POLITICAL CLAUSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10275, 9 May 1919, Page 5

POLITICAL CLAUSES

SECTION ill

EUROPE

BELGIUM. Germany is to consent to the abrogation ot the treaties of 1839, by which Belgium was established as a neutral State, and her frontiers, etc., fixed; and to agree in advance to any convention with which the Allies may determine to replace them. Germany is to recognise the full sovereignty of Belgium over the contested territory of Mores net, and over part of Prussian Moresnet; and is to renounce in favour of Belgium all rights over Kupcn and Malmcdy, the inhabitants of which are to be entitled within six months to protest against this change, in whom or in part, the final decision to he reserved to the League of Nations. A commission is fo settle, the details of the frontier, and various regulations for individual changes of nationality are laid down. The territories acquired by Belgium will be free of all obligations. LUXEMBOURG. Germany is to renounce the various treaties and conventions with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and is to recognise that if has ceased to be part of the German Zollvorciu from January Ist last. Germany is to renounce all rights to the exploitation of railways, to"adhere to the abrogation of its neutrality, and to accept in advance any international agreements as to it reached by Allied and associated Powers. LEFT BANK OF THE RHINE.

As subsequently provided in the military section, Germany must not maintain or construct any fortifications less than fifty kilometres to the oast of the Rhine. 'ln the above area Germany may maintain no armed forces, cither permanent or nor hold any manoeuvres, nor maintain any works tor facilitating mobilisation. , It the provisions of this Article arc violated, she shall be regarded at committing u hostile act against the signatories of the Treaty, and as intending to disturb the world's peace. By virtue of tho Treaty, she must respond to any request for an explanation which the Council of the League of Kations may address to her. THE SAAR MINES TO GO TO FRANCE.

In compensation for tho destruction of the coal-mines., in Northerfi . France,, and ns a payment: ,on . account of ,repan. ration, Germany is to cede to France the full ownership of tho coal mines of the Saar Basin, with their subsidiaries, accessories, and facilities. > Their value will be estimated by the Reparation Commission, and credited against that account. The French rights will bo governed by the German law in force at the time of the Armistice excepting war legislation, France replacing the present owners, whom Germany will undertake to i'ndefiiHi;fy.'"'Franco’ will' continue to furnish the present proportion of coal for local needs, and to contribute in just proportion to tho local taxes. The basin extends from the frontier of Lorraine, as re-annexed, to France; north as far as Saint Wendel, including the valley of the Saar as far as Saar-Hobsbach, and, on tho east thatown of HomhUrg. In order to secure the rights and welfare of the population, and the guarantee to France of entire freedom in the workifilf'O'f'bfi¥'mines 1 , LKh tcrri- 5 tory will he governed by a Commission to be appointed by the League of Nations, and consisting of five members: one French, ofie a native inhabitant of the Saar, and three representing throe different countries other than France and Germany. League will appoint a member of the Commission as chairman to act as the executive of the Commission. Tho Commission will have all tho powers of government formerly belonging, to the Germah Em-’ pire, Prussia, and Bavaria; will administer tho railroads and other public services, and will have full power to interpret the Treaty clauses. The local courts will continue, but will be subject to the Commission. Tho existing German legislation will remain as the basis of tho law, but the Commission may make modifications, after consulting a local representative Assembly, which it will organise. It will have taxing power, but for local purposes only; new. taxes must bo approved by this Assembly. Labour legislation will consider tho wishes of tho local Labour organisations and the Labour programme of the League. French and other labour may bo freely utilised, French labour being free to belong to French unions.

A LIMITED MILITARY SERVICE. There will be no military service, but only a local gendarmerie to preserve order. The people will preserve their local assemblies, religious liberties, schools, and language, but may vote only for local assemblies. They will keep their present nationality, except so far as individuals may change it. Those wishing to leave will have every facility with respect to their property. Tile territory will form part of the French Customs system, with no export tax on coal and metallurgical products going to Germany nor on German products lor the basin, and for live years no import duties on products of the basin going to Germany or German products coming into the basin for local consumption for French money, which may circulate without restriction. THE FUTURE IN THE DISTANCE. After fifteen years, a plebiscite will be held by the communes to ascertain the desires of the population with respect to the continuance of the existing regime under the League of Nucleus union with Franco or union with Germany. The right to vote will belong to all inhabitants over twenty years resident therein at the signature. On the opinion thus expressed, the League will decide the ultimate sovereignty. , _ • In any portion restored to Germany, the German Government must buy out the French mines at an appraised valuation. If the price is not paid within six months thereafter, this portion passes finally to France. If Germany buys back tho mines, the League \vi*l determine how much of the coal shall go to Franco. ALSACE-LORRAINE.

After recognition of tho moral obligation to repair tho wrong done in 1871 Sy Germany to Franco and tho people jf Alsace-liorrninc, the territories coded to Germany by tho Treaty of Frankfort arc restored to Franco, with their frontiers as before 1871, to data from

the signing of tho Armistice, _ and to be free of all public debts. Citizenship is regulated by detailed provisions distinguishing those who are immediately restored to full French citizenship, those who have made formal application therefor, and those for whom naturalisation is open after three years. The last-named class includes German reside ms in Alsace-Lorraine as distinguished from those who acquire tho position of A Isace-Lorrainors as defined by the Treaty.

EX-S 0 VEREIGN ’S PROPERTY PASSES TO FRANCE.

AH public property and all private property of German ox-So versions passes to Franco without payment or credit.

France is substituted for Germany as regards the ownership of railroads and rights over concessions for tramways. The Rhine bridges pass to France, with obligation for their upkeep. For live years tho manufactured products of Alsace-Lorraine will be admitted to Germany free of duty to a total amount not exceeding in any .year the average of the three years preceding tho war, and textile materials may be imported from Germany to Alsace-Lor-raine and re-exported free of duty. Contracts for electric power from the right bank must be continued for ten years. For seven years, with a possible extension to leu. tho ports of K.ehl and Strasbourg shall bo administered as a single unit by a French administrator appointed and supervised by tbo Central Rhino Commission. Property rights will be safeguarded in both ports and equality of treatment as respects traffic will be assured the national vessels and goods of every country. Contracts between the people of Al-sace-Lorraine and tho Germans are to bo maintained, save for France’s right to annul them on grounds of public interest. The judgments of courts will hold in certain classes of cases, while in others a judicial consequatur is first required. . Political condemnations- during the war arc null and void, and tho obligation to pay war fines is established as in other parts of Allied territory. Various clauses adjust tho general provisions of the Treaty to tho special conditions of Alsace-Lorraine, certain matters of execution being left to conventions to bo made between Franco and Germany. GERMAN AUSTRIA.

Tho entire independence of German Austria is recognised by Germany. CZEOHO-SLO VAKIA.

Germany recognises the entire independence of the Ozeclio-Slovak_ States, Including tho autonomous territory oi the ißluthenians south of tho Carpathians, and accepts the frontiers of this State as2 they may bo determined, which in the case of the German frontier, shall follow tho old frontier of Bohemia in 1914. POLAND. Germany cedes to Poland the greater part of Upner Silesia. Posen, and the province of West Prussia on tho left bank of the Vistula. A field boundary ebnjfnisslon of seycn-i-five representing the Allied 1 and associated Powers, and one each Poland and Germany shall be constituted within fifteen days of Peace to delimit this boundary. Such special provisions as arc necessary to protect racial or religious minorities shall bo laid down in a subsequent treaty between the Allied and associated Powers and Poland. EAST PRUSSIA.

The southern and eastern frontier of ■ East Prussia," US' 'fating •'•PofamdAs/to-fce ■ fixed by plebiscites, the first in tho Regency of Alkmstein, between the sou thorn frontier of East Prussia and the northern frontier of Regieruugsbesrk and Allcnstein, from where it meets the boundary between East, and West Prussia, to its junction the boundary between the circles of Oletsko and Augersburg, thcnco the northern boundary of Oletsko to its junction with the present frontier, and the second in t n iio area comprising the circles of 'Stuhm and' Rosenberg,', and tho parts of the circles of Marionburg and Marieuvverden, east of the Vistula. In each case the German troops and authorities will move out within fifteen days of Peace, and the territories will be placed under an International Commission of five members, appointed by the five Allied and associated Powers, with the particular duty of.arranging for a free, fair, and secret vote. The commission will report tho results of_ the plebiscites to tho. five Powers with recommendation .for the boundary, find will terminate its work as soon as the boundary is laid down and new authorities are set up. _ . , Tho five Allied and associated Powers will draw up regulations assuring

East Prussia full and equitable access to and the use of the Vistula. A subsequent Convention, of which the tcims will be fixed by the five Allied and associated Powers, will be entered auto between Poland, Germany. and Danzig to assure suitable railroad communication across German territory on the right hank of the Vistula between Poland and Danzig, while 1 shall grant free passage from Last Prussia to Germany. The north-eastern corner ot Las* Prussia about Mom el is to be ceded by Germany to the associated Powers, tho former agreeing to accept a settlement made especially ns regards the nationality of the inhabitants. DANZIG. Danzig and tho district immediately about it is to be constituted into the free city of Danzig, under tl?'Lfuarimtco of the League of Nations. A Hull Commissioner appointed by tne League and a resident at Danzig smil draw up a constitution in agi cement with the duly appointed representatives of the city, and shall deal in the first instance with all differences arising between tho city and Poland. Inc actual boundaries of the city, shall bo delimited by a Commission appointed within six months from Peace, and is to include three representatives chosen by tho Allied and associated Powers and one each by Germany and Poland. A Convention, the terras of which shall bo fixed by the ‘five Allied and Associated Powers, shall bo concluded between Poland and Danzig, which shall include Danzig within tho Polish customs and frontiers, though with a free area' in tho port- insure to Poland the use of all the city’s waterways, docks, and other port facilities, the control and administration of the Vistula, the whole through railway system within tho city, and the postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communication between Poland and Danzig; provide against discrimination against the Polos within tho city, and place its foreign relations and tho diplomatic protection of its citizens abroad . m charge of Poland. DENMARK. Tlio frontier between .Germany and Denmark is to bo fixed in accordance with the wishes of the_ population, a vote being taken in Northern Schleswig as a whole and in portions of Central Schleswig by communes ten days from Peace. The German troops and authorities must evacuate tho region north of the line running from the

mouth of tho Schlei, south of Kappel, Schleswig and Frieclrichstadt, along the Zuyder to the North Sea, south of Tonning, and the Workmen's and Soldiers’ Councils in the /.one must he dissolved. During the voting the’zone will be under the charge of an International Commission of five members, of whom the Norwegian and Swedish Governments will he invited to choose two. The Commission will temporarily have general powers of administration. After the result of the voting has been declared, the Danish Government may occupy . those territories which have voted for Denmark, and Germany shall renounce her sovereign rights in these territories. All tho inhabitants will then acquire Danish nationality, with certain exceptions. Provisions are made for individual change of nationality under certain conditions. HELIGOLAND. The fortifications, military establishments, and harbours of the islands of Heligoland and Dune are to be destroyed under the supervision of the Allies, by German labour and at Germany’s expense. They are not to be reconstructed, nor are any similar works to bo constructed in future. RUSSIA.

Germany is to recognise aud respect the full independence of all territories which formed part of the former Russian Empire. Germany is to accept definitely the annulment of the BrestLitovsk Treaty and all treaties or agreements of all kinds concluded by Germany since tho revolution of November, 191 1, with all Governments or political groups on the territory of the former Russian Empire. Tho Allies reserve all rights on part. of Russia for restitution and satisfaction to be obtained from Germany on the principles of pliant treaty.