Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 54 Part 2.djvu/537

 54 STAT.] LIBERIA-CONSULAR OFFICERS-OCT. 7, 1938 consular officer shall not exercise jurisdiction except in so far as he is permitted to do so by the local law. A consular officer may freely invoke the assistance of the local police authorities in any matter pertaining to the maintenance of internal order on board of a vessel under the flag of his country within the territorial waters of the State to which he is appointed, and upon such a request the requisite assistance shall be given. A consular officer may appear with the officers and crews of vessels under the flag of his country before the judicial authorities of the State to which he is appointed for the purpose of observing the pro- ceedings or of rendering assistance as an interpreter or agent. ARTICLE XI A consular officer of either High Contracting Party shall have the right to inspect within the ports of the other High Contracting Party within his consular district, the private vessels of any flag destined or about to clear for ports of the country appointing him in order to observe the sanitary conditions and measures taken on board such vessels, and to be enabled thereby to execute intelligently bills of health and other documents required by the laws of his country, and to inform his Government concerning the extent to which its sanitary regulations have been observed at ports of depar- ture by vessels destined to its ports, with a view to facilitating entry of such vessels therein. In exercising the right conferred upon them by this Article, con- sular officers shall act with all possible despatch and without unnec- essary delay. ARTICLE XII All proceedings relative to the salvage of vessels of either High Contracting Party wrecked upon the coasts of the other shall be directed by the consular officer of the country to which the vessel belongs and within whose district the wreck may have occurred, or by some other person authorized thereto by the law of that country. Pending the arrival of such officer, who shall be immediately in- formed of the occurrence, or the arrival of such other person, whose authority shall be made known to the local authorities by the con- sular officer, the local authorities shall take all necessary measures for the protection of persons and the preservation of wrecked prop- erty. The local authorities shall not otherwise interfere than for the maintenance of order, the protection of the interests of the salvors, if these do not belong to the crews that have been wrecked and to carry into effect the arrangements made for the entry and exportation of the merchandise saved. It is understood that such merchandise is not to be subjected to any customhouse charges, unless it be intended for consumption in the country where the wreck may have taken place. The intervention of the local authorities in these different cases shall occasion no expense of any kind, except such as may be caused by the operations of salvage and the preservation of the goods saved, 1757 Local aid to main- tain order on ship- board. Appearance before judicial authorities. Inspection of vessels clearing for ports of consul's country. Salvage of ship- wrecked vessels. Local Intervention limited.

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