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No. 598.-PROTOCOLS OF CONFERENCES between the Representatives* of Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Turkey, with reference to the execution of Articles LIV and LV of the Treaty of Berlin (No. 530), relative to the Navigation of the Danube. London, 8th February-10th March, 1883.

PROTOCOL.

ANALYSIS OF PROTOCOLS.

No. 1. Earl Granville elected President. Mr. J. A. Crowe to be Secretary. Musurus Pasha not present at sitting as he had not received his full powers. Proposal by Earl Granville that Conference should meet again on 10th February, agreed to.

London, 8th February, 1883.

No. 2. Deliberations to be secret. Observations by Russian Plenipotentiary as to the order in which the three questionst before the Conference should be dealt with. Russian demand that the original order be maintained and that the discussion of Article LIV of the Treaty should precede that of Article LV. After observations by other Plenipotentiaries, Baron Mohrenheim states that if it be admitted that the declarations which may be made on the subject of Article LV are provisional, and subject to be revoked in the event of an understanding not being

The three questions were :

1. The extension of the powers of the Commission to Ibraïla ;

2. The confirmation of the Regulations drawn up in virtue of Article LV

of the Berlin Treaty;

3. The prolongation of the powers of the European Commission.

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PROTOCOL.

arrived at with regard to Article LIV, he will be content with the reservation. Protocol of last sitting adopted. Despatch read in which the Envoy of Roumania claims the right of his Government to be represented on the Conference (Annex). Lord Granville advocates the admission of Roumania on the same

footing as the Great Powers. German objection, and proposal to the effect that Roumania be admitted only as a guest. Majority in agreement with German Plenipotentiary, who is requested to draw up his proposal in the form of an amendment. Servia to be admitted on the same footing as Roumania. With regard to Bulgaria, the Turkish Plenipotentiary is to receive and bring before the Conference all the demands of the Principality. Count Münster's amendment read and accepted. Roumanian and Servian Plenipotentiaries, Prince Ghien and M. Marinovitch, are admitted. Prince Ghien states that his instructions are only applicable in the case of his being admitted to the Conference with deliberative voice, and he begs that the decision arrived at may be communicated in writing in order that it may be forwarded to his Government. M. Marinovitch expresses himself in the same sense. Extension of the powers of the Commission to Ibraïla accepted by the Conference subject to the condition that the prolongation of the Commission is finally accepted. With regard to the Regulations drawn up by the European Commission for the section of the Danube between the Iron Gates and Galatz, the Austrian Plenipotentiary states that he has to accept the Regulations, but draws the attention of the Conference to two principal points, viz., the participation of Austria-Hungary in the Mixed Commission, and the executive character of the said Commission. The other Plenipotentiaries accept the Regulations. Austrian modifications to be discussed at a later sitting. London, 10th February, 1883. No. 3. On the question of the adhesion to the Regulations being again brought forward, in reply to a question by Baron Mohrenheim, the Turkish Plenipotentiary states that his adhesion is subject to the maintenance of the reservations made by his Government when signing the Regulation of Galatz. Protocol of last sitting adopted. M. Marinovitch states that his Government has authorized him to accept the position assigned to him by the Conference. Note read from Roumanian Representative to the effect that he can take no part in the Conference (Annex). Discussion as to maintenance of decision with regard to Roumania. Italian Plenipotentiary explains that the reason. for excluding Roumania consists in the fact that the Conference considers itself a continuation of the Congress of Berlin in which Roumania did not take part as Signatory. Conferenceagrees to inform Roumania of the motives of its decision..

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PROTOCOL.

Draft of a declaration read by Austrian Plenipotentiary recording the agreement of the Conference to the Regulations. Discussion as to use of word "exécutoire." Text of collective declaration finally adopting the Regulations drawn up and signed. Bulgarian note read (Annex). Conference agree that there is no reason to change the decision with regard to the Principality. Austrian Plenipotentiary communicates the concessions which his Government are prepared to make.

London, 13th February, 1883.

No. 4. Servian Minister states that his Government hold to their assent already given to the Regulations. Communication from Bulgarian Delegates to the effect that their Government is unable to accept the position accorded to them (Annex). Roumanian and Bulgarian Delegates to be informed that the communication of the Protocols of the Conference was made on the condition of the most absolute secrecy. Servian Minister makes a request that his Government should have a permanent seat on the European Commission. After a discussion, in which the majority of Plenipotentiaries are opposed to Servian request, the Conference decide not to accede to it. Discussion on the question of the European Commission. Conference unanimously in favour of the prolongation cf its powers, but the Russian Plenipotentiary intimates that, in consequence of the changed state of things in the countries of the Lower Danube, certain modifications in regard to the Kilia Branch have become necessary. Discussion of proposals adjourned. London, 20th February, 1883. No. 5. Discussion of proposals made by Russian Plenipotentiary at last meeting. Earl Granville communicates the modifications to which the British Government would consent, as follows::

(1) Commission not to exercise control over those portions of Kilia Branch of which both banks belong to one State.

(2) Regulations in force on Soulina Branch to be applied to mixed part of Kilia Branch.

(3) Agents of Commission to circulate freely in Kilia Branch.

(4) Plans of works on Kilia Branch undertaken by Russia to be communicated to Commission. Works at Tchatal of Ismaïl to remain under the control of Commission.

(5) Regulations as to tolls levied by Russia also to be communicated to Commission.

(6) Differences of opinion between Russian authorities and European Commission to be submitted to the Powers.

(7) Treaties, &c., relating to the Danube maintained except where abrogated or modified by above stipulations. Russian Plenipotentiary accepts Article 1; he also accepts Article 2 on the understanding that the Soulina Regulations

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are to be taken only as a basis for those for the Kilia Branch; Article 3 is accepted without debate; Article 4 altered so as to embrace works undertaken by Roumania; Article 5 accepted by Baron Mohrenheim subject to approval by his Government. Text of propositions adopted excepting reservations of Russian Plenipotentiary. London, 21th February, 1883. No. 6. Russian Plenipotentiary, replying to Earl Granville, regrets that he has not yet received final instructions from his Government respecting questions reserved at last sitting; he however confirms the Articles voted, except Article 5 which remains reserved. In connection with Article 7 the Turkish Plenipotentiary requests that it may be placed on record that Articles XI and LII of the Treaty of Berlin respecting the demolition of fortresses are maintained. Earl Granville states that Article LII of the Berlin Treaty is included in the Treaties, &c., mentioned in Article 7 of the propositions voted by the Conference. Protocol of last sitting adopted. Question of prolongation of powers of European Commission. British Plenipotentiary expresses himself in favour of giving the Commission a character of absolute permanency, but as this would not obtain a unanimous vote it is agreed that the powers shall be prolonged for a term of 21 years, with a clause of tacit prolongation. London, 1st March, 1883. No. 7. Russian Plenipotentiary presents a new draft of Articles 4 and 5, viz. :

Art. 4. Addition as follows: Differences of opinion between Russian or Roumanian authorities and European Commission respecting works to be undertaken in the Kilia Branch to be submitted to the Powers direct.

Art. 5. No restriction in the matter of tolls to be placed upon Russia. Russia will however put the Governments represented in the European Commission in possession of the Regulations respecting the tolls introduced by her.

German, Austrian, French, Italian, and Turkish Plenipotentiaries accept draft. British Plenipotentiary obtains from Russian Plenipotentiary a declaration that an agreement will be necessary among the Powers before the system of tolls can come into force. Further amendment of Article 4 to the effect that differences of opinion in the Commission respecting extension of works at Tchatal of Ismail to be submitted to the Powers direct. Article 3 of proposals need not be inserted in Treaty, but is inserted in present Protocol as follows: "It is understood that the Agents of the European Commission may, for their information, visit the whole of the Kilia Branch and its mouths." Extension of powers of Commission to Ibraïla to form a special Article in the Treaty. Conference agree that the nomination of the Bulgarian Delegate on the Mixed Commission shall be

PROTOCOL.

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submitted for the approval of the Sublime Porte. Duration of Mixed Commission to be the same as that of European Commission. Sub-Inspectors to be appointed and paid by Riverain States. Jurisdiction of Consuls over vessels of their country not to be restrained by Clauses 13 to 16 and 43 to 45 of the Regulations. British Plenipotentiary to call upon Riverain States for their adhesion to decisions of Conference.

London, 7th March, 1883. No. 8. Russian Plenipotentiary raises a question as to connection between the European and Mixed Commissions. British Plenipotentiary understands that the prolongation of the European Commission is not dependent upon the modifications which may be made in the Mixed Commission. Protocol of last sitting adopted. Recognition of services of President. Thanks to Secretary. Conference cannot accede to request of Servian Minister to be allowed to sign the Protocols. Treaty signed and sealed London, 10th March, 1883.

(No. 599).