BELGIUM.


55


  The conditions of the previous authorization;
  The cases in which the authorization granted may be withdrawn;
  The amount of security to be futbrshed and the.mafnner of furnishing it;
  The method of inspection and of survey of everything relating to emigration;
  The management and provisioning of vessels;
  The amount of space to be- reserved for passengers, their reception on
board, and
their departure;
  The obligations of agencieswhich have been duly authorized, as likewise
those of
the captain during the voyage;
  The conditions of the insurance-bond, or the amount of the deposit which
may re-
place it ;
  The manner of examining vessels before their departure, which examination
shall be
substituted, in the case of Belgian vessels, for that which is provided by
the commercial
code;
  The manner of delivering the certificate showing that the provisions of
the laws and
regulations have been complied with;
  And, in general,, everything relating to the police of emigration.
  ART. 5. Any emigrant who maybe prevented from sailing by reason of a severe
or
contagious disease, of which he can furnish proper proof, shall be entitled
to have the
amount paid for his passage returned.
  The passage-money shall likewise be returned to the members of his family
in a
direct line indefinitely, and in a collateral line to the third degree inclusive,
who remain
on shore with him.
  ART. 6. If the vessel shall not leave the port on the day fixed by the
contract, the
responsible agency shall be required to pay to each emigrant, for each day's
delay, for
expenses on shore, an indemnity, the amount of which shall be fixed by the
govern-
mental regulation.
  If the delay shall exceed ten days, and if, during the interval, the agency
shall not
have provided for the departure of the emigrant by another vessel, and according
to
the terms of the contract, the emigrant shall be at liberty to repudiate
the contract
by a simple declaration before the maritime commissioner, and the passage-money
shall
be returned to him. This shall not affect the amount which may be allowed
to him
as damages.'
  Nevertheless, if the delays shall be caused by vis major, and if this shall
be proved
before the maritime commissioner, the emigrant shall not be at liberty to
repudiate the
contract, nor to claim the indemnity for his detention on shore, the return
of the pass-
age-money, or the damages, provided that he shall have been boarded and lodged
at
the expense of the agency.
  Any stipulation contrary to the provisions of the foregoing, and of the
present article,
is hereby declared null and void.
  ART. 7. The shipper shall be responsible for the conveyance of the emigrant
to the
place of destination fixed by the contract.
  The conveyance shall be direct, save in the case of stipulations to the
contrary.
  In case of the vessel's making a stay in any port, either voluntarily or
of necessity,
the emigrants shall be fed and lodged on board, at the expense of the vessel,
during the
whole of such stay, or they shall be re-imbursed for their expenses on shore.
  In case of shipwreck, or of any other accident at sea, which may prevent
the vessel
from continuing on its course, the shipper shall be required to provide,
at his own ex-
pense, for the conveyance of the emigrant to the place of destination mentioned
in the
contract.
  ART. 8. In case emigration-agencies shall not have fulfilled their engagements
with
  emigrants, the minister of foreign affairs, or such officer as shall be
designated by hinm,
shall proceed to fix the amount of the indemnities and to cause payment thereof
to be
made; but an appeal may be made, in case of dispute, to the courts.
  ART. 9. Any infraction of the provisions of articles 1 and 3 of this law
shall be pun-
ishable by a fine of from 50 to 5,000 francs.
  Any infraction of the provisions of the governmental regulation which is
to be made
in pursuance of this law, shall be punishable by a fine of from 26 to 500
francs.
  In case of a second offense, the maximum amount of the fine may be doubled.
  In case of extenuating circumstancis, the fine may be reduced to less than
26 francs ;
but it shall in no case be less than the police fine.
  ART. 10. Evidence regarding violations of this law may be taken in Belgium
by
maritime commissioners, and in default thereof, by any police justice; in
foreign ports
on board of Belgian vessels, by consuls, assisted by experts if necessary.
  Official reports of proceedings shall be considered as evidence until the
contrary shall
have been proved.
  Done at Brussels June 20, 1873.
                                                                   LEOPOLD.
  By the King:
      COUTr D'ASPREMONT-LYNI)EN,
                Minister of F'oreign Affairs.