Formal agreement for the Termination of the State of war Between Siam and Great Britain and India, and Exchange of Notes Between the Siamese Government and Australia with a View to Terminating the State of War.
Bangkok: 1946. Pamphlet. A 1946 agreement, printed in Thai and English, terminating the "state of war" between Siam (Thailand) and Great Britain, India and Australia.
The Australian content having to do with Australian prisoners of war, who, along with other Allied prisoners, were forced to build the Japanese railway linking Thailand and Burma. The railway was built using hand tools by a captive labor force of about 60,000 Allied prisoners of war and 200,000 Asian laborers. At least 2,815 Australians lost their lives in its building, as well as 11,000 Allied prisoners and 75,000 laborers. After the war, many Japanese and Koreans were tried for war crimes based on the brutal treatment of the prisoners of war during the construction, and 32 were sentenced to death.
The first part of the booklet consists of the Agreement (19pp) in which "Great Britain generously decided to adopt a novel method, that is to say, instead of making Siam conclude a treaty of peace, Great Britain merely required Siam to accept certain terms relating to the restitution of the property which had suffered damage during the war and to the cooperation of Siam in the economic rehabilitation and in ensuring international security as well as promoting world peace in order to prevent war in the future." (Communique, p1).
The text of the Agreement for "Restitution and Readjustment", consists of 24 Articles, dated first day of January 1946, and signed (printed signature) for Great Britain and Northern Ireland by M. E. Dening; for India by M. S. Aney; and for Siam by Viwat, Phya Abhai Songgram, and S. Vinicchayakul.
The Agreement is followed by the Communique (pp20 - 27) referring to the state of war with Australia, and the preliminary agreement reached "by an exchange of Notes, which will lead to the termination of the state of war". The Communique goes on to state that steps have been taken "to compensate any losses or damage sustained by the Australian Government and Australian citizens; they have afforded succour and assistance to Australian prisoners of war interned in Siam ..." (p18). Followed by a letter from Colonel A. J. Eastman (Australia) to Prince Viwatchai Chaiyant, concerning terms of the upcoming treaty, including taking responsibility for the well being of Australians interned in Siam since December 1941, and the apprehension of war criminals; and the response letter from Siam.
Royal 8vo, 27pp, Errata slip. Printed paper wrappers, titles at front wrapper in Thai and English. Spine strengthened with additional heavier paper strip; rear wrapper a bit chipped at edges, faintly damp stained. Libraries Australia ID 40426154 identifies the document but does not cite a library holding it. OCLC: 70122867 records two copies, at Cornell and the Library of Congress. Very good condition. Item #21792
Sold