Merchandise from Prussia and Belgium is imported into the Neutral Territory free of duty, but if reëxported to those countries it pays the same amount at the custom-house that foreign articles are subject to.
In spiritual matters it is within the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Liége, and under the direct charge of a curate and a vicar.
Its civil and criminal processes are carried, at the option of the plaintiff or suitor, before the Prussian or the Belgian tribunals.
Till 1841 the executive power was exercised by Commissioners, but in consequence of delays of procedure it has been entrusted since that date to two Governors, one representing each state. They appoint a Burgomaster, selected alternately from Belgian and Prussian subjects, who has charge of the civil and judicial administration. He is assisted by a Communal Council composed of ten members, a School Committee of five members, and a Bureau of Charity of twelve members. He also has the control of the regular police.
The territory is regulated by the Code Napoleon, as it was in 1814. The notaries and bailiffs from Prussia or Belgium can alike perform official duties there. If, for instance, a mortgage deed is drawn up by a Belgian, it is recorded in the office in Verviers; if by a Prussian, at Montjoie. In these matters there is no written agreement between the governments, but the methods are the result of custom, based upon the fact that the territory is too small to have special tribunals and ministerial offices. The registers of the civil state, written in German, are laid before the court of first instance at Aix-la-Chapelle. We would add that the territory has five schools, and that the Prussian subjects residing there have the use of the schools in Prussian Moresnet.
It will be seen from this brief statement that the neutral territory of Moresnet enjoys all, or nearly all, the advantages of independence without its burdens, and that Prussia and Belgium accord every possible favor to its inhabitants almost gratuitously.
