that the privileges mentioned in Art. 5 of the Portal Convr with France Sep. 24. 1856 should be
long
Extended to its vessels, so
the French Convr shall remain
in force
It is right; however, to add
that both the French Belgian
Conventions may
at any
time, owing
to
the
difficulties which I have pointed
out & to the fact that,
the
Brit. Mail Steamers on the lines to India, China & Australia
only touch at British posts,
they practically derive no benefit from the Art. in question, while the other Provisions of the Conventions have for the most part been abrogated by the Postal Union
Treaty
171
Treaty of Berne of Oct. 9. 1874 & the Convention of Paris (the Universal Postal Union) of June 1. 1878.
(D) Rosebery,