and of the other or others of the belligerent parties, he held to he
neutral for so long as the war lasts, and considered as belonging to
a non-belligerent state; the belligerent parties will then abstain
from extending hostilities into such neutralised territories as wel
as from using them as a base for operations of war.
A r t i c l e X II.
In the event of a serious disagreement originating on the sub-
iect. or arising within the limits of the territories mentioned b
Article I., and placed under the system of freedom of trade, between
Powers signatory to the present Act or Powers accepting the same,
these Powers undertake before appealing to arms to have recourse
to the mediation of one or several of the friendly Powers.
Under the said circumstances th e 's a id Power reserve to themselves
the option of proceeding to arbitration.
CHAPTER IY.
ACT 0E THE NAVIGATION OF THE CONGO.
A r t i c l e X I I I .
The navigation of the Congo, without any exception of any
branches or issues of the river, is to remain entirely free for merchant
shipping of all nations in cargo or ballast, for the carriage of
goods or the carriage of passengers. I t shall be m accordance with
the provisions of the present Act of navigation or of the regulations
established in execution of the said Act. _
In the exercise of th a t navigation the subjects and flags of all
nations shall under all circumstances be treated on a footing o
absolute equality as well as regards the direct navigation from th e
open sea towards the interior ports of the Congo, and mce versa as
for grand and petty coasting and boat and river work all along the
"^Consequently, throughout the Coo go’s course and mouths, no
distinction shall be made between the subjects of the river-side
States and those not bordering on the river, and no exclusive privilege
of navigation shall be granted either to societies or corporations
or individuals.
These provisions are recognised by the signatory Powers as
X.— oW+.L forming' oart of public international law.
A r t ic l e XIV.
The navigation of the Congo shall not be subjected to any
restraints or imposts which are not expressly stipulated for in the
present Act. I t shall not be burdened with any duties for har
bourage stoppages, depots, breaking bulk, or putting in through
stress of weather. 6 &
Throughout the length of the Congo ships end merchandise
r t j j f l . t a g the Stoam shall he subject to n o transit dues, no
matter what may be their origm or destination.
onTth lrf a i of n0t ^ ?-tabliSh6d any toUs’ marine on the fact of navigation alone, nor shall any dutyo bre ri^mepro,s ebdas oend
the merchandise on board the vessels. Such taxes and dufies only
shall be levied as are of the character of remuneration for services
rendered to the said navigation. That is to say :
1. Taxes of the p o rt for the actual use of certain local establishments,
such as wharves, warehouses, &c.
The tariff of such taxes to be calculated on the expenses
o£ construction and support of the said local establishments
and m its application to be independent of the origin of the
vessels and the ir cargo.
2. Pilotage dues on sections of the river, or where it appears
necessary to establish stations of certificated pilots.
The tariff of these dues to be fixed and proportionate to
the services rendered.
ues in respect of the technical and administrative expenses
imposed m the general interest of the navigation, and comprising
lighthouse, beacon, and buoyage dues.
Hues of the last description to be based on the tonnage of
the ships according to the papers on board, and to be con-
formabie to the regulations in force on the Lower Danube.
_ I he tariffs of the taxes and dues mentioned in the three preced-
aKre to be Mofficially p uHblisihe id mm iet a0cfh I pfor td. ifferential treatment, and
v e Z \ P0Wer+S "eserve t0 themselves the rig h t at the end of five
I S 1 mut*al c e m e n t , to inquire into the above-mentioned
raritts, m case they require revision.
A r t ic l e XV.
« M B i of <tagn .h u ll under ,11 circumstance, be
w E r L ” ” reS”U t‘a" B “ t e of they »re the •
VOL. II.