122 [No. 99 APPENDIX > territories belonging to an independent sovereign State this principle shall only be applicable in so far as it is approved by such State. But the Powers agree to use their good offices with the Governments established on the African shore of the Indian Ocean for the purpose of obtaining such approval, and in any case of securing the most favourable conditions to the transit (traffic ) of all nations .

ART . 2. All flags, without distinction of nationality, shall have free access to the whole of the coast-line of the territories above enumerated , to the rivers there running into the sea , to all the waters of the Congo and its affluents, including the lakes , and to all the ports situate on the banks of these waters , as well as to all canals which may in future be constructed with intent to unite the water-courses or lakes within the entire area of the territories described in Art. 1. Those trading under such flags may engage in all sorts of transport, and carry on the coasting trade by sea and river, as well as boat traffic, on the same footing as if they were subjects.

ART . 3. Wares, of whatever origin , imported into these regions, under whatsoever flag, by sea or river, or overland, shall be subject to no other taxes than such as may be levied as fair compensation for expenditure in the interests of trade, and which for this reason must be equally borne by the subjects themselves and by foreigners of all nationalities. All differential dues on vessels as well as on merchandise are forbidden .

Art . 4. Merchandise imported into those regions shall remain free from import and transit dues . The Powers reserve to themselves to determine after the lapse of twenty years whether this freedom of import shall be retained or not .

ART. 5. No Power which exercises or shall exercise sovereign rights in the above-mentioned regions shall be allowed to grant therein a monopoly or favour of any kind in matters of trade. Foreigners without distinction shall enjoy protec tion of their persons and property as well as the right of acquiring and transferring movable and immovable posses sions, and national rights and treatment in the exercise of their professions .

ART. 6. Provisions relative to protection of the natives, of missionaries and travellers, as well as relative to religious liberty .

All the Powers exercising sovereign rights or influence in the aforesaid territories bind themselves to watch over the preservation of the native tribes and to care for the improve