision of the Treaty of 1865. Until the conclusion of that agreement no customs duties will be established in the zone referred to in Article 3. Reciprocity will continue to be granted by the French Government to the products of the said zone.

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Art. VI. As the development of the navigation of the Mekong may render necessary certain works on the right bank or the establishment of relay stations for bots for wood an i coal depôts, the Siamese Government binds itself to give, on the request of the French Government, all the necessary facilities for this purpose.

Art. VII.-French citizens, whether actual subjects or political dependents, may travel about freely and carry on their business in the territories mentioned in Article 3, on being provided with a pass from the French authorities. Reciprocity will be accorded to the inhabitants of the said zone.

Art. VIII. The French Government reserves the right of establishing Con- sulates where it shall think proper in the interest of its citizeus, subjects, or depen- denta, and particularly at Khorat and at Muang Nam. The Siamese Government

grant the sites necessary for the erection of the said Consulates.

will

Art. IX.-In case of difficulties, the French text will be the sole authority. Art. X.-The present treaty must be ratified within four months from the date of its signature.

Convention

The Siamese military posts established on the left bank of the Mekong and on the islands in the river must be evacuated within a u.onth from the date of the signing of the present Convention. Those situated in the province of Angkor and Battambang, or on the right bank of the river within 15 miles thereof, must be evacuated at the same time and the fortifications razed.