Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 62 Part 2.djvu/322

 1600 Inspection of private vessels. Salvage of vessels. TREATIES [62 STAT. maintenance of internal order on board vessels of his country within the territories or the territorial waters of the country by which he has been received, and upon such request the requisite assistance shall be given promptly. 4. A consular officer shall have the right to appear with the officers and crews of vessels of his country before the judicial authorities of the country by which he has been received for the purpose of observing proceedings or of rendering assistance as an interpreter or agent. ARTICLE XII 1. 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 to and about to clear for the ports of his country, for the sole purpose of observing the sanitary conditions and measures taken on board such vessels, in order that he may 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 de- parture by vessels destined to its ports, with a view to facilitating entry of such vessels. 2. In exercising the right conferred upon them by this Article, consular officers shall act with all possible dispatch and without unnecessary delay. ARTICLE XIII 1. All proceedings relative to the salvage of vessels of either High Contracting Party wrecked upon the coasts of the other High Con- tracting Party 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 for such purpose by the law of such country and whose identity and authority shall be made known to the local authorities by the consular officer. 2. The local authorities of the country where the wreck has oc- curred shall immediately inform the consular officer, or such other authorized person, of the occurrence. Pending the arrival of the consular officer or such other authorized person, the local authorities shall take all necessary measures for the protection of persons and the preservation of the wrecked property. The local authorities shall intervene only to maintain order, to protect the interests of the salvors, if the salvors do not belong to the crew of the wrecked vessel, and to ensure the execution of the arrangements which shall be made for the entry and exportation of the salvaged merchandise and equip- ment. It is understood that such merchandise and equipment shall not be subjected to any customs or customhouse charges unless in- tended for consumption in the country where the wreck has occurred. 3. When the wreck occurs within a port, there shall be observed also those arrangements which may be ordered by the local authorities

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