With regard to the terms of mediation for the settlement of the border dispute between Thailand and French Indo-China which were signed on March 11 of this year between the three countries concerned, discussions have been continued for two months since then between the delegates of France and Thailand for the purpose of putting them into the form of treaty, with the Japanese representatives, as mediators, exercising their good offices. As the result of these efforts, a complete agreement of views has been reached between the countries concerned, and the Treaty of Peace between France and Thailand has been formally signed today, May 9.
That the purpose of the Mediation Conference convoked by the Japanese Government in Tokyo for the settlement of the Thai-French Indo-China border dispute has been completely accomplished in the brief period of three months is, of course, due to the fact that the Japanese Government have consistently exercised their effort with sincerity in order that amicable and good neighbourly relations may be established among various countries of East Asia and the ideal of co-existence and co-prosperity of these peoples may be realized. It also represents the fruit of earnest negotiations of both the French and Thai Governments, the parties directly concerned with the dispute, who have fully understood the real intentions of Japan. The peace and order of the South Eastern Asia have thus been secured on a new basis, thereby opening a new epoch in the construction of a new order in East Asia, a fact which is a source of profound gratification shared by the Japanese Government together with the French and Thai Governments.
It is particularly a significant result of the Conference that the documents previously exchanged between Japan and France and between Japan and Thailand have been signed as formal documents simultaneously with the conclusion of this Peace Treaty, thereby completing the understandings between Japan and Thailand and between Japan and French Indo-China concerning the establishment
of amicable and good neighbourly relations, the promotion of closer economic relations and also with reference to political, economic and military relations between them. It is our firm belief that the bond of close relations between the countries concerned will thereby be cemented still more strongly.
The gist of the French-Thai Peace Treaty is given in the following paragraphs.