opinion that the right of the European Powers to give advice on the affairs of Egypt cannot be denied, and that this can be done without contravention of the rights of the Sultan. Ottoman Plenipotentiary maintains that no modification with regard to the finances, administration, or integrity of Egypt can be made without the consent of the Sublime Porte. No agreement amongst the Powers is valid without the consent of the Sublime Porte. Porte reserves to itself full liberty of action as regards the Suez Canal and the neutralization of Egypt referred to by the French Plenipotentiary. Count Károlyi states that his Government recognize the rights of the Porte which result from the Treaties and Firmans respecting Egypt. Italian, German, and Russian Plenipotentiaries adhere to declaration of their Austrian colleague. Earl Granville desires to maintain all the promises made to the Sultan by Her Majesty's Government, and M. Waddington expresses himself in the same sense. Amendments to English and French proposals to be discussed. Sitting suspended for an hour. Mr. Childers explains the second English proposal, which could be put into execution without touching the Law of Liquidation, and, after discussion, the French Plenipotentiary accepts it ad referendum. French Plenipotentiary thinks it desirable to come to a decision upon the question of the Indemnities. Commission has recognized the necessity of paying these Indemnities. Mr. Childers declares the impossibility of discussing the question separately. German Plenipotentiary raises the Egyptian Sanitary Question. President declares the subject to be beyond the scope of the Conference.

London, 28th July, 1884.

No. 5. Financial Advisers present. Italian Government is of opinion that the reduction of interest should not exceed per cent. Mr. Childers is of opinion that a favourable answer might be returned on this point. Text of British proposal read. In the absence of instructions the Plenipotentiaries cannot give an opinion on the scheme. Note drawn up by M. de Blignières in reply to Note of Sir E. Baring (Annex) laid before Commission. Russian Plenipotentiary asks for the admission of a Russian Delegate on the Commission of the Public Debt in Egypt. President cannot reply until the request has been examined. Ottoman Plenipotentiary also expresses the wish of his Government to be represented on the Commission. The Sublime Porte claims a share in the international supervision of the finances of Egypt, not as a creditor but as the Sovereign of an indebted country. German Plenipotentiary considers that if a Russian Commissioner were admitted his Government should also be represented. (Annex.) Sir E. Baring's Note respecting Memorandum of M. de Blignières. London, 29th July, 1884.

No. 6. Financial Advisers present. French Plenipotentiary not yet in possession of instructions to reply to English proposals. In

reply to Italian Plenipotentiary the President states that after three years a fresh Conference will be convened for a rearrangement of the question. Mr. Childers states that the bonds to be given to those who have been awarded Indemnities would be paid at once, and at their nominal value. Sir E. Baring, considering it useless to prolong the discussion of points upon which agreement is impossible, refrains from replying to the observations contained in M. de Blignières' Note presented to the Conference at the last sitting. German Plenipotentiary returns to the Sanitary Question, and states that his Government does not concur in the views of the President. President regrets his inability to alter his view. Austrian, French, and Italian Plenipotentiaries support their German colleague. President reads the terms of the invitation to the Conference, and maintains that the limits laid down cannot be overstepped. Turkish Plenipotentiary expresses his agreement with the President. President points out that it is solely as a matter of form that he has insisted on excluding the question, and expresses his readiness to examine any proposals, either directly with the Governments concerned or in another Conference.

London, 31st July, 1884.

No. 7. Financial advisers present. M. Waddington presents modifications of last English proposal. President states that the final French proposal has received his most careful consideration, but that he must declare that it has not been possible to find, at this Conference, a basis for the settlement of Egyptian finance. Upon the question of adjournment, the French Plenipotentiary suggests that the Conference should be adjourned till 20th October, but the President proposes an indefinite adjournment. Italian Plenipotentiary declares that with regard to future action his Government does not consider itself bound by the opinions expressed in its name in the Conference. French Plenipotentiary insists upon his proposal respecting the adjournment being put to the vote. The other Plenipotentiaries express their willingness to accept the date if all the Governments were agreed, but the President repeats that he cannot consent to a fixed adjournment. Russian Plenipotentiary calls attention to his proposal with regard to the Commission of the Debt, but the President, in view of the decision to adjourn, cannot reopen the discussion. M. Waddington wishes to make a proposal for the settlement of the Indemnities. On the President maintaining that the question cannot be discussed, the French Plenipotentiary enters a protest, and lays his proposal (Annex) on the table. Conference adjourned sine die. London, 2nd August, 1884.

ARRANGEMENT between France and Switzerland, modifying the Convention of 28th December, 1880, respecting Frontier Fisheries. 9th December, 1884.

[Abrogated by Arrangement of 14th April, 1888, see p. 3280.]

DECLARATION of the Powers assembled in Conference at Berlin, applying the General Principles of the Congress of Vienna of 1815, relative to the Free Navigation of Rivers (No. 11), to the Rivers Congo and Niger and their Affluents. 26th February, 1885.*

(Translation.)

Preamble.

The Plenipotentiaries, being provided with full powers, which have been found in good and due form, have successively discussed and adopted :

*

*

Congo.

**

*

4. An Act of Navigation for the Congo, which, while having regard to local circumstances, extends to this river, its affluents, and the waters in its system (" eaux qui leur sont assimilées"), the general principles enunciated in Articles CVIII and CXVI of the Final Act of the Congress of Vienna (No. 11), and intended to regulate, as between the Signatory Powers of that Act, the free navigation of the waterways separating or traversing several States, these said principles having since then been applied by agreement to certain rivers of Europe and America, but especially to the Danube, with the modifications stipulated by the Treaties of Paris (1856, No. 264), of Berlin (1878, No. 530), and of London (1871, No. 439, and 1883, No. 599).

Niger.

5. An Act of Navigation for the Niger, which, while likewise having regard to local circumstances, extends to this river and its affluents the same principles as set forth in Articles For a complete copy of the General Act of the Conference of Berlin, see Parliamentary Paper, "Africa, No. 3 (1886)."

CVIII and CXVI of the Final Act of the Congress of Vienna (No. 11).

[A Portuguese Decree, granting to the vessels of all nations the free navigation of the Zambesi and Shiré, in so far as they were under the sovereignty, protectorate, or influence of Portugal, was (in accordance with the modus vivendi of 14th November, 1890) issued from Lisbon on the 18th November, 1890, see Parliamentary Paper, "Africa, No. 2, 1890-91."]

DECLARATION of the Powers assembled in Conference at Berlin on the Affairs of Africa, relative to the Suppression of the Slave Trade by Land and Sea. 26th February, 1885.*

CHAPTER II.-Declaration relative to the Slave Trade.

(Translation.)

ART. IX. Seeing that trading in slaves is forbidden in conformity with the principles of international law as recognised by the Signatory Powers, and seeing also that the operations which, by sea or land, furnish slaves to trade, ought likewise to be regarded as forbidden, the Powers which do or shall exercise sovereign rights or influence in the territories forming the Conventional basin of the Congo, declare that these territories may not serve as a market or means of transit for the trade in slaves, of whatever race they may be. Each of the Powers binds itself to employ all the means at its disposal for putting an end to this trade, and for punishing those who engage in it.

CONVENTION AND DECLARATION between the Governments of Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Turkey, relative to the Finances of Egypt and the Free Navigation of the Suez Canal. Signed at London, 18th and 27th March, 1885.

[See "Hertslet's Treaties," vol. xvii, pp. 349, 352.]

*For a complete copy of the General Act of the Conference of Berlin, see Parliamentary Papers, “ Africa, No. 3 (1886).”

SWISS NOTE, declaring that the proposed Additional Articles to the Geneva Convention of 22nd August, 1864, relative to the treatment of the Sick and Wounded in Armies in the Field, do not form an integral part of that Convention. Berne, 12th May, 1885.

ON the 22nd August, 1864, a Convention was concluded at Geneva between various foreign Powers relative to the treatment of sick and wounded in time of war (No. 365).

Great Britain acceded to this Convention on the 18th February, 1865 (No. 368).

On the 20th October, 1868, certain Articles additional to this Convention were drawn up at a Conference held at Geneva, and were signed, under the reserve of the approval of their respective Governments, by the Representatives of North Germany, Austria, Baden, Bavaria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and Würtemberg (No. 413).

Neutrality of Hospital-ships.

These Articles being referred for the approval of the various Governments, some modification in Article IX, concerning the capture of hospital-ships, was suggested by France and agreed to by Great Britain; and the Governments of France and Great Britain mutually agreed as to the interpretation to be given to Article X, respecting the neutrality of hospitalships.

This modification of Article IX and interpretation of Article X is believed to have been accepted by the other Powers with the exception of Germany.

Flags for Hospital-ships.

Russia subsequently proposed that a new paragraph should be substituted for the second paragraph of Article XII, relative to flags for hospital-ships; and in this Great Britain eventually signified her concurrence, and it is believed that France and Italy did so also.

The proposed Additional Articles were provisionally accepted, in July, 1870, by France and Germany, and acted upon, it is believed, during the War of 1870, 1871.