Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 23.djvu/740

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712 CONSULAR CONV’ENTION—ROUMANIA. J Um: {T, 1881. exercise of their functions and the enjoyment of the immunitiesthereto pertaining, shall present their commissions in the forms established in their respective countries. The government of each of the two high contracting powers shall furnish them the necessary exequatur free of charge, and, on the exhibition of this instrument they shall be permitted to enjoy the rights, privileges and immunities granted by this convention. Aurrcnn III. Exemption o t Consuls-general. consuls, vice-eonsuls and consular agents, citizens °°°°“1f’· &°·v f'°m of the State by which they are appointed, shall be exempt irom pre- °"°" ’ "'x°°‘ liminary arrest except in the case of odenees which the local legislation qualifies as crimes and punishes as such; they shall be exempt from military billetings, from service in the regular army or navy, in the militia, or in the national guard; they shall likewise be exempt from all direct taxes, national, state or municipal, imposed upon persons. either in the nature of capitation tax or in respect to their property, unless such taxes become due on account of the possession of real estate, or for interest on capital invested in the country where the said officers exercise their functions. . Exemption not This exemption shall not, however, apply to consuls-general, consuls,

  • ° •PPlY m °°’**'¤ vice-consuls, or consular agents engaged in any profession, business or

°"°" trade, but the said otllcers shall in such case be subject to the payment of the same taxes that would be paid by any other foreigner under the like circumstances. It is understood that the respective consuls, if they are merchants, shall be entirely submitted, as tar as concerns preliminary arrest for commercial acts, to the legislation of the country in which they exercise their functions. I Anrrcrn IV. _ Testimony of When a court of one of the two countries shall desire to receive the g•¤l¤»h°' *° l’° judicial declaration or deposition of a consul-general, consul, vice-consul °“‘ ‘ or consular agent, who is a citizen of the State which appointed him, and who is engaged in no commercial business, it shall request him, in writing, to appear before it, and in case of his inability to do so, it shall request him to give his testimony in writing, or shall visit his residence or office to obtain it orally. It shall be the duty of such oillcer to comply with this request with as little delay as possible. Testimony in In all criminal cases, contemplated by the sixth article of the amend- °'*”'¤*l°*•¤· ments to the Constitution of the United States, whereby the right is _ secured to persons charged with crimes to obtain witnesses in their ihvor, the appearance in court of said consular officer shall be demanded, with all possible regard to the consular dignity and to the duties of his office. A similar treatment shall also be extended to the consuls of the United States in Roumania in the like cases. Anrrcnn V. Signs and usgs. Consuls-general, consuls, vice-consuls and consular agents may place . over the outer door of their omces the arms of their nation, with this inscription: Consulate-General, or Consulate, or Vice-Consulate or Consular Agency of the United States, or of Roumania. _ They may also raise the flag of their country on their otllces, except in the capital of the country when there is a legatiou there. They may in like manner, raise the nag of their counx over the boat employed by them in the port lov the exercise of their notions.