THE MARITIME TANAL OF SUEZ. 



Article 2. — The High Contracting Parties, recognising that the Fresh-water 

 Channel is indispensable to the Maritime Canal, take note of the 

 engagements of His H^hness the Khedive, towards the " Com- 

 pagnie Universelle du Canal de Suez," as regards the Fresh-water 

 Canal, which engagements are stipulated in a Convention bearing 

 date i8th March, 1883, 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 3. — 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 4. — 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 in the 

 Canal, shall be committed in the Canal and its Ports of access, as 

 well as within a radius of three 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 with the least possible delay, in accord- 

 ance with the regulations in force, and without any other inter- 

 mission than that resulting from the necessities of the Service. 



Their stay in 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 5.— In time of War belligerent Powers shall not disembark nor embark 

 within the Canal and its Ports of access either troops, muni- 

 tions, 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 corre- 

 sponding amount of War material. 



Article 6. — Prizes shall be subjected in all respects to the same rules as the 

 vessels of War of belligerents. 



Article 7. — 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, Port Said and Suez, the number of which shall not exceed 

 tws for each Power. 



This right shall not be executed by the belligerents. 



