User:John Z/drafts/Convention of Constantinople

text from egyptian fm
CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, GERMANY, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, THE NETHERLANDS, RUSSIA AND TURKEY, RESPECTING THE FREE NAVIGATION OF THE SUEZ MARITIME CANAL SIGNED AT CONSTANTINOPLE, OCTOBER 29, 1888

ARTICLE I

The Suez Maritime Canal shall always be free and of commerce or of war, without ditinction of flag.

Consequently, the High Contracting Parties agree not in any way to interfere with the free use of the Canal, in time of war as in time of peace.

The Canal shall never be subjected to the exercise of the right of blockade.

ARTICLE II

The High Contracting Parties, recognizing that the Fresh-Water Canal is indispensable to the Maritime Canal, take note of the engagements of His Highness the Khedive towards the Universal Suez Canal Company as regards the Fresh-Water Canal; which engagements are stipulated in a Convention bearing the date of 18th March, 1863, containing an expose and four Articles.

They undertake not to interfere in any way with the security of that Canal and its branches, the working of which shall not be exposed to any attempt at obstruction.

ARTICLE III

The High Contracting Parties likewise undertake to respect the plant, establishments, buildings, and works of the Maritime

Canal and of the Fresh-Water-Canal.

ARTICLE IV

The Maritime Canal remaining open in time of war as a free passage, even to ships of war of belligerents, according to the terms of Article I of the present Treaty, the High Contracting Parties agree that no right of war, no act of hostility, nor any act having for its object to obstruct the free navigating of the Canal, shall be committed in the Canal and its ports, even though the Ottoman Empire should be one of the belligerent Powers.

Vessels of war of belligerents shall not revictual or take in stores in the Canal and its ports of access, except in so far may be strictly necessary. The transit of the aforesaid vessels through the Canal shall be effected with the least possible delay, in accordance with the Regulations in force, and without any intermission than the resulting from the necessities of the service.

Their stay at Port Said and in the roadstead of Suez shall not exceed twenty-four hours, except in case if distress. In such case they shall be bound to leave as soon as possible. An interval of twenty-four hours shall always elapse between the sailing of a belligerent ship from one of the ports of access and the departure of a ship belonging to the hostile Power.

ARTICLE V

In time of war belligerent Powers shall not disembark nor embark within the Canal and its ports of access either troops, munitions, or materials of war. But in case of an accidental hindrance in the Canal, men may be embarked or disembarked at the ports of access by detachments not exceeding 1,000 men, with a corresponding amount of war material.

ARTICLE VI

Prizes shall be subjected, in all respects, to the same rules as the vessels of war of belligerentse.

ARTICLE VII

The Powers shall not keep any vessel of war in the waters of the Canal (including lake Timsah and the Bitter Lakes).

Nevertheless, they may station vessel of war in the ports of access of Port Said and Suez, the number of which shall not exceed two for each power.

This right shall not be exercised by belligerents.

ARTICLE VIII

The agents in Egypt of the Signatory Powers of the present Treaty shall be charged to watch over its execution. In case of any event threatening the security or the free passage of the Canal, they shall meet on the summons of three of their number under the presidency of their Doyen, in order to proceed to the necessary verifications. They shall inform the Khedivial Government of the danger which they may have perceived, in order that that Government may take proper steps to insure the protection and the free use of the Canal. Under any circumstances, they shall meet once a year to take note of the due execution of the Treaty.

The last mentioned meetings shall take place under the presidency of a Special Commissioner nominated for that purpose by the Imperial Ottoman Government. A Commissioner of the Khedive may also take part in the meeting, and may preside over it in case of the absence of the Ottoman Commissioner.

They shall especially demand the suppression of any work or the dispersion of any assemblage on either bank of the Canal, the object or effect of which might be to interfere with the liberty and the entire security of the navigation.

ARTICLE XI

The Egyptian Government shall, within the limit of its powers resulting from the Firmans, and under the conditions provided for in the present Treaty, take the necessary measures for insuring the execution of the said Treaty.

In case the Egyptian Government shall not have sufficient means at its disposal, it shall call upon the Imperial Ottoman Government, which shall take the necessary measures to respond to such appeal, shall give notice thereof to the Signatory Powers of the Declaration of London of the 17th March, 1885, and shall, if necessary, concert with them on the subject.

The provisions of Articles IV, V, VII and VIII shall not interfere with the measures which shall be taken in virtue of the present Article.

ARTICLE X

Similarly, the provisions of Articles IV, V, VII and VIII shall not interfere with the measures which His Majesty the Sultan and His Highness the Khedive, in the name of His Imperial Majesty, and within the limits of the Firmans granted, might find it necessary to take for securing by their own forces the defence of Egypt and the maintenance of public order.

In case His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, or His Highness the Khedive, would find it necesary to avail themselves of the exceptions for which this article provides, the Signatory Powers of the Declaration of London shall be notified thereof by the Imperial Ottoman Government.

It is likewise understood that the provisions of the four Articles aforesaid shall in no case occasion any obstacle to the measures which the Imperial Ottoman Government may think it necessary to take in order to insure by its own forces the defence of its other possessions situated on the eastern coast of the Red Sea.

ARTICLE XI

The measures which shall be taken in the cases provided for by Article IX and X of the present Treaty shall not interfere with the free use of the Canal. In the same cases, the erection of permanent fortifications contrary to the provisions of Article VIII is prohibited.

ARTICLE XII

The High Contracting Parties, by application of the principle of equality as regards the free use of the Canal, a principle which forms one of the bases of the present Treaty, agree that none of them shall endeavour to obtain with respect to the Canal territorial or commercial advantages or privileges in any international arrangements which may be concluded. Moreover, the rights of Turkey as the territorial Power are reserved.

ARTICLE XIII

With the exception of the obligations provided for in this treaty, no encroachment is legalised on the rights of sovereignty or prerogatives deriving from the firmans.

ARTICLE XIV

The High Contracting Parties agree that the engagements resulting from present Treaty shall not be limited by the duration of the Acts of Concession of the Universal Suez Canal Company.

ARTICLE XV

The stipulations of the present Treaty shall not interfere with the sanitary measures in force in Egypt.

ARTICLE XVI

The High Contracting Parties undertake to bring the present Treaty to the knowledge of the States which have not signed it, inviting them to accede to it.

ARTICLE XVII

The present Treaty shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Constantinople, within the space of one month, or sooner, if possible.

In faith of which the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty, and have affixed to it the seal of their arms.

Done at Constantinople, the 29th day of the month of October, in the year 1888.

jnmoore volume
CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, GERMANY, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, THE NETHERLANDS, RUSSIA AND TURKEY, RESPECTING THE FREE NAVIGATION OF THE SUEZ MARITIME CANAL SIGNED AT CONSTANTINOPLE, OCTOBER 29, 1888

Au nom du Dieu Tout-Puissant, Le Président de la République Française, S. M. l'Empereur d'Allemagne, Roi de Prusse, S. M. l'Empereur d'Autriche, Roi de Bohème, etc., et Roi Apostolique de Hongrie, S. M. le Roi d'Espagne et en Son nom la Reine Régente du Royaume, S. M. la Reine du Royaume-Uni de la Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande, Impératrice des Indes, S. M. le Roi d'Italie, S. M. le Roi des Pays-Bas, Grand-Duc de Luxembourg, etc., S. M. l'Empereur de toutes les Russies et S. M. l'Empereur des Ottomans, voulant consacrer par un acte conventionnel l'établissement d'un régime définitif destiné à garantir en tous temps et à toutes les Puissances le libre usage du Canal Maritime de Suez et compléter ainsi le régime sous lequel la navigation par ce Canal a été placée par le Firman de S. M. I. le Sultan en date du 22 février 1866 (2 Zilkadé 1280) sanctionnant les concessions de S. A. le Khédive, ont nommé pour leurs Plénipotentiaires, savoir : Le Président de la République Française : - le Sieur Gustave Louis Lannes, Comte de Montebello, Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire de France ; S. M. l'Empereur d'Allemagne, Roi de Prusse : - le Sieur Joseph de Radowitz, Son Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire ; S. M. l'Empereur d'Autriche, Roi de Bohême, etc., et Roi Apostolique de Hongrie : - le Sieur Henri, Baron de Calice, Son Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire ; S. M. le Roi d'Espagne et en Son nom la Reine Régente du Royaume: - le Sieur Don Miguel Florez y Garcia, Son Chargé d'Affaires ; S. M. la Reine du Royaume-Uni de la Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande, Impératrice des Indes : - le Très Honorable Sir William Arthur White, Son Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire ; S. M. le Roi d'Italie : - le Sieur Albert, Baron Blanc, Son Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire ; S. M. le Roi des Pays-Bas, Grand-Duc de Luxembourg, etc. : - le Sieur Gustave Keun, Son Chargé d'Affaires ; S. M. l'Empereur de toutes les Russies : - le Sieur Alexandre de Nelidow, Son Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire ; S. M. l'Empereur des Ottomans : - Mohammed Saïd Pacha, Son Ministre des Affaires Etrangères. lesquels, s'étant communiqué leurs pleins pouvoirs respectifs trouvés en bonne et due forme, sont convenus des articles suivants :

ARTICLE I

The Suez Maritime Canal shall always be free and of commerce or of war, without ditinction of flag.

Consequently, the High Contracting Parties agree not in any way to interfere with the free use of the Canal, in time of war as in time of peace.

The Canal shall never be subjected to the exercise of the right of blockade.

ARTICLE II

The High Contracting Parties, recognizing that the Fresh-Water Canal is indispensable to the Maritime Canal, take note of the engagements of His Highness the Khedive towards the Universal Suez Canal Company as regards the Fresh-Water Canal; which engagements are stipulated in a Convention bearing the date of 18th March, 1863, containing an expose and four Articles.

They undertake not to interfere in any way with the security of that Canal and its branches, the working of which shall not be exposed to any attempt at obstruction.

ARTICLE III

The High Contracting Parties likewise undertake to respect the plant, establishments, buildings, and works of the Maritime

Canal and of the Fresh-Water-Canal.

ARTICLE IV

The Maritime Canal remaining open in time of war as a free passage, even to ships of war of belligerents, according to the terms of Article I of the present Treaty, the High Contracting Parties agree that no right of war, no act of hostility, nor any act having for its object to obstruct the free navigating of the Canal, shall be committed in the Canal and its ports, even though the Ottoman Empire should be one of the belligerent Powers.

Vessels of war of belligerents shall not revictual or take in stores in the Canal and its ports of access, except in so far may be strictly necessary. The transit of the aforesaid vessels through the Canal shall be effected with the least possible delay, in accordance with the Regulations in force, and without any intermission than the resulting from the necessities of the service.

Their stay at Port Said and in the roadstead of Suez shall not exceed twenty-four hours, except in case if distress. In such case they shall be bound to leave as soon as possible. An interval of twenty-four hours shall always elapse between the sailing of a belligerent ship from one of the ports of access and the departure of a ship belonging to the hostile Power.

ARTICLE V

In time of war belligerent Powers shall not disembark nor embark within the Canal and its ports of access either troops, munitions, or materials of war. But in case of an accidental hindrance in the Canal, men may be embarked or disembarked at the ports of access by detachments not exceeding 1,000 men, with a corresponding amount of war material.

ARTICLE VI

Prizes shall be subjected, in all respects, to the same rules as the vessels of war of belligerentse.

ARTICLE VII

The Powers shall not keep any vessel of war in the waters of the Canal (including lake Timsah and the Bitter Lakes).

Nevertheless, they may station vessel of war in the ports of access of Port Said and Suez, the number of which shall not exceed two for each power.

This right shall not be exercised by belligerents.

ARTICLE VIII

The agents in Egypt of the Signatory Powers of the present Treaty shall be charged to watch over its execution. In case of any event threatening the security or the free passage of the Canal, they shall meet on the summons of three of their number under the presidency of their Doyen, in order to proceed to the necessary verifications. They shall inform the Khedivial Government of the danger which they may have perceived, in order that that Government may take proper steps to insure the protection and the free use of the Canal. Under any circumstances, they shall meet once a year to take note of the due execution of the Treaty.

The last mentioned meetings shall take place under the presidency of a Special Commissioner nominated for that purpose by the Imperial Ottoman Government. A Commissioner of the Khedive may also take part in the meeting, and may preside over it in case of the absence of the Ottoman Commissioner.

They shall especially demand the suppression of any work or the dispersion of any assemblage on either bank of the Canal, the object or effect of which might be to interfere with the liberty and the entire security of the navigation.

ARTICLE XI

The Egyptian Government shall, within the limit of its powers resulting from the Firmans, and under the conditions provided for in the present Treaty, take the necessary measures for insuring the execution of the said Treaty.

In case the Egyptian Government shall not have sufficient means at its disposal, it shall call upon the Imperial Ottoman Government, which shall take the necessary measures to respond to such appeal, shall give notice thereof to the Signatory Powers of the Declaration of London of the 17th March, 1885, and shall, if necessary, concert with them on the subject.

The provisions of Articles IV, V, VII and VIII shall not interfere with the measures which shall be taken in virtue of the present Article.

ARTICLE X

Similarly, the provisions of Articles IV, V, VII and VIII shall not interfere with the measures which His Majesty the Sultan and His Highness the Khedive, in the name of His Imperial Majesty, and within the limits of the Firmans granted, might find it necessary to take for securing by their own forces the defence of Egypt and the maintenance of public order.

In case His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, or His Highness the Khedive, would find it necesary to avail themselves of the exceptions for which this article provides, the Signatory Powers of the Declaration of London shall be notified thereof by the Imperial Ottoman Government.

It is likewise understood that the provisions of the four Articles aforesaid shall in no case occasion any obstacle to the measures which the Imperial Ottoman Government may think it necessary to take in order to insure by its own forces the defence of its other possessions situated on the eastern coast of the Red Sea.

ARTICLE XI

The measures which shall be taken in the cases provided for by Article IX and X of the present Treaty shall not interfere with the free use of the Canal. In the same cases, the erection of permanent fortifications contrary to the provisions of Article VIII is prohibited.

ARTICLE XII

The High Contracting Parties, by application of the principle of equality as regards the free use of the Canal, a principle which forms one of the bases of the present Treaty, agree that none of them shall endeavour to obtain with respect to the Canal territorial or commercial advantages or privileges in any international arrangements which may be concluded. Moreover, the rights of Turkey as the territorial Power are reserved.

ARTICLE XIII

With the exception of the obligations provided for in this treaty, no encroachment is legalised on the rights of sovereignty or prerogatives deriving from the firmans.

ARTICLE XIV

The High Contracting Parties agree that the engagements resulting from present Treaty shall not be limited by the duration of the Acts of Concession of the Universal Suez Canal Company.

ARTICLE XV

The stipulations of the present Treaty shall not interfere with the sanitary measures in force in Egypt.

ARTICLE XVI

The High Contracting Parties undertake to bring the present Treaty to the knowledge of the States which have not signed it, inviting them to accede to it.

ARTICLE XVII

The present Treaty shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Constantinople, within the space of one month, or sooner, if possible.

In faith of which the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty, and have affixed to it the seal of their arms.

Done at Constantinople, the 29th day of the month of October, in the year 1888.

Fait à Constantinople, le vingt-neuvième jour du mois d'octobre de l'an 1888. (L.S.) L. MONTEBELLO. (L.S.) RADOWITZ. (L.S.) CALICE. (L.S.) MIGUEL FLORES GARCIA. (L.S.) W. A. WHITE. (L.S.) BLANC. (L.S.) GUST. KEUN. (L.S.) NELIDOW. (L.S.) M. SAID.

barclay
12. SUEZ CANAL CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, GERMANY, AUSTRIA - HUNGARY, SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, THE NETHERLANDS, RUSSIA, AND TURKEY, RESPECTING THE FREE NAVIGATION OF THE SUEZ MARITIME CANAL Signed at Constantinople, October, 29, 1888. \

Ratifications deposited at Constantinople, December 22, 1888.]

(Official Translation.) Her Majesty etc., etc., wishing to establish, by a Conventional Act, a definite system destined to guarantee at all times, and for all the Powers, the free use of the Suez Maritime Canal, and thus to complete the system under which the navigation of this Canal has been placed by the Firman of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, dated the 22nd February, 1866 (2 Zilkade, 1282), and sanctioning the Concessions of His Highness the Khedive, have named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say: etc., etc. Who, having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles : —

ARTICLE I. The Suez Maritime Canal shall always be free and open, in time of war as in time of peace, to every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag. Consequently, the High Contracting Parties agree not in any way to interfere with the free use of the Canal, in time of war as in time of peace. The Canal shall never be subjected to the exercise of the right of blockade.

ARTICLE II. The High Contracting Parties, recognising that the Fresh-Water Canal is indispensable to the Maritime Canal, take note of the engagements of His Highness the Khedive towards the Universal Suez Canal Company as regards the Fresh-Water Canal ; which engagements are stipulated in a Convention bearing date the 18th March, 1863, containing an exposé and four Articles. They undertake not to interfere in any way with the security of that Canal and its branches, the working of which shall not be exposed to any attempt at obstruction.

ARTICLE III. The High Contracting Parties likewise undertake to respect the plant, establishments, buildings, and works of the Maritime Canal and of the Fresh-Water Canal.

ARTICLE IV. The Maritime Canal remaining open in time of war as a free passage, even to the ships of war of belligerents, according to the terms of Article I of the present Treaty, the High Contracting Parties agree that no right of war, no act of hostility, nor any act having for its object to obstruct the free navigation of the Canal, shall be committed in the Canal and its ports of access, as well as within a radius of 3 marine miles from those ports, even though the Ottoman Empire should be one of the belligerent Powers. Vessels of war of belligerents shall not revictual or take in stores in the Canal and its ports of access, except in so far as may be strictly necessary. The transit of the aforesaid vessels through the Canal shall be effected witli the least possible delay, in accordance with the Regulations in force, and without any other intermission than that resulting from the necessities of the service. Their stay at Port Said and in the roadstead of Suez shall not exceed twenty-four hours, except in case of distress. In such case they shall be bound to leave as soon as possible. An interval of twenty-four hours shall always elapse between the sailing of a belligerent ship from one of the ports of access and the departure of a ship belonging to the hostile Power.

ARTICLE V. In time of war belligerent Powers .shall not disembark nor embark within the Canal and its ports of access either troops, munitions, or materials of war. But in case of an accidental hindrance in the Canal, men may be embarked or disembarked at the ports of access by detachments not exceeding 1,000 men, with a corresponding amount of war material.

ARTICLE VI. Prizes shall be subjected, in all respects, to the same rules as the vessels of war of belligerents.

ARTICLE VII. The Powers shall not keep any vessel of war in the waters of the Canal (including Lake Timsah and the bitter Lakes). Nevertheless, they may station vessels of war in the ports of access of Port Said and Suez, the number of which shall not exceed two for each Power. This right shall not be exercised by belligerents.

ARTICLE VIII. The Agents in Egypt of the Signatory Powers of the present Treaty shall be charged to watch over its execution. In case of any event threatening the security or the free passage of the canal, they shall meet on the summons of three of their number under the presidency of their Doyen, in order to proceed to the necessary verifications. They shall inform the Khedivial Government of the danger which they may have perceived, in order that that Government may take proper steps to insure the protection and the free use of the Canal. Under any circumstances, they shall meet once a year to take note of the due execution of the Treaty. The last- mentioned meetings shall take place under the presidency of a Special Commissioner nominated for that purpose by the Imperial Ottoman Government. A Commissioner of the Khedive may also take part in the meeting, and may preside over it in case of the absence of the Ottoman Commissioner. They shall especially demand the suppression of any work or the dispersion of any assemblage on either bank of the Canal, the object or effect of which might be to interfere with the liberty and the entire security of the navigation.

ARTICLE IX. The Egyptian Government shall, within the limits of its powers resulting from the firmans, and under the conditions provided for in the present Treaty, take the necessary measures for insuring the execution of the said Treaty. In case the Egyptian Government should not have sufficient means at ils disposal, it shall call upon the Imperial Ottoman Government which shall take the necessary measures to respond to such appeal ; shall give notice thereof to the Signatory Poweis of the Declaration of London of the 17th March, 1885 ; and shall, if necessary, concert with them on the subject. The provisions of Articles IV, V, VII, and VIII shall not interfere with the measures which shall be taken in virtue of the present Article.

ARTICLE X. Similarly, the provisions of Articles IV, V, VII, and VIII shall not interfere with the measures which His Majesty the Sultan and His Highness the Khedive, in the name of His Imperial Majesty, and within the limits of the Firnans granted, might find it necessary to take for securing by their own forces the defence of Egypt and the maintenance of public order. In case His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, or His Highness the Khedive, should find it necessary to avail themselves of the exceptions for which this Article provides, the Signatory Powers of the Declaration of London shall be notified thereof by the Imperial Ottoman Government. It is likewise understood that the provisions of the four Articles aforesaid shall in no case occasion any obstacle to the measures which the Imperial Ottoman Government may think it necessary to take in order to insure by its own forces the defence of its other possessions situated on the eastern coast of the Red Sea.

ARTICLE XI. The measures which shall be taken in the cases provided for by Articles IX and X of the present Treaty shall not interfere with the free use of the Canal. In the same cases the erection of permanent fortifications contrary to the provisions of Article VIII is prohibited.

ARTICLE XII. The High Contracting Parties, by application of the principle of equality as regards the free use of the Canal, a principle which forms one of the bases of the present Treaty, agree that none of them shall endeavour to obtain with respect to the Canal territorial or commercial advantages or privileges in any international arrangements which may be concluded. Moreover, the rights of Turkey as the territorial Power are reserved.

ARTICLE XIII. With the exception of the obligations expressly provided by the clauses of the present Treaty, the sovereign rights of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan and the rights and immunities of His Highness the Khedive, resulting from the Firmans, are in no way afTected.

ARTICLE XIV. The High Contracting Parties agree that the engagements resulting from the present Treaty shall not be limited by the duration of the Acts of Concession of the Universal Suez Canal Company.

ARTICLE XV. The stipulations of the present Treaty shall not interfere with the sanitary measures in force in Egypt.

ARTICLE XVI. The High Contacting Parties undertake to bring the present Treaty to the knowledge of the states which have not signed it, inviting them to accede to it.

ARTICLE XVII The present Treaty shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Constantinople within the space of one month, or sooner if possible. In faith of which the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty, and have attixed to it the seal of their arms. Done at Constantinople, the 29th day of the month of October, in the year 1888.

barclay french
Au nom de Dieu Tout-Puissant. Sa Majesté etc., etc., voulant consacrer, par un Acte Conven- tionnel, l'établissement d'un regime definitif, destiné a garantir, en tout temps et a toutes les Puissances, le libre usage du Canal Maritime de Suez et computer ainsi le regime sous lequel la navigation par ce Canal a eté placeé, par le Firman de Sa Majesté Impériale le Sultan, en date du 22 Fe"vrier, 1866 (2 Zilkadé, 1282), sanctionnant les Concessions, de Son Altesse le Khedive, ont nomm£ pour leurs Ple"nipotentiaires, savoir : etc., etc. Lesquels, s'étant communiqué leurs pleins pouvoirs respectifs, trouvés en bonne et du forme, sont convenus des Articles suivants : — ARTICLE I. Le Canal Maritime de Suez sera toujours libre et ouvert, en temps de guerre comme en temps de paix, a tout navire de commerce ou de guerre, sans distinction de pavilion. En consequence, les Hautes Parties Contractantes convien- nent de ne porter aucune atteinte au libre usage du Canal en temps de guerre comme en temps de paix. Le Canal ne sera jamais assujetti a 1'exercise du droit de blocus.

ARTICLE II. Les Hautes Parties Contractantes reconnaissent que le Canal d'Eau-Douce est indispensable au Canal Maritime, prennent acte des engagements de Son Altesse le Khédive envers la Compagnie Universelle du Canal de Suez, en ce qui concerne le Canal d'Eau Douce, engagements stipule's dans une Convention en date du 1 8 Mars, 1863, contenant un exposé et quatre Articles. Elles s'engagent a ne porter aucune atteinte a la sécurité de ce Canal et de ses derivations, dont le fonctionnement ne pourra etre l'objet d'aucune tentative d'obstruction.

ARTICLE III. Les Hautes Parties Contractantes s'engagent de meme a respecter le materiel, les e'tablissements, constructions, et travaux du Canal Maritime et du Canal d'Eau-Douce.

ARTICLE IV. Le Canal Maritime restant ouvert, en temps de guerre, comme passage libre, meme aux navires de guerre des belligerants, aux termes de l' Article 1er du present Traité, les Hautes Parties Contractantes conviennent qu'aucun droit de guerre, aucun acte d'hostilité ou aucun acte ayant pour but d'entraver la libre navigation du Canal ne pourra etre exerce' dans le Canal et ses ports d'acces, ainsi que dans un rayon de 3 milles marins de ces ports, alors meme que 1'Empire Ottoman serait l'une des Puissances belligérantes. Les bailments de guerre des belligerants ne pourront, dans le Canal et ses ports d'acces, se ravitailler ou s'approvisionner que dans la limite strictement nécessaire. Le transit des dits bati- ments par le Canal s'eflectuera dans le plus bref délai d'apres les Reglements en vigueur, et sans autre arret que celui qui résulterait des nécessites du service. Leur sejour a Port-Sa'id et dans la rade de Suez ne pourra dépasser vingt-quatre heures sauf le cas de relache forc^e. En pareil cas, ils seront tenus de partir le plus tot possible. Un intervalle de vingt-quatre heures devra toujours s'écouler entre la sortie d'un port d'acces d'un navire belligérant et le depart d'un navire appartenant a la Puissance ennemie. ARTICLE V. En temps de guerre, les Puissances bellige'rantes ne de'barque'r- ont et ne prendront dans le Canal et ses ports d'acces, ni troupes, ni munitions, ni materiel de guerre. Mais, dans le cas d'un empechement accidentel dans le Canal, on pourra embarquer ou debarquer, dans les ports d'acces, des troupes fractionne'es par groupes n'exce'dant pas 1,000 hommes avec le materiel de guerre correspondant.

ARTICLE VI.

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ARTICLE VII. Les Puissances ne maintiendront dans les eaux du Canal (y compris le Lac Timsah et les Lacs Amers) aucun bailment de guerre. Toutefois, dans les ports d'acces de Port-Said et de Suez, elles pourront faire stationner des batiments de guerre dont le nombre ne devra pas exce'der deux pour chaque Puissance. Ce droit ne pourra etre exerce' par les bellige"rants. ARTICLE VIII. Les Agents en Egypte des Puissances Signataires du present Trait^ seront charge's de veiller a son execution. En toute circonstance qui menacerait la se'curite' ou le libre passage du Canal, ils se reuniront sur la convocation de trois d'entre eux et sous la pre'sidence du doyen, pour proce'der aux constatations ne'cessaires. Ils feront connaitre au Gouvernement Khe'divial le danger qu'ils auraient reconnu afin que celui-ci prenne les mesures propres a assurer la protection et le libre usage du Canal. En tout e"tat de cause, ils se reuniront une fois par an pour constater la bonne execution du Traite". Ces dernieres reunions auront lieu sous la pre'sidence d'un Commissaire Special nomine" a cet effet par le Gouvernement Imperial Ottoman. Un Commissaire Khedivial pourra e'galement prendre part a la reunion et la pre"sider en cas d'absence du Commissaire Ottoman. Ils rdclameront notamment la suppression de tout ouvrage ou la dispersion de tout rassemblement qui, sur 1'une ou 1'autre rive du Canal, pourrait avoir pour but ou pour effet de porter atteinte a la liberte et a 1'entiere se'curite' de la navigation.

ARTICLE IX. Le Gouvernement Egyptien prendra dans la limite de ses pouvoirs tels qu'ils re"sultent des Firmans et dans les conditions prevues par le present Traite", les mesures ne'cessaires pour faire respecter 1'exe'cution du dit Traite". Dans le cas oil le Gouvernement Egyptien ne disposerait pas de moyens suffisants, il devra faire appel au Gouvernement Imperial Ottoman, lequel prendra les mesures ne'cessaires pour re'pondre a cet appel, en donnera avis aux autres Puissances Signataires de la Declaration de Londres du 17 Mars, 1885, et, au besoin, se concertera avec elles a ce sujet. Les prescriptions des Articles IV, V, VII, et VIII ne feront pas obstacle aux mesures qui seront prises en vertu du present Article. ARTICLE X.

Son Altesse le Khedive au nom de Sa Majest£ ImpeYiale De meme, les prescriptions des Articles IV, V, VII, et VIII ne feront pas obstacle aux mesures que Sa Majeste" le Sultan et

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Son Altesse le Khedive au nom de Sa Majest£ ImpeYiale et dans les limites des Firmans conce'de's seraient dans la necessitd de prendre pour assurer, par leurs propres forces, la defense de 1'Egypte, et le maintien de 1'ordre public. Dans le cas oil Sa Majestd Imperiale le Sultan ou Son Altesse le Khe'dive se trouverait dans le necessitd de se preValoir des exceptions prevues par le present Article les Puissances Signa- taires de la Declaration de Londres en seraient avisees par le Gouvernement Imperial Ottoman. 11 est egalement entendu que les prescriptions des quatre Articles dont il s'agit ne porteront en aucun cas obstacle aux mesures que le Gouvernement Imperial Ottoman croira n^cessaire de prendre pour assurer par ses propres forces la [defense de ses outres possessions situees sur la cote orientale de la Mer Rouge. ARTICLE XI. Les mesures qui seront prises dans les cas preVus par les Articles IX et X du present Traitd ne devront pas faire obstacle au libre usage du Canal. Dans ces memes cas, 1'drection de fortifications permanentes <>levees contrairement aux dispositions de 1'Article VIII demeure interdite. % ARTICLE XII. Les Hautes Parties Contractantes conviennent, par application du principe d'egalit£ en ce qui concerne le libre usage du Canal, principe qui forme 1'une des bases du present Traite', qu'aucune d'elles ne recherchera d'avantages territoriaux ou commerciaux, ni de privileges dans les arrangements internationaux qui pourront intervenir par rapport au Canal. Sont d'ailleurs reserves les droits de la Turquie comme Puissance territoriale. ARTICLE XIII. En dehors des obligations preVues expresse'ment par les clauses du present Traite', il n'est port£ aucune atteinte aux droits souverains de Sa Majest£ Impe'riale le Sultan et aux droits et immunites de Son Altesse le Khedive, tels qu'ils resultent des Firmans. ARTICLE XIV. Les Hautes Parties Contractantes conviennent que les engagements resultant du present Traitd ne seront pas limite's par la dure'e des Actes de Concession de la Compagnie Universelle du Canal du Suez. ARTICLE XV.

ARTICLE XVL Ix.-s Hautes Panics Contractantes s'cngagent a porter le ;.; Js<.-:-.t Traite i la connaissance des Etats qui ne I'ont pas signe, en ies invitant 1 y acceder. ARTICLE XVII. Lc present Traite sera ratifie et Ies ratifications en seront echangees i Constantinople dans un de'lai d'un mois ou plus tot •*: faire *e petit. En foi de y ont appose le sceau de leurs armes. Fait k Constantinople, le zcf jour du mois d'Octobre, de 1'an 1888. [ SIGNATURES.] SlGIfATCXES.] 13- CENTRAL AMERICAN SHIP CANAL TREATY BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND

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