of 30 kilometers, for the conditions of the delivery of letters by express, as well as for the exchange of post-cards with paid answer. In this latter case, the answer-cards, when sent back to the country of origin, are exempt from the transit charges stipulated by the last paragraph of Article 4 of the present Convention.
Article 15
The present Convention involves no alteration in the postal legislation of any country as regards anything which is not provided for by the stipulations contained in this Convention.
It does not restrict the right of the contracting parties to maintain and to conclude treaties, as well as to maintain and establish more restricted Unions, with a view to the improvement of postal relations
Article 16
There is maintained, under the name of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, a central office, which is conducted under the superintendence of the Swiss Postal Administration, and the expenses of which are borne by all the Administrations of the Union.
This office continues to be charged with the duty of collecting, collating, publishing, and distributing information of every kind which concerns the international postal service; of giving, at the request of the parties concerned, an opinion upon questions in dispute; of making known proposals for modifying the acts of the Congress; of giving notice of the changes adopted, and, in general, of undertaking examinations and labors devolving upon it in the interest of the Postal Union.
Article 17
In case of disagreement between two or more members of the Union as to the interpretation of the present Convention, the question in dispute is decided by arbitration. To that end, each of the Administrations concerned chooses another member of the Union not directly interested in the matter.
The decision of the arbitrators is given by the absolute majority of votes.
In case of an equality of votes, the arbitrators choose, in order to settle the difference, another Administration equally disinterested in the disputed question.
Article 18
Countries which have not taken part in the present convention are admitted to adhere thereto upon their demand.
Notice is given of this adhesion, through the diplomatic channel, to the Government of the Swiss Confederation, and by that Government to all the countries of the Union.
It implies, as a right, accession to all the clauses and admission to all the advantages stipulated by the present Convention.
