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Finland Friendship, Commerce, and Consular Rights Treaty

FRIENDSHIP, COMMERCE, AND CONSULAR RIGHTS

Treaty and protocol signed at Washington February 13, 1934

Ratified by Finland April 27, 1934

Senate advice and consent to ratification June 15, 1934

Ratified by the President of the United States June 28, 1934

Ratifications exchanged at Washington July 11, 1934

Entered into force August 10, 1934

Proclaimed by the President of the United States August 10, 1934

Article IV modified by protocol of December 4, 1952 [1]

49 Stat. 2659; Treaty Series 868

TREATY

The United States of America and the Republic of Finland, desirous of strengthening the bond of peace which happily prevails between them, by arrangements designed to promote friendly intercourse between their territories through provisions responsive to the spiritual, cultural, economic and commercial aspirations of the peoples thereof, have resolved to conclude a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights and for that purpose have appointed as their plenipotentiaries:

The President of the United States of America,

Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the United States of America;

The President of the Republic of Finland,

Mr. L. Aström, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the

Republic of Finland to the United States of America,

Who, having communicated to each other their full powers found to be in due form, have agreed upon the following articles:

ARTICLE I

Nationals of each High Contracting Party who conform to the laws and regulations of the other Party, shall be permitted to enter, travel and reside in its territory for the purpose of carrying on trade between the two countries; also for other purposes in so far as entry, travel and residence is or may be permitted by local law.

The nationals of each of the High Contracting Parties within the territory of the other shall be permitted to engage in professional, scientific, religious, philanthropic, manufacturing and commercial work of every kind, to carry on every form of commercial activity, to own, erect or lease and occupy appropriate buildings and to lease lands for residential, scientific, religious, philanthropic, manufacturing, commercial and mortuary purposes, and generally to do anything incidental to or necessary for the enjoyment of any of the foregoing privileges, upon the same terms as nationals of the state of residence in so far as may be permitted by local law. In no case shall they be accorded less favorable treatment in respect of any of the aforesaid matters than nationals of the most favored nation. They shall be permitted in pursuance of any of the aforesaid activities to appoint representatives, agents, or employees of their choice, subject to the local laws in relation to the immigration of aliens.

The nationals of either High Contracting Party within the territory of the other shall not be subjected to the payment of any internal charges or taxes other or higher than those that are exacted of and paid by its nationals.

The nationals of each High Contracting Party shall enjoy freedom of access to the courts of justice of the other on conforming to the local laws, as well for the prosecution as for the defense of their rights, and in all degrees of jurisdiction established by law.

The nationals of each High Contracting Party shall receive within the territory of the other, upon submitting to conditions imposed upon its nationals, the most constant protection and security for their persons and property, and shall enjoy in this respect that degree of protection that is required by international law. Their property shall not be taken without due process of law and without payment of just compensation.

ARTICLE II

With respect to that form of protection granted by National, State or Provincial laws establishing civil liability for injuries or for death, and giving to relatives or heirs or dependents of an injured party a right of action or a pecuniary benefit, such relatives or heirs or dependents of the injured party, himself a national of either of the High Contracting Parties and injured within the territory of the other, shall regardless of their alienage or residence outside of the territory where the injury occurred, enjoy the same rights and privileges as are or may be granted to nationals, and under like conditions.

ARTICLE III

The dwellings, warehouses, manufactories, shops and other places of business, and all premises thereto appertaining of the nationals of each of the High Contracting Parties in the territory of the other, used for any purposes set forth in Article I, shall be respected. It shall not be allowable to make a domiciliary visit to, or search of any such buildings and premises, or there to examine and inspect books, papers or accounts, except under the conditions and in conformity with the forms prescribed by the laws, ordinances and regulations for nationals.

ARTICLE IV [2 ]

Where, on the death of any person holding real or other immovable property or interests therein within the territory of one High Contracting Party, such property or interests therein would, by the laws of the country or by a testamentary, disposition, descend or pass to a national of the other High Contracting Party, whether resident or non-resident, were he not disqualified by the laws of the country where such property or interests therein is or are situated, such national shall be allowed a term of three years in which to sell the same, this term to be reasonably prolonged if circumstances render it necessary, and withdraw the proceeds thereof, without restraint or interference, and exempt from any succession, probate or administrative duties or charges other than those which may be imposed in like cases upon the nationals of the country from which such proceeds may be drawn.

Nationals of either High Contracting Party may have full power to dispose of their personal property of every kind within the territory of the other, by testament, donation, or otherwise, and their heirs, legatees and donees, of whatsoever nationality, whether resident or non-resident, shall succeed to such personal property, and may take possession thereof, either by themselves or by others acting for them, and retain or dispose of the same at their pleasure subject to the payment of such duties or charges only as the nationals of the High Contracting Party within whose territory such property may be or belong shall be liable to pay in like cases.

ARTICLE V

The nationals of each of the High Contracting Parties may exercise liberty of conscience and freedom of worship within the territory of the other Party. They may, without annoyance or molestation of any kind by reason of their religious belief or otherwise, conduct services either within their own houses or within any appropriate buildings which they may be at liberty to erect and maintain in convenient situations, provided their teachings or practices are not contrary to public morals; and they may also be permitted to bury their dead according to their religious customs in suitable and convenient places established and maintained for the purpose, subject to the reasonable mortuary and sanitary laws and regulations of the place of burial.

ARTICLE VI

Between the territories of the High Contracting Parties there shall be freedom of commerce and navigation. The nationals of each of the High Contracting Parties, equally with those of the most favored nation, shall have liberty freely to come with their vessels and cargoes to all places, ports and waters of every kind within the territorial limits of the other which are or may be open to foreign commerce and navigation.

ARTICLE VII

Each of the High Contracting Parties binds itself unconditionally to impose no higher or other duties or charges, and no other conditions or prohibitions on the importation of any article, the growth, produce or manufacture of the territory of the other Party, from whatever place arriving, than are or shall be imposed on the importation of any like article, the growth, produce or manufacture of any other foreign country. Nor shall any such duties, charges or conditions affecting importations be made effective retroactively.

Each of the High Contracting Parties binds itself unconditionally to impose no higher or other duties or charges and no other conditions, restrictions or prohibitions on the exportation of any article to the territory of the other Party than are or shall be imposed on the exportation of any like article to any other foreign country.

Nothing in this Treaty shall be construed to restrict the right of either High Contracting Party to impose on such terms as it may see fit, and subject to the sole requirement that there shall be no arbitrary discrimination against the other Party as compared with any other foreign country where similar conditions prevail, prohibitions or restrictions designed to protect human, animal, or plant life and health, or regulations for the enforcement of police or revenue laws of the United States or of Finland relating to imports the importation, transportation, or sale of which is prohibited or restricted, nor shall anything in this Treaty be construed to restrict the measures applicable in either the United States or Finland to seeds of agricultural plants which, on account of their origin, are deemed not to thrive in the territory of the respective countries.

Neither High Contracting Party shall establish or maintain restrictions on imports from or exports to the territory of the other Party which are not applied to the import and export of any like article originating in or destined for any other country. Any withdrawal of an import or export restriction which is granted even temporarily by one of the Parties in favor of the articles of a third country shall be applied immediately and unconditionally to like articles originating in or destined for the other Contracting Party. In the event of rations or quotas being established for the importation or exportation of articles restricted or prohibited, each of the High Contracting Parties agrees to grant for the importation from or exportation to the territory of the other Party an equitable share in the allocation of the quantity of restricted goods which may be authorized for importation or exportation.

ARTICLE VIII

Merchandise the growth, produce or manufacture of either of the High Contracting Parties, after importation into the territory of the other Party, shall not be subjected to other or higher internal taxes or charges, or to other or higher charges in respect of warehousing or other facilities, than those payable under like circumstances and conditions on like articles of national origin.

ARTICLE IX

Any advantage of whatsoever kind which either High Contracting Party may extend to any article, the growth, produce or manufacture of any foreign country, whether such favored State shall have been accorded such treatment gratuitously or for compensation, shall simultaneously and unconditionally, without request and without compensation, be extended to the like article the growth, produce or manufacture of the other High Contracting Party, from whatever place arriving.

ARTICLE X

The stipulations of this treaty regarding the treatment to be accorded by each High Contracting Party to the commerce of the other do not extend:

(1) to the treatment which is accorded by the United States of America to the commerce of Cuba under the provisions of the Commercial Convention concluded by the United States and Cuba on December 11, 1902, [3] or any other commercial convention which hereafter may be concluded by the United States with Cuba; or to the commerce of the United States with the Panama Canal Zone or with any of the dependencies of the United States or the commerce of the dependencies of the United States with one another under existing or future laws;

(2) to the benefits which either High Contracting Party has accorded, or may accord, to its neighboring states in order to facilitate local traffic;

(3) to the treatment which Finland accords or may hereafter accord to the commerce of Estonia.

ARTICLE XI

There shall be complete freedom of transit through the territory including the territorial waters of each High Contracting Party on routes convenient for international transit to persons and goods coming from or going to, or passing through the territory of the other High Contracting Party, except in such persons as may be forbidden admission into its territory or goods of which the importation may be prohibited by law. Persons and goods in transit shall not be subject to any transit duty, or to any unnecessary delays or restrictions, or to any discrimination as regards charges, facilities, or any other matter.

Goods in transit must be entered at the proper custom house, but they shall be exempt from all customs and similar duties.

All charges imposed on persons and goods in transit shall be reasonable, having regard to the conditions of the traffic.

The provisions of this article do not apply to the Panama Canal or to waterways and canals which constitute international boundaries.

ARTICLE XII

All articles which are or may be legally imported from foreign countries into ports of the territory of the United States or are or may be legally exported therefrom in vessels of the United States may likewise be imported into those ports or exported therefrom in Finnish vessels without being liable to any other or higher duties or charges whatsoever than if such articles were imported or exported in vessels of the United States; and, reciprocally all articles which are or may he legally imported from foreign countries into the ports of the territory of Finland or are or may be legally exported therefrom in Finnish vessels may likewise be imported into those ports or exported therefrom in vessels of the United States without being liable to any other or higher duties or charges whatsoever than if such articles were imported or exported in Finnish vessels.

In the same manner there shall be perfect equality in relation to the flags of the two countries with regard to bounties, drawbacks, and other privileges of this nature of whatever denomination which may be allowed in the territory of each of the Contracting Parties, on goods imported or exported in national vessels so that such bounties, drawbacks and other privileges shall also and in like manner be allowed on goods imported or exported in vessels of the other country.

With respect to the amount and collection of duties or charges on imports and exports of every kind each of the High Contracting Parties binds itself to give to the vessels of the other the advantage of every favor, privilege or immunity which it shall have accorded to the vessels of a third State, whether such favored State shall have been accorded such treatment gratuitously or for compensation.

ARTICLE XIII

No duties of tonnage, harbor, pilotage, lighthouse, quarantine, or other similar or corresponding duties or charges of whatever denomination, levied in the name or for the profit of the Government, public functionaries, private individuals, corporations or establishments of any kind shall be imposed in the ports of the territory of either High Contracting Party upon the vessels of the other, which shall not equally, under the same conditions, be imposed on national vessels. Such equality of treatment shall apply reciprocally to the vessels of the two countries respectively from whatever place they may arrive and whatever may be their place of destination.

ARTICLE XIV

Merchant vessels and other privately owned vessels under the flag of either of the High Contracting Parties shall be permitted to discharge portions of cargoes at any port open to foreign commerce in the territory of the other High Contracting Party, and to proceed with the remaining portions of such cargoes to any other ports of the same territory open to foreign commerce, on the same terms as national vessels and without paying other or higher tonnage dues or port charges in such cases than would be paid by national vessels in like circumstances. They shall be permitted, on the same terms as national vessels, to load in like manner at different ports in the same voyage outward.

Exceptions, however, shall be made to the provisions of this Article and other provisions of this treaty in regard to

1) coasting trade (cabotage), respecting which the High Contracting Parties shall concede to each other the most-favored-nation treatment;

2) traffic in natural or artificial inland waterways, not ordinarily navigable by transoceanic vessels, provided, however, that in regard to such traffic each High Contracting Party will grant to the other most-favored-nation treatment; and provided further that such vessels of one of the High Contracting Parties as may be permitted to engage in traffic on inland waterways of the other, and the cargoes of such vessels, shall be subject to no other or higher charges than national vessels and their cargoes;

3) it is further understood that without modifying the stipulations of this Treaty, so far as the amount of pilotage fees is concerned, the United States agrees not to claim, under this Treaty, for American ships any special concessions in regard to the employment of Government pilots which the Finnish Government has granted or may grant to Finnish and Swedish ships on voyages between Finland and Sweden confined to the Baltic Sea and its bays north of 59 degrees north latitude, so long as such concessions are not extended to the vessels of any third country;

4) It is also understood that the United States will not claim, under this Treaty, any benefits which Finland has accorded, or may accord, to Russia in respect of fishing or sealing in its territorial waters in the Arctic Ocean.

ARTICLE XV

For the purposes of this treaty merchant vessels and other privately owned vessels under the flag of either of the High Contracting Parties and carrying the papers required by its national laws in proof of nationality shall be deemed to be the vessels of the Party whose flag is flown both within the territorial waters of the other High Contracting Party and on the high seas.

ARTICLE XVI

Limited liability and other corporations and associations, whether or not for pecuniary profit, which have been or may hereafter be organized in accordance with and under the laws, National, State or Provincial, of either High Contracting Party and maintain a central office within the territory thereof, shall have their juridical status recognized by the other High Contracting Party provided that they pursue no aims within its territory contrary to its laws. They shall enjoy free access to the courts of law and equity, on conforming to the laws regulating the matter, as well for the prosecution as for the defense of rights in all the degrees of jurisdiction established by law.

The right of such corporations and associations of either High Contracting Party so recognized by the other to establish themselves within its territory, establish branch offices and fulfill their functions therein shall depend upon, and be governed solely by, the consent of such party as expressed in its National, State or Provincial laws. If such consent be given on the condition of reciprocity the condition shall be deemed to relate to the provisions of the laws, National, State or Provincial under which the foreign corporation or association desiring to exercise such rights is organized.

ARTICLE XVII

The nationals of either High Contracting Party shall enjoy within the territory of the other, reciprocally and upon compliance with the conditions there imposed, such rights and privileges as have been or may hereafter be accorded the nationals of any other State with respect to the organization of and participation in limited liability and other corporations and associations, for pecuniary profit or otherwise, including the rights of promotion, incorporation, purchase and ownership and sale of shares and the holding of executive or official positions therein. In the exercise of the foregoing rights and with respect to the regulation or procedure concerning the organization or conduct of such corporations or associations, such nationals shall be subjected to no conditions less favorable than those which have been or may hereafter be imposed upon the nationals of the most favored nation. The rights of any of such corporations or associations as may be organized or controlled or participated in by the nationals of either High Contracting Party within the territory of the other to exercise any of their functions therein, shall be governed by the laws and regulations, National, State or Provincial, which are in force or may hereafter be established within the territory of the Party wherein they propose to engage in business.

The nationals of either High Contracting Party shall, moreover, enjoy within the territory of the other, reciprocally and upon compliance with the conditions there imposed, such rights and privileges as have been or may hereafter be accorded the nationals of any other State with respect to the mining of coal, phosphate, oil, oil shale, gas, and sodium on the public domain of the other. It is understood, however, that neither High Contracting Party shall be required by anything in this paragraph to grant any application for any such right or privilege if at the time such application is presented the granting of all similar applications shall have been suspended or discontinued.

ARTICLE XVIII

Commercial travelers representing manufacturers, merchants and traders domiciled in the territory of either High Contracting Party shall on their entry into and sojourn in the territory of the other Party and on their departure therefrom be accorded the most-favored-nation treatment in respect of customs and other privileges and of all charges and taxes of whatever denomination applicable to them or their samples.

Commercial travelers, for the purpose of this article, shall be understood to include representatives of commercial concerns who are traveling for the purpose of soliciting orders.

Either High Contracting Party may require, as a condition for granting the privileges mentioned in Paragraph 1 of this article, the presentation of an authentic document establishing the identity and authority of the commercial traveler. For this purpose any of the following documents, issued in the country where the commercial concern represented is domiciled, shall be accepted as satisfactory to the authorities of the country of destination:

a) a certificate issued by the official authority designated for the purpose;

b) a certificate issued by a Chamber of Commerce; or

c) a signed statement, issued by the concern or concerns represented, in which case it may be required to be certified by a consular officer of the country of destination.

ARTICLE XIX

Each of the High Contracting Parties agrees to receive from the other, consular officers in those of its ports, places and cities, where it may be convenient and which are open to consular representatives of any foreign country.

Consular officers of each of the High Contracting Parties shall, after entering upon their duties, enjoy reciprocally in the territory of the other all the rights, privileges, exemptions and immunities which are enjoyed by officers of the same grade of the most favored nation. As official agents, such officers shall be entitled to the high consideration of all officials, national or local, with whom they have official intercourse in the state which receives them.

The Government of each of the High Contracting Parties shall furnish free of charge the necessary exequatur of such consular officers of the other as present a regular commission signed by the chief executive of the appointing state and under its great seal; and they shall issue to a subordinate or substitute consular officer duly appointed by an accepted superior consular officer with the approbation of his Government, or by any other competent officer of that Government, such documents as according to the laws of the respective countries shall be requisite for the exercise by the appointee of the consular function. On the exhibition of an exequatur, or other document issued in lieu thereof to such subordinate, such consular officer shall be permitted to enter upon his duties and to enjoy the rights, privileges and immunities granted by this treaty.

ARTICLE XX

Consular officers, nationals of the state by which they are appointed, shall be exempt from arrest except when charged with the commission of offenses locally designated as crimes and subjecting the individual guilty thereof to punishment as a criminal. Such officers shall be exempt from military billetings and from service of any military or naval, administrative or police character whatsoever.

In criminal cases the attendance at the trial by a consular officer as a witness may be demanded by the prosecution or defense. The demand shall be made with all possible regard for the consular dignity and the duties of the office; and there shall be compliance on the part of the consular officer.

Consular officers shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in the state which receives them in civil cases, subject to the proviso, however, that when the officer is a national of the state which appoints him and is engaged in no private occupation for gain, his testimony shall be taken orally or in writing at his residence or office and with due regard for his convenience. The officer should, however, voluntarily give his testimony at the trial whenever it is possible to do so without serious interference with his official duties.

ARTICLE XXI

Consular officers, including employees in a consulate, nationals of the State by which they are appointed other than those engaged in private occupations for gain within the State where they exercise their functions shall be exempt from all taxes, National, State, Provincial and Municipal, levied upon their persons or upon their property, except taxes levied on account of the possession or ownership of immovable property situated in, or income derived from property of any kind situated or belonging within the territory of the State within which they exercise their functions All consular officers and employees, nationals of the State appointing them shall be exempt from the payment of taxes on the salary, fees or wages received by them in compensation for their consular services.

The Government of each High Contracting Party shall have the right to acquire and own land and buildings required for diplomatic or consular premises in the territory of the other High Contracting Party and also to erect buildings in such territory for the purposes stated to local building regulations.

Lands and buildings situated in the territory of either High Contracting Party, of which the other High Contracting Party is the legal or equitable owner, and which are used exclusively for governmental purposes by that owner, shall be exempt from taxation of every kind, National, State, Provincial and Municipal, other than assessments levied for services or local public improvements by which the premises are benefited.

ARTICLE XXII

Consular officers may place over the outer door of their respective offices the arms of their State with an appropriate inscription designating the official office. Such officers may also hoist the flag of their country on their offices including those situated in the capitals of the two countries. They may likewise hoist such flag over any boat or vessel employed in the exercise of the consular function.

The consular offices and archives shall at all times be inviolable. They shall under no circumstances be subjected to invasion by any authorities of any character within the country where such offices are located. Nor shall the authorities under any pretext make any examination or seizure of papers or other property deposited within a consular office. Consular offices shall not be used as places of asylum. No consular officer shall be required to produce official archives in court or testify as to their contents.

Upon the death, incapacity, or absence of a consular officer having no subordinate consular officer at his post, secretaries or chancellors, whose official character may have previously been made known to the government of the State where the consular function was exercised, may temporarily exercise the consular function of the deceased or incapacitated or absent consular officer; and while so acting shall enjoy all the rights, prerogatives and immunities granted to the incumbent.

ARTICLE XXIII

Consular officers, nationals of the State by which they are appointed, may, within their respective consular districts, address the authorities, National, State, Provincial or Municipal, for the purpose of protecting their countrymen in the enjoyment of their rights accruing by treaty or otherwise. Complaint may be made for the infraction of those rights. Failure upon the part of the proper authorities to grant redress or to accord protection may justify interposition through the diplomatic channel, and in the absence of a diplomatic representative, a consul general or the consular officer stationed at the capital may apply directly to the government of the country.

ARTICLE XXIV

Consular officers may, in pursuance of the laws of their own country, take, at any appropriate place within their respective districts, the depositions of any occupants of vessels of their own country, or of any national of, or of any person having permanent residence within the territory of, their own country. Such officers may draw up, attest, certify and authenticate unilateral acts, deeds and testamentary dispositions of their countrymen, and also contracts to which a countryman is a party. They may draw up, attest, certify and authenticate written instruments of any kind purporting to express or embody the conveyance or encumbrance of property of any kind within the territory of the State by which such officers are appointed, and unilateral acts, deeds, testamentary dispositions and contracts relating to property situated, or business to be transacted within, the territory of the State by which they are appointed, embracing unilateral acts, deeds, testamentary dispositions or agreements executed solely by nationals of the State within which such officers exercise their functions.

Instruments and documents thus executed and copies and translations thereof, when duly authenticated under his official seal by the consular officer shall be received as evidence in the territories of the contracting parties as original documents or authenticated copies, as the case may be, and shall have the same force and effect as if drawn by and executed before a notary or other public officer duly authorized in the country by which the consular officer was appointed; provided, always, that such documents shall have been drawn and executed in conformity to the laws and regulations of the country where they are designed to take effect.

ARTICLE XXV

A consular officer shall have exclusive jurisdiction over controversies arising out of the internal order of private vessels of his country, and shall alone exercise jurisdiction in cases, wherever arising, between officers and crews, pertaining to the enforcement of discipline on board, providing the vessels and the persons charged with wrongdoing shall have entered a port within his consular district. Such an officer shall also have jurisdiction over issues concerning the adjustment of wages and the execution of contracts relating thereto provided the local laws so permit.

When an act committed on board of a private vessel under the flag of the State by which the consular officer has been appointed and within the territorial waters of the State to which he has been appointed constitutes a crime according to the laws of that State, subjecting the person guilty thereof to punishment as a criminal, the consular officer shall not exercise jurisdiction except in so far as he is permitted to do so by the local law.

A consular officer may freely invoke the assistance of the local police authorities in any matter pertaining to the maintenance of internal order on board of a vessel under the flag of his country within the territorial waters of the State to which he is appointed, and upon such a request the requisite assistance shall be given.

A consular officer may appear with the officers and crews of vessels under the flag of his country before the judicial authorities of the State to which he is appointed to render assistance as an interpreter or agent.

ARTICLE XXVI

In case of the death of a national of either High Contracting Party in the territory of the other without having in the locality of his decease any known heirs or testamentary executors by him appointed, the competent local authorities shall at once inform the nearest consular officer of the State of which the deceased was a national of the fact of his death, in order that necessary information may be forwarded to the parties interested.

In case of the death of a national of either of the High Contracting Parties without will or testament, in the territory of the other High Contracting Party, the consular officer of the State of which the deceased was a national and within whose district the deceased made his home at the time of death, shall, so far as the laws of the country permit and pending the appointment of an administrator and until letters of administration have been granted, be deemed qualified to take charge of the property left by the decedent for the preservation and protection of the same. Such consular officer shall have the right to be appointed as administrator within the discretion of a tribunal or other agency controlling the administration of estates provided the laws of the place where the estate is administered so permit.

In case of the death of a national of either of the High Contracting Parties without will or testament and without any known heirs resident in the country of his decease, the consular officer of the country of which the deceased was a national shall be appointed administrator of the estate of the deceased, provided the regulations of his own Government permit such appointment and provided such appointment is not in conflict with local law and the tribunal having jurisdiction has no special reasons for appointing someone else.

Whenever a consular officer accepts the office of administrator of the estate of a deceased countryman, he subjects himself as such to the jurisdiction of the tribunal or other agency making the appointment for all necessary purposes to the same extent as a national of the country where he was appointed.

ARTICLE XXVII [4 ]

Each of the High Contracting Parties agrees to permit the entry free of all duty and without examination of any kind, of all furniture, equipment and supplies intended for official use in the consular offices of the other, and to extend to such consular officers of the other and their families and suites as are its nationals, the privilege of entry free of duty of their baggage and all other personal property, whether accompanying the officer to his post or imported at any time during his incumbency thereof; provided, nevertheless, that no article, the importation of which is prohibited by the law of either of the High Contracting Parties, may be brought into its territory.

It is understood, however, that this privilege shall not be extended to consular officers who are engaged in any private occupation for gain in the countries to which they are accredited, save with respect to governmental supplies.

ARTICLE XXVIII

All proceedings relative to the salvage of vessels of either High Contracting Party wrecked upon the coasts of the other shall be directed by the Consular Officer of the country to which the vessel belongs and within whose district the wreck may have occurred. Pending the arrival of such officer, who shall be immediately informed of the occurrence, the local authorities shall take all necessary measures for the protection of persons and the preservation of wrecked property. The local authorities shall not otherwise interfere than for the maintenance of order, the protection of the interests of the salvors, if these do not belong to the crews that have been wrecked, and to carry into effect the arrangements made for the entry and exportation of the merchandise saved. It is understood that such merchandise is not to be subjected to any custom house charges, unless it be intended for consumption in the country where the wreck may have taken place.

The intervention of the local authorities in these different cases shall occasion no expense of any kind, except such as may be caused by the operations of salvage and the preservation of the goods saved, together with such as would be incurred under similar circumstances by vessels of the nation.

ARTICLE XXIX

A consular officer of either High Contracting Party may in behalf of his non-resident countrymen, and without being required to produce his authorization, collect and receipt for their distributive shares derived from estates in process of probate or accruing under the provisions of so-called Workmen's Compensation Laws or other like statutes provided he remit any funds so received through the appropriate agencies of his Government to the proper distributees, and provided further that he furnish to the authority or agency making distribution through him reasonable evidence of such remission.

ARTICLE XXX

A consular officer of either High Contracting Party shall have the right to inspect within the ports of the other High Contracting Party within his consular district, the private vessels of any flag destined or about to clear for ports of the country appointing him in order to observe the sanitary conditions and measures taken on board such vessels, and to be enabled thereby to execute intelligently bills of health and other documents required by the laws of his country, and to inform his Government concerning the extent to which its sanitary regulations have been observed at ports of departure by vessels destined to its ports, with a view to facilitating entry of such vessels therein; provided however, that in respect of vessels of any country other than the High Contracting Parties, the Government concerned does not object.

ARTICLE XXXI

Except as otherwise provided in this treaty, the provisions thereof shall apply to all territories under the sovereignty and authority of each of the High Contracting Parties. It is understood, however, that they shall not apply to the Panama Canal Zone.

ARTICLE XXXII

The present Treaty shall be ratified and the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged at Washington. The Treaty shall take effect in all its provisions thirty days from the date of the exchange of ratifications and shall remain in full force for the term of one year thereafter.

If within six months before the expiration of the aforesaid period of one year neither High Contracting Party notifies to the other an intention of modifying by change or omission, any of the provisions of any of the Articles in this Treaty or of terminating it upon the expiration of the aforesaid period, the Treaty shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely after the aforesaid period subject always to termination on a notice of six months.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty and have affixed their seals thereto.

Done in duplicate, each in the English and Finnish languages, both authentic, at Washington, D.C., this thirteenth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-four.

CORDELL HULL [SEAL]

L. ASTRöM [SEAL]

PROTOCOL

At the moment of signing the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights between the United States of America and the Republic of Finland, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries duly authorized by their respective Governments have agreed as follows:

1) Wherever the term "consular officer" is used in this Treaty it shall be understood to mean Consuls General, Consuls, Vice Consuls and Consular Agents to whom an exequatur or other document of recognition has been issued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article XIX, provided however that the customs courtesies accorded to consular officers under Article XXVII shall apply to consular officers en route to their post for the first time, prior to the receipt of an exequatur.

2) Upon entering into force of the accompanying Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Consular Rights, the Agreement effected by exchange of notes between the United States and Finland, signed at Washington, D.C., on May 2, 1925, [5]and also the Agreement effected by exchange of notes between the United States and Finland, signed at Washington, D.C., on December 21, 1925, [ 6 ] shall cease to be operative.

In faith whereof the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Protocol and affixed thereto their respective seals.

Done in duplicate each in the English and Finnish languages, both authentic, at Washington, D.C., the thirteenth day of February, 1934.

CORDELL HULL [SEAL]

L. ASTRöM [SEAL]

Protocol between the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FINLAND

Modifying Treaty of February 13, 1934

o Signed at Washington December 4, 1952

o Ratification advised by the Senate of the United States of America July 21, 1953

o Ratified by the President of the United States of America August 4, 1953

o Ratified by Finland January 23, 1953

o Ratifications exchanged at Helsinki September 24, 1953

o Proclaimed by the President of the United States of America November 3, 1953

o Entered into force September 24, 1953

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS a protocol was signed at Washington on December 4, 1952 by the respective plenipotentiaries of the United States of America and the Republic of Finland modifying the treaty of friendship, commerce and consular rights between the United States of America and the Republic of Finland, signed at Washington on February 13, 1934, [7] the original of which protocol, in the English and Finnish languages, is word for word as follows:

PROTOCOL

The United States of America and the Republic of Finland, desiring to conclude a Protocol modifying the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights between the United States of America and the Republic of Finland, signed at Washington on February 13, 1934,

Have designated for this purpose as their respective Plenipotentiaries:

The President of the United States of America:

Dean Acheson, Secretary of State of the United States of America,

and

The President of the Republic of Finland:

Johan A. Nykopp, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland to the United States of America,

Who, having communicated to each other their full powers found to be in due form, have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

Article IV of the Treaty of February 13, 1964, is amended by deleting the second paragraph thereof and substituting therefore the following paragraph:

Nationals of either High Contracting Party shall be accorded within the territories of the other High Contracting Party treatment no less favorable than that now or hereafter accorded to nationals of such other High Contracting Party with respect to acquiring movable property of all kinds, both tangible and intangible, by testate or intestate succession. Should they because of their alienage be ineligible to own or possess any such property, they shall be allowed a reasonable period in which to dispose of their interest therein a normal matter at its market value; but in the case of ships and shares therein a specially limited period may be prescribed by law. They shall be protected in the legal equities of every kind which they may have or acquire in movable property and shall be entitled to the benefit of appropriate legal processes in order to realize the monetary value thereof.

ARTICLE II

This Protocol shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged at Helsinki as soon as possible.

ARTICLE III

This Protocol shall enter into force on the day of the exchange of instruments of ratification. It shall continue in force in accordance with Article XXXII of the Treaty of February 13, 1934 as though this Protocol were an integral part of that Treaty.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this Protocol and have affixed their seals thereto.

DONE at Washington in duplicate, in the English and Finnish languages, both authentic, this fourth day of December, 1952.

FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

AMERIKAN YHDYSVALTOJEN PUOLESTA:

DEAN ACHESON [SEAL]

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND:

SUOMEN TASAVALLAN PUOLESTA:

JOHAN NYKOPP [SEAL]

WHEREAS the Senate of the United States of America by their resolution of July 21, 1953, two-thirds of the Senators present concurring therein, did advise and consent to the ratification of the said protocol;

WHEREAS the said protocol was ratified by the President of the United States of America on August 4, 1953, in pursuance of the aforesaid advice and consent of the Senate, and was duly ratified on the part of the Republic of Finland;

WHEREAS the respective instruments of ratification of the said protocol were duly exchanged at Helsinki on September 24, 1953;

AND WHEREAS it is provided in Article III of the said protocol that the protocol shall enter into force on the day of the exchange of instruments of ratification;

Now, THEREFORE, be it known that I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim and make public the said protocol to the end that the same and each and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith on and after September 24, 1953, by the United States of America and by the citizens of the United States of America and all other persons subject to the jurisdiction thereof.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the city of Washington this third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred fifty three and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred seventy-eighth.

DWIGHT D EISENHOWER [SEAL]

By the President:

JOHN FOSTER DULLES

Secretary of State


FOOTNOTES

1 4 UST 2047; TIAS 2861.

2 For modification of art. IV, see protocol of Dec. 4, 1952 (4 UST 2047; TIAS 2861).

3 TS 427, ante, vol. 6, p. 1106, CUBA.

4 For an understanding relating to art. XX VII, see protocol, p. 732.

5 TS 715, ante, p. 701.

6 TS 731, ante,p. 709.

7 Treaty Series 868; 49 Stat. 2659.


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