Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 50 Part 2.djvu/568

 1476 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES ARTICLE XI Period for Payment of Compensation. Period for payment. 1. The payment of compensation for an insured parcel shall be made to the rightful claimant as soon as possible and at the latest within a period of one year counting from the day following that on which the application is made. Deferred payments However, the Administration responsible for making payment may exceptionally defer payment of indemnity for a longer period than that stipulated if, at the expiration of that period, it has not been able to determine the disposition made of the article in question or the Paymentwhe responsibility incurred. oficeM delays nine 2. Except in cases where payment is exceptionally deferred as months. provided in the second paragraph of the foregoing section, the Postal Administration which undertakes the payment of compensation is authorized to pay indemnity on behalf of the Office, which, after being duly informed of the application for indemnity, has let nine months pass without settling the matter. ARTICLE XII Fixing of Responsibility. Responsible office. 1. Until the contrary is proved, responsibility for an insured parcel rests with the Administration which, having received the parcel without making any reservations and being put in possession of all the regulation means of investigation, cannot establish the disposal of the parcel. 2. When the loss, rifling or damage of an insured parcel is detected upon opening the receptacle at the receiving exchange office and has been regularly pointed out to the dispatching exchange office, the responsibility falls on the Administration to which the latter office belongs, unless it be proved that the irregularity occurred in the service of the receiving Administration. Loss, etc., in transit. 3. If the loss, rifling or damage has taken place in the course of transportation, without its being possible to establish on the terri- tory or in the service of which country the act took place, the offices involved bear the loss in equal shares. Rights assumed by 4. The Administration paying compensation takes over, to the paying offce. extent of the amount paid, the rights of the person who has received it, in any action which may be taken against the addressee, the sender or a third party. found ot parel 5. If parcel which has been regarded as lost is subsequently found the person to whom compensation has been paid must be in- formed that he is at liberty to take possession of the parcel against repayment of the amount of compensation. ARTICLE XIII Repayment of Compensation. Repayment to coun- try paying. Without expense. 1. The Administration responsible for the loss, rifling or damage and on whose account the payment is effected, is bound to repay the amount of the indemnity to the country which has effected payment. This reimbursement must take place without delay, and at the latest within the period of nine months after notification of payment. 2. These repayments to the creditor country must be made without expense for that Office, by money order or draft, in money valid in

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