THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 28TH AUGUST, 1886.
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They shall have entire liberty to bury their dead, in accordance with the religious ceremonies practised in their country, in the sepulchres and cemeteries already established, or which may be here- after established and appointed for that purpose, and the sepulchres of the dead, in conformity with the old and existing practice, shall not be profaned in any wise nor upon any account; subjecting themselves, however, with regard to the places of burial, to the laws for the preservation of public health which are or may be in vigour in the Equator.
ARTICLE XVII.
The subjects and citizens of each of the two High Contracting Parties in the dominions and possessions of the other shall be exempted from all compulsory military service whatever, whether in the army, navy, or national guard, or militia. They shall be equally exempted from all judicial and Municipal charges and functions whatever, as well as from all contributions, whether pecuniary or in kind, imposed as a compensation for personal service; and, finally, from forced loans and military exactions or requisitions.
In regard, however, to judicial and municipal charges and functions, those shall be excepted which are consequent upon the possession of real property or of a lease; and in regard to military exactions and requisitions, those which all subjects of the country are or shall be liable to as landed proprietors, or as farmers, or as tenants or occupiers of public-houses, or houses of a similar character.
ARTICLE XVIII.
The subjects and citizens of each of the two Contracting Parties in the dominions and possessions of the other shall be at full liberty to acquire, possess, and dispose of every description of property which the laws of the country may permit any foreigners, of whatsoever nation, to acquire and possess. They may acquire and dispose of the same, whether by purchase, sale, donation, exchange, marriage, testament, succession ab intestato, or in any other manner, under the same conditions as are established by the laws of the country for all foreigners. Their heirs and representatives may suceeed to and take possession of such property, either in person or by agents acting on their behalf, in the same manner and in the same legal forms as subjects or citizens of the country. In the absence of heirs and repre- sentatives the property shall be treated in the same manner as the like property belonging to a subject of the country under similar circumstances.
In none of these respects shall they pay upon the value of such property any other or higher impost, duty, or charge, than is payable by subjects of the country. In every case the subjects and citizens of the Contracting Parties shall be permitted to export their property, or the proceeds thereof if sold, freely, and without being subjected on such exportation to pay any duty as foreigners, or any other or higher duties than those to which subjects of the country are liable under similar circumstances. If any subject or citizen of either of the two High Contracting Parties shall die without will or testament in any of the territories, dominions, or settlements of the other, the Consul-General or Consul of the nation to which the deceased belonged, or the representative of such Consul-General or Consul, in his absence, shall have the right to nominate curators to take charge of the property of deceased, so far as the laws of the country will permit, for the benefit of the lawful heirs and creditors of the deceased; giving proper notice of such nomination to the authorities of the country.
ARTICLE XIX.
The dwellings, manufactories, warehouses, and shops of the subjects and citizens of each of the two High Contracting Parties in the dominions and possessions of the other, and all premises appertain- ing thereto, destined for purposes of residence or commerce, shall be respected. If there should be occasion to make a search of, or a domiciliary visit to, such dwellings and premises, or to examine or inspect books, papers, or accounts, such measure shall be executed only in conformity with the legal warrant or order, in writing, of a Tribunal, or of the competent authority.
The subjects and citizens of each of the two Contracting Parties in the dominions and possessions of the other shall have free access to the Courts of Justice for the prosecution and defence of their rights. They shall enjoy, in this respect, the same rights and privileges as subjects or citizens of the country, and shall, like them, be at liberty to employ, in all causes, their advocates, attorneys, or agents from among the persons admitted to the exercise of those professions, according to the laws of the country.
ARTICLE XX.
Any ship of war or merchant-vessel of either of the High Contracting Parties which may be com- pelled by stress of weather or by accident to take shelter in a port of the other, shall be at liberty to refit therein, to procure all necessary stores, and to put to sea again, without paying any dues other than such as would be payable in a similar case by a national ve el. In case, however, the master of a merchant-vessel should be under the necessity of disposing of a part of his merchandize, in order to defray his expenses, he shall be bound to conform to the regulations and tariffs of the place to which he may
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