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- <!:TITLE=Vesailles Treaty><l:ww1page><l:ww1head>Vesailles Treaty<l:/ww1head><l:ww1body>
-
- <l:h1>SECTION VI.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- AUSTRIA.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 80.</i>
- <p>
- Germany acknowledges and will respect strictly the independence of Austria,
- within the frontiers which may be fixed in a Treaty between that State and the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers; she agrees that this independence shall
- be inalienable, except with the consent of the Council of the League of Nations.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION VII.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- CZECH0-SLOVAK STATE.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 81.</i>
- <p>
- Germany, in conformity with the action already taken by the Allied and Associated
- Powers, recognises the complete independence of the Czecho-Slovak State which
- will include the autonomous territory of the Ruthenians to the south of the
- Carpathians. Germany hereby recognises the frontiers of this State as determined
- by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers and the other interested States.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 82.</i>
- <p>
- The old frontier as it existed on August 3, 1914, between Austria-Hungary and the
- German Empire will constitute the frontier between Germany and the Czecho-Slovak
- State.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 83.</i>
- <p>
- Germany renounces in favour of the Czecho-Slovak State all rights and title over
- the portion of Silesian territory defined as follows: starting from a point about
- 2 kilometres south-east of Katscher, on the boundary between the Kreise of
- Leobschutz and Ratibor: the boundary between the two Kreise; then, the former
- boundary between Germany and Austria-Hungary up to a point on the Oder
- immediately to the south of the Ratibor-Oderberg railway; thence, towards the
- north-west and up to a point about 2 kilometres to the south-east of Katscher: a
- line to be fixed on the spot passing to the west of Kranowitz. A Commission
- composed of seven members, five nominated by the Principal Allied and Associated
- Powers, one by Poland and one by the Czecho-Slovak State, will be appointed
- fifteen days after the coming into force of the present Treaty to trace on the
- spot the frontier line between Poland and the Czecho-Slovak State. The decisions
- of this Commission will be taken by a majority and shall be binding on the
- parties concerned. Germany hereby agrees to renounce in favour of the
- Czecho-Slovak State all rights and title over the part of the Kreis of Leobschutz
- comprised within the following boundaries in case after the determination of the
- frontier between Germany and Poland the said part of that Kreis should become
- isolated from Germany: from the south-eastern extremity of the salient of the
- former Austrian frontier at about 5 kilometres to the west of Leobschutz
- southwards and up to the point of junction with the boundary between the Kreise
- of Leobschutz and Ratibor: the former frontier between Germany and
- Austria-Hungary; then, northwards, the administrative boundary between the Kreise
- of Leobschutz and Ratibor up to a point situated about 2 kilometres to the
- south-east of Katscher; thence, north-westwards and up to the starting-point of
- this definition: a line to be fixed on the spot passing to the east of Katscher,
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 84.</i>
- <p>
- German nationals habitually resident in any of the territories recognised as
- forming part of the Czecho-Slovak State will obtain Czecho-Slovak nationality
- ipso facto and lose their German nationality.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 85.</i>
- <p>
- Within a period of two years from the coming into force of the present Treaty,
- German nationals over eighteen years of age habitually resident in any of the
- territories recognized as forming part of the Czecho-Slovak State will be
- entitled to opt for German. nationality. Czecho-Slovaks who are German nationals
- and are habitually resident in Germany will have a similar right to opt for
- Czecho-Slovak nationality.
- <p>
- Option by a husband will cover his wife and option by parents will cover their
- children under eighteen years of age.
- <p>
- Persons who have exercised the above right to opt must within the succeeding
- twelve months transfer their place of residence to the State for which they have
- opted.
- <p>
- They will be entitled to retain their landed property in the territory of the
- other State where they had their place of residence before exercising the right
- to opt. They may carry with them their movable property of every description. No
- export or import duties may be imposed upon them in connection with the removal
- of such property.
- <p>
- Within the same period Czecho-Slovaks, who are German nationals and are in a
- foreign country will be entitled, in the absence of any provisions to the
- contrary in the foreign law, and if they have not acquired the foreign
- nationality, to obtain Czecho-Slovak nationality and lose their German
- nationality by complying with the requirements laid down by the Czecho-Slovak
- State.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 86.</i>
- <p>
- The Czecho-Slovak State accepts and agrees to embody in a Treaty with the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers such provisions as may be deemed necessary
- by the said Powers to protect the interests of inhabitants of that State who
- differ from the majority of the population in race, language, or religion.
- <p>
- The Czecho-Slovak State further accepts and agrees to embody in a Treaty with the
- said Powers such provisions as they may deem necessary to protect freedom of
- transit and equitable treatment of the commerce of other nations.
- <p>
- The proportion and nature of the financial obligations of Germany and Prussia
- which the Czecho-Slovak State will have to assume on account of the Silesian
- territory placed under its sovereignty will be determined in accordance with
- Article 254 of Part IX (Financial Clauses) of the present Treaty.
- <p>
- Subsequent agreements will decide all questions not decided by the present Treaty
- which may arise in consequence of the cession of the said territory.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION VIII.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- POLAND.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 87.</i>
- <p>
- Germany, in conformity with the action already taken by the Allied and Associated
- Powers, recognises the complete independence of Poland, and renounces in her
- favour all rights and title over the territory bounded by the Baltic Sea, the
- eastern frontier of Germany as laid down in Article 27 of Part II (Boundaries of
- Germany) of the present Treaty up to a point situated about 2 kilometres to the
- east of Lorzendorf, then a line to the acute angle which the northern boundary of
- Upper Silesia makes about 3 kilometres north-west of Simmenau, then the boundary
- of Upper Silesia to its meeting point with the old frontier between Germany and
- Russia, then this frontier to the point where it crosses the course of the
- Niemen, and then the northern frontier of East Prussia as laid down in Article 28
- of Part II aforesaid.
- <p>
- The provisions of this Article do not, however, apply to the territories of East
- Prussia and the Free City of Danzig, as defined in Article 28 of Part II
- (Boundaries of Germany) and in Article 10o of Section XI (Danzig) of this Part.
- <p>
- The boundaries of Poland not laid down in the present Treaty will be subsequently
- determined by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.
- <p>
- A Commission consisting of seven members, five of whom shall be nominated by the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers, one by Germany and one by Poland, shall
- be constituted fifteen days after the coming into force of the present Treaty to
- delimit on the spot the frontier line between Poland and Germany. The decisions
- of the Commission will be taken by a majority of votes and shall be binding upon
- the parties concerned.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 88.</i>
- <p>
- In the portion of Upper Silesia included within the boundaries described below,
- the inhabitants will be called upon to indicate by a vote whether they wish to be
- attached to Germany or to Poland: starting from the northern point of the salient
- of the old province of Austrian Silesia situated about 8 kilometres east of
- Neustadt, the former frontier between Germany and Austria to its junction with
- the boundary between the Kreise of Leobschutz and Ratibor; thence in a northerly
- direction to a point about 2 kilometres south-east of Katscher: the boundary
- between the Kreise of Leobschutz and Ratibor; thence in a south-easterly
- direction to a point on the course of the Oder immediately south of the
- Ratibor-Oderberg railway: a line to be fixed on the ground passing south of
- Kranowitz; thence the old boundary between Germany and Austria, then the old
- boundary between Germany and Russia to its junction with the administrative
- boundary between Posnania and Upper Silesia; thence this administrative boundary
- to its junction with the administrative boundary between Upper and Middle
- Silesia, thence westwards to the point where the administrative boundary turns
- in an acute angle to the south-east about 3 kilometres north-west of Simmenau:
- the boundary between Upper and Middle Silesia; then in a westerly direction to a
- point to be fixed on the ground about 2 kilometres east of Lorzendorf: a line to
- be fixed on the ground passing north of Klein Hennersdorf: thence southwards to
- the point where the boundary between Upper and Middle Silesia cuts the
- Stadtel-Karlsruhe road: a line to be fixed on the ground passing west of
- Hennersdorf, Polkowitz, Noldau, Steinersdorf, and Dammer, and east of Strehlitz,
- Nassadel, Eckersdorf, Schwirz, and Stadtel; thence the boundary between Upper and
- Middle Silesia to its junction with the eastern boundary of the Kreis of
- Falkenberg; then the eastern boundary of the Kreis of Falkenberg to the point of
- the salient which is 3 kilometres east of Puschine; thence to the northern point
- of the salient of the old province of Austrian Silesia situated about 8
- kilometres east of Neustadt: a line to be fixed on the ground passing east of
- Zulz.
- <p>
- The regime under which this plebiscite will be taken and given effect to is laid
- down in the Annex hereto.
- <p>
- The Polish and German Governments hereby respectively bind themselves to conduct
- no prosecutions on any part of their territory and to take no exceptional
- proceedings for any political action performed in Upper Silesia during the period
- of the regime laid down in the Annex hereto and up to the settlement of the final
- status of the country.
- <p>
- Germany hereby renounces in favour of Poland all rights and title over the
- portion of Upper Silesia Iying beyond the frontier line fixed by the Principal
- Allied and Associated Powers as the result of the plebiscite.
- <p>
- <l:h2>ANNEX.<l:/h2>
- <p>
- Within fifteen days from the coming into force of the present Treaty the German
- troops and such officials as may be designated by the Commission set up under the
- provisions of paragraph 2 shall evacuate the plebiscite area. Up to the moment of
- the completion of the evacuation they shall refrain from any form of
- requisitioning in money or in kind and from all acts likely to prejudice the
- material interests of the country.
- <p>
- Within the same period the Workmen's and Soldiers' Councils which have been
- constituted in this area shall be dissolved. Members of such Councils who are
- natives of another region and are exercising their functions at the date of the
- coming into force of the present Treaty, or who have gone out of office since
- March 1, 1919, shall be evacuated.
- <p>
- All military and semi-military unions formed in the said area by inhabitants of
- the district shall be immediately disbanded All members of such military
- organisations who are not domiciled in the said area shall be required to leave
- it.
- <p>
- The plebiscite area shall be immediately placed under the authority of an
- International Commission of four members to be designated by the following
- Powers: the United States of America, France, the British Empire, and Italy. It
- shall be occupied by troops belonging to the Allied and Associated Powers, and
- the German Government undertakes to give facilities for the transference of these
- troops to Upper Silesia.
- <p>
- 3.
- <p>
- The Commission shall enjoy all the powers exercised by the German or the Prussian
- Government, except those of legislation or taxation. It shall also be substituted
- for the Government of the province and the Regierungsbezirk.
- <p>
- It shall be within the competence of the Commission to interpret the powers
- hereby conferred upon it and to determine to what extent it shall exercise them,
- and to what extent they shall be left in the hands of the existing authorities.
- <p>
- Changes in the existing laws and the existing taxation shall only be brought into
- force with the consent of the Commission.
- <p>
- The Commission will maintain order with the help of the troops which will be at
- its disposal, and, to the extent which it may deem necessary, by means of
- gendarmerie recruited among the inhabitants of the country.
- <p>
- The Commission shall provide immediately for the replacement of the evacuated
- German officials and, if occasion arises, shall itself order the evacuation of
- such authorities and proceed to the replacement of such local authorities as may
- be required.
- <p>
- It shall take all steps which it thinks proper to ensure the freedom, fairness,
- and secrecy of the vote. In particular, it shall have the right to order the
- expulsion of any person who may in any way have attempted to distort the result
- of the plebiscite by methods of corruption or intimidation.
- <p>
- The Commission shall have full power to settle all questions arising from the
- execution of the present clauses. It shall be assisted by technical advisers
- chosen by it from among the local population.
- <p>
- The decisions of the Commission shall be taken by a majority vote.
- <p>
- 4.
- <p>
- The vote shall take place at such date as may be determined by the Principal
- Allied and Associated Powers, but not sooner than six months or later than
- eighteen months after the establishment of the Commission in the area.
- <p>
- The right to vote shall be given to all persons without distinction of sex who:
- <p>
- (a) Have completed their twentieth year on the 1st January of the year in which
- the plebiscite takes place-
- <p>
- (b) Were born in the plebiscite area or have been domiciled there since a date to
- be determined by the Commission, which shall not be subsequent to January 1,
- 1919, or who have been expelled by the German authorities and have not retained
- their domicile there.
- <p>
- Persons convicted of political offences shall be enabled to exercise their right
- of voting.
- <p>
- Every person will vote in the commune where he is domiciled or in which he was
- born, if he has not retained his domicile in the area.
- <p>
- The result of the vote will be determined by communes according to the majority
- of votes in each commune.
- <p>
- 5.
- <p>
- On the conclusion of the voting, the number of votes cast in each commune will be
- communicated by the Commission to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers,
- with a full report as to the taking of the vote and a recommendation as to the
- line which ought to be adopted as the frontier of Germany in Upper Silesia. In
- this recommendation regard will be paid to the wishes of the inhabitants as shown
- by the vote, and to the geographical and economic conditions of the locality.
- <p>
- 6.
- <p>
- As soon as the frontier has been fixed by the Principal Allied and Associated
- Powers, the German authorities will be notified by the International Commission
- that they are free to take over the administration of the territory which it is
- recognised should be German, the said authorities must proceed to do so within
- one month of such notification and in the manner prescribed by the Commission.
- <p>
- Within the same period and in the manner prescribed by the commission, the Polish
- Government must proceed to take over the administration of the territory which it
- is recognized should be Polish.
- <p>
- When the administration of the territory has been provided for by the German and
- Polish authorities respectively, the powers of the Commission will terminate.
- <p>
- The cost of the army of occupation and expenditure by the Commission, whether in
- discharge of its own functions or in the administration of the territory, will be
- a charge on the area.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 89.</i>
- <p>
- Poland undertakes to accord freedom of transit to persons, goods, vessels,
- carriages, wagons, and mails in transit between East Prussia and the rest of
- Germany over Polish territory, including territorial waters, and to treat them at
- least as favourably as the persons, goods, vessels, carriages, wagons and mails
- respectively of Polish or of any other more favoured nationality, origin
- importation, starting point, or ownerships as regards facilities, restrictions
- and all other matters.
- <p>
- Goods in transit shall be exempt from all customs or other similar duties.
- <p>
- Freedom of transit will extend to telegraphic and telephonic services under the
- conditions laid down by the conventions referred to in Article 98.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 90.</i>
- <p>
- Poland undertakes to permit for a period of fifteen years the exportation to
- Germany of the products of the mines in any part of Upper Silesia transferred to
- Poland in accordance with the present Treaty.
- <p>
- Such products shall be free from all export duties or other charges or
- restrictions on exportation.
- <p>
- Poland agrees to take such steps as may be necessary to secure that any such
- products shall be available for sale to purchasers in Germany on terms as
- favourable as are applicable to like products sold under similar conditions to
- purchasers in Poland or in any other country.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 91.</i>
- <p>
- German nationals habitually resident in territories recognised as forming part of
- Poland will acquire Polish nationality ipso facto and will lose their German
- nationality. German nationals, however, or their descendants who became resident
- in these territories after January 1, 1908, will not acquire Polish nationality
- without a special authorisation from the Polish State.
- <p>
- Within a period of two years after the coming into force of the present Treaty,
- German nationals over 18 years of age habitually resident in any of the
- territories recognised as forming part of Poland will be entitled to opt for
- German nationality.
- <p>
- Poles who are German nationals over 18 years of age and habitually resident in
- Germany will have a similar right to opt for Polish nationality.
- <p>
- Option by a husband will cover his wife and option by parents will cover their
- children under 18 years of age.
- <p>
- Persons who have exercised the above right to opt may within the succeeding
- twelve months transfer their place of residence to the State for which they have
- opted.
- <p>
- They will be entitled to retain their immovable property in the territory of the
- other State where they had their place of residence before exercising the right
- to opt.
- <p>
- They may carry with them their movable property of every description. No export
- or import duties or charges may be imposed upon them in connection with the
- removal of such property.
- <p>
- Within the same period Poles who are German nationals and are in a foreign
- country will be entitled, in the absence of any provisions to the contrary in the
- foreign law, and if they have not acquired the foreign nationality, to obtain
- Polish nationality and to lose their German nationality by complying with the
- requirements laid down by the Polish State.
- <p>
- In the portion of Upper Silesia submitted to a plebiscite the provisions of this
- Article shall only come into force as from the definitive attribution of the
- territory.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 92.</i>
- <p>
- The proportion and the nature of the financial liabilities of Germany and Prussia
- which are to be borne by Poland will be determined in accordance with Article 254
- of Part IX (Financial Clauses) of the present Treaty.
- <p>
- There shall be excluded from the share of such financial liabilities assumed by
- Poland that portion of the debt which, according to the finding of the Reparation
- Commission referred to in the above-mentioned Article, arises from measures
- adopted by the German and Prussian Governments with a view to German colonisation
- in Poland.
- <p>
- In fixing under Article 256 of the present Treaty the value of the property and
- possessions belonging to the German Empire and to the German States which pass to
- Poland with the territory transferred above, the Reparation Commission shall
- exclude from the valuation buildings, forests, and other State property which
- belonged to the former Kingdom of Poland; Poland shall acquire these properties
- free of all costs and charges.
- <p>
- In all the German territory transferred in accordance with the present Treaty and
- recognised as forming definitively part of Poland, the property, rights, and
- interests of German nationals shall not be liquidated under Article 297 by the
- Polish Government except in accordance with the following provisions:
- <p>
- (1) The proceeds of the liquidation shall be paid direct to the owner;
- <p>
- (2) If on his application the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal provided for by Section VI
- of Part X (Economic Clauses) of the present Treaty, or an arbitrator appointed by
- that Tribunal, is satisfied that the conditions of the sale or measures taken by
- the Polish Government outside its general legislation were unfairly prejudicial
- to the price obtained, they shall have discretion to award to the owner equitable
- compensation to be paid by the Polish Government.
- <p>
- Further agreements will regulate all questions arising out of the cession of the
- above territory which are not regulated by the present Treaty.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 93.</i>
- <p>
- Poland accepts and agrees to embody in a Treaty with the Principal Allied and
- Associated Powers such provisions as may be deemed necessary by the said Powers
- to protect the interests of inhabitants of Poland who differ from the majority of
- the population in race, language, or religion.
- <p>
- Poland further accepts and agrees to embody in a Treaty with the said Powers such
- provisions as they may deem necessary to protect freedom of transit and equitable
- treatment of the commerce of other nations.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION IX.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- EAST PRUSSIA.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 94.</i>
- <p>
- In the area between the southern frontier of East Prussia, as described in
- Article 28 of Part II (Boundaries of Germany) of the present Treaty, and the line
- described below, the inhabitants will be called upon to indicate by a vote the
- State to which they wish to belong:
- <p>
- The western and northern boundary of Regierungsbezirk Allenstein to its junction
- with the boundary between the Kreise of Oletsko and Angerburg; thence, the
- northern boundary of the Kreis of Oletsko to its junction with the old frontier
- of East Prussia.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 95.</i>
- <p>
- The German troops and authorities will be withdrawn from the area defined above
- within a period not exceeding fifteen days after the coming into force of the
- present treaty. Until the evacuation is completed they will abstain from all
- requisitions in money or in kind and from all measures injurious to the economic
- interests of the country.
- <p>
- On the expiration of the above-mentioned period the said area will be placed
- under the authority of an International Commission of five members appointed by
- the Principal Allied and Associated Powers. This Commission will have general
- powers of administration and, in particular, will be charged with the duty of
- arranging for the vote and of taking such measures as it may deem necessary to
- ensure its freedom, fairness, and secrecy. The Commission will have all necessary
- authority to decide any questions to which the execution of these provisions may
- give rise. The Commission will make such arrangements as may be necessary for
- assistance in the exercise of its functions by officials chosen by itself from
- the local population. Its decisions will be taken by a majority.
- <p>
- Every person, irrespective of sex, will be entitled to vote who:
- <p>
- (a) Is 20 years of age at the date of the coming into force of the present
- Treaty, and
- <p>
- (b) Was born within the area where the vote will take place or has been
- habitually resident there from a date to be fixed by the Commission.
- <p>
- Every person will vote in the commune where he is habitually resident or, if not
- habitually resident in the area, in the commune where he was born.
- <p>
- The result of the vote will be determined by communes (Gemeinde) according to the
- majority of the votes in each commune.
- <p>
- On the conclusion of the voting the number of votes cast in each commune will be
- communicated by the Commission to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers,
- with a full report as the taking of the vote and a recommendation as to the line
- which ought to be adopted as the boundary of East Prussia in this region. In
- this recommendation regard will be paid to the wishes of the inhabitants as shown
- by the vote and to the geographical and economic conditions of the locality. The
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers will then fix the frontier between East
- Prussia and Poland in this region.
- <p>
- If the line fixed by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers is such as to
- exclude from East Prussia any part of the territory defined in Article 94, the
- renunciation of its rights by Germany in favour of Poland, as provided in Article
- 87 above, will extend to the territories so excluded.
- <p>
- As soon as the line has been fixed by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers,
- the authorities administering East Prussia will be notified by the International
- Commission that they are free to take over the administration of the territory to
- the north of the line so fixed, which they shall proceed to do within one month
- of such notification and in the manner prescribed by the Commission. Within the
- same period and as prescribed by the Commission, the Polish Government must
- proceed to take over the administration of the territory to the south of the
- line. The administration of the territory by the East Prussian and Polish
- authorities respectively has been provided for, the powers of the Commission will
- terminate.
- <p>
- Expenditure by the Commission, whether in the discharge of its own functions or
- in the administration of the territory, will be borne by the local revenues East
- Prussia will be required to bear such proportion of any deficit as may be fixed
- by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.
- <p>
-
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 96.</i>
- <p>
- In the area comprising the Kreise of Stuhm and Rosenberg and the portion of the
- Kreis of Marienburg which is situated east of the Nogat and that of Marienwerder
- east of the Vistula, the inhabitants will be called upon to indicate by a vote,
- to be taken in each commune (Gemeinde), whether they desire the various communes
- situated in this territory to belong to Poland or to East Prussia.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 97.</i>
- <p>
- The German troops and authorities will be withdrawn from the area defined in
- Article 96 within a period not exceeding fifteen days after the coming into force
- of the present Treaty. Until the evacuation is completed they will abstain from
- all requisitions in money or in kind and from all measures injurious to the
- economic interests of the country.
- <p>
- On the expiration of the above-mentioned period, the said area will be placed
- under the authority of an International Commission of five members appointed by
- the Principal Allied and Associated Powers. This Commission, supported if
- occasion arises by the necessary forces, will have general powers of
- administration and in particular will be charged with the duty of arranging for
- the vote and of taking such measures as it may deem necessary to ensure its
- freedom, fairness, and secrecy. The Commission will conform as far as possible to
- the provisions of the present Treaty relating to the plebiscite in the Allenstein
- area; its decisions will be taken by a majority.
- <p>
- Expenditure by the Commission, whether in the discharge of its own functions or
- in the administration of the territory, will be borne by the local revenues.
- <p>
- On the conclusion of the voting the number of votes cast in each commune will be
- communicated by the Commission to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers with
- a full report as to the taking of the vote and a recommendation as to the line
- which ought to be adopted as the boundary of East Prussia in this region. In this
- recommendation regard will be paid to the wishes of the inhabitants as shown by
- the vote and to the geographical and economic conditions of the locality. The
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers will then fix the frontier between East
- Prussia and Poland in this region, leaving in any case to Poland for the whole of
- the section bordering on the Vistula full and complete control of the river
- including the east bank as far east of the river as may be necessary for its
- regulation and improvement, Germany agrees that in any portion of the said
- territory which remains German, no fortifications shall at any time be erected.
- The Principal Allied and Associated Powers will at the same time draw up
- regulations for assuring to the population of East Prussia to the fullest extent
- and under equitable conditions access to the Vistula and the use of it for
- themselves, their commerce, and their boats.
- <p>
- The determination of the frontier and the foregoing regulations shall be binding
- upon all the parties concerned.
- <p>
- When the administration of the territory has been taken over by the East Prussian
- and Polish authorities respectively, the powers of the Commission will terminate.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 98.</i>
- <p>
- Germany and Poland undertake, within one year of the coming into force of this
- Treaty, to enter into conventions of which the terms, in case of difference,
- shall be settled by the Council of the League of Nations, with the object of
- securing, on the one hand, to Germany full and adequate railroad, telegraphic and
- telephonic facilities for communication between the rest of Germany and East
- Prussia over the intervening Polish territory, and on the other hand to Poland
- full and adequate railroad, telegraphic and telephonic facilities for
- communication between Poland and the Free City of Danzig over any German
- territory that may, on the right bank of the Vistula, intervene between Poland
- and the Free City of Danzig.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION X.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- MEMEL.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 99.</i>
- <p>
- Germany renounces in favour of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers all
- rights and title over the territories included between the Baltic, the
- north-eastern frontier of East Prussia as defined in Article 28 of Part II
- (Boundaries of Germany) of the present Treaty and the former frontier between
- Germany and Russia. Germany undertakes to accept the settlement made by the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers in regard to these territories,
- particularly in so far as concerns the nationality of the inhabitants.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION XI.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- FREE CITY OF DANZIG.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 100.</i>
- <p>
- Germany renounces in favour of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers all
- rights and title over the territory comprised within the following limits:
- <p>
- from the Baltic Sea southwards to the point where the principal channels of
- navigation of the Nogat and the Vistula (Weichsel) meet:
- <p>
- the boundary of East Prussia as described in Article 28 of Part II (Boundaries of
- Germany) of the present Treaty;
- <p>
- thence the principal channel of navigation of the Vistula downstream to a point
- about 6-1/2 kilometres north of the bridge of Dirschau;
- <p>
- thence north-west to point 5-1/2 kilometres south-east of the church of Guttland:
- <p>
- a line to be fixed on the ground,
- <p>
- thence in a general westerly direction to the salient made by the boundary of the
- Kreis of Berent 8-1/2 kilometres north-east of Schoneck:
- <p>
- a line to be fixed on the ground passing between Muhlbanz on the south and
- Rambeltsch on the north;
- <p>
- thence the boundary of the Kreis of Berent westwards to the re-entrant which it
- forms 6 kilometres north-north-west Schoneck; thence to a point on the median
- line of Lonkener See:
- <p>
- a line to be fixed on the ground passing north of Neu Fietz and Schatarpi and
- south of Barenhutte and Lonken;
- <p>
- thence the median line of Lonkener See to its northernmost point;
- <p>
- thence to the southern end of Pollenziner See:
- <p>
- a line to be fixed on the ground;
- <p>
- thence the median line of Pollenziner See to its northernmost point;
- <p>
- thence in a north-easterly direction to a point about 1 kilometre south of
- Koliebken church, where the Danzig-Neustadt railway crosses a stream:
- <p>
- a line to be fixed on the ground passing south-east of Kamehlen, Krissau, Fidlin,
- Sulmin (Richthof), Mattern, Schaferei, and to the north-west of Neuendorf,
- Marschau, Czapielken, Hoch- and Klein-Kelpin, Pulvermuhl, Renneberg, and the
- towns of Oliva and Zoppot;
- <p>
- thence the course of the stream mentioned above to the Baltic Sea. The boundaries
- described above are drawn on a German map, scale 1/100,000, attached to the
- present Treaty (Map No. 3).
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 101.</i>
- <p>
- A Commission composed of three members appointed by the Principal Allied and
- Associated Powers, including a High Commissioner as President, one member
- appointed by Germany and one member appointed by Poland, shall be constituted
- within fifteen days of the coming into force of the present Treaty for the
- purpose of delimiting on the spot the frontier of the territory as described
- above, taking into account as far as possible the existing communal boundaries.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 102.</i>
- <p>
- The Principal Allied and Associated Powers undertake to establish the town of
- Danzig, together with the rest of the territory described in Article 100, as a
- Free City. It will be placed under the protection of the League of Nations.
- <p>
-
- <i>ARTICLE 103.</i>
- <p>
- A constitution for the Free City of Danzig shall be drawn up by the duly
- appointed representatives of the Free City in agreement with a High Commissioner
- to be appointed by the League of Nations. This constitution shall be placed under
- the guarantee of the League of Nations.
- <p>
- The High Commissioner will also be entrusted with the duty of dealing in the
- first instance with all differences arising between Poland and the Free City of
- Danzig in regard to this Treaty or any arrangements or agreements made
- thereunder.
- <p>
- The High Commissioner shall reside at Danzig.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 104.</i>
- <p>
- The Principal Allied and Associated Powers undertake to negotiate a Treaty
- between the Polish Government and the Free City of Danzig, which shall come into
- force at the same time as the establishment of the said Free City, with the
- following objects:
- <p>
- (1) To effect the inclusion of the Free City of Danzig within the Polish Customs
- frontiers, and to establish a free area in the port;
- <p>
- (2) To ensure to Poland without any restriction the free use and service of all
- waterways, docks, basins, wharves and other works within the territory of the
- Free City necessary for Polish imports and exports;
- <p>
- (3) To ensure to Poland the control and administration of the Vistula and of the
- whole railway system within the Free City, except such street and other railways
- as serve primarily the needs of the Free City, and of postal, telegraphic and
- telephonic communication between Poland and the port of Danzig;
- <p>
- (4) To ensure to Poland the right to develop and improve the waterways, docks,
- basins, wharves, railways and other works and means of communication mentioned in
- this Article, as well as to lease or purchase through appropriate processes such
- land and other property as may be necessary for these purposes,
- <p>
- (5) To provide against any discrimination within the Free City of Danzig to the
- detriment of citizens of Poland and other persons of Polish origin or speech;
- <p>
- (6) To provide that the Polish Government shall undertake the conduct of the
- foreign relations of the Free City of Danzig as well as the diplomatic protection
- of citizens of that city when abroad.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 105.</i>
- <p>
- On the coming into force of the present Treaty German nationals ordinarily
- resident in the territory described in Article 100 will ipso facto lose their
- German nationality in order to become nationals of the Free City of Danzig.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 106.</i>
- <p>
- Within a period of two years from the coming into force of the present Treaty,
- German nationals over 18 years of age ordinarily resident in the territory
- described in Article 100 will have the right to opt for German nationality.
- <p>
- Option by a husband will cover his wife and option by parents will cover their
- children less than 18 years of age.
- <p>
- All persons who exercise the right of option referred to above must during the
- ensuing twelve months transfer their place of residence to Germany.
- <p>
- These persons will be entitled to preserve the immovable property possessed by
- them in the territory of the Free City of Danzig. They may carry with them their
- movable property of every description. No export or import duties shall be
- imposed upon upon them in this connection.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 107.</i>
- <p>
- All property situated within the territory of the Free City of Danzig belonging
- to the German Empire or to any German State shall pass to the Principal Allied
- and Associated Powers for transfer to the Free City of Danzig or to the Polish
- State as they may consider equitable.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 108.</i>
- <p>
- The proportion and nature of the financial liabilities of Germany and of Prussia
- to be borne by the Free City of Danzig shall be fixed in accordance with Article
- 254 of Part IX (Financial Clauses) of the present Treaty.
- <p>
- All other questions which may arise from the cession of the territory referred to
- in Article 100 shall be settled by further agreements.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION XII.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- SCHLESWIG.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 109.</i>
- <p>
- The frontier between Germany and Denmark shall be fixed in conformity with the
- wishes of the population.
- <p>
- For this purpose, the population inhabiting the territories of the former German
- Empire situated to the north of a line, from East to West, (shown by a brown line
- on the map No. 4, annexed to the present Treaty):
- <p>
- leaving the Baltic Sea about 13 kilometres east-north-east of Flensburg,
- <p>
- running south-west so as to pass south-east of: Sygum, Ringsberg, Munkbrarup,
- Adelby, Tastrup, Jarplund, Oversee, and northwest of: Langballigholz, Langballig,
- Bonstrup, Rullschau, Weseby, Kleinwolstrup, Gross-Solt,
- <p>
- thence westwards passing south of Frorup and north of Wanderup,
- <p>
- thence in a south-westerly direction passing south-east of Oxlund, Stieglund and
- Ostenau and north-west of the villages on the Wanderup-Kollund road,
- <p>
- thence in a north-westerly direction passing south-west of Lowenstedt, Joldelund,
- Goldelund, and north-east of Kolkerheide and Hogel to the bend of the Soholmer
- Au, about 1 kilometre east of Soholm, where it meets the southern boundary of the
- Kreis of Tondern, following this boundary to the North Sea,passing south of the
- islands of Fohr and Amrum and north of the islands of Oland and Langeness, shall
- be called upon to pronounce by a vote which will be taken under the following
- conditions:
- <p>
- (1) Within a period not exceeding ten days from the coming into force of the
- present Treaty, the German troops and authorities (including the Oberprasidenten,
- Regierungs-prasidenten, Landrathe, Amtsvorsteher, Oberburgermeister) shall
- evacuate the zone lying to the north of the line above fixed.
- <p>
- Within the same period the Workmen's and Soldiers', Councils which have been
- constituted in this zone shall be dissolved; members of such councils who are
- natives of another region and are exercising their functions at the date of the
- coming into force of the present Treaty, or who have gone out of office since
- March 1, 1919, shall also be evacuated.
- <p>
- The said zone shall immediately be placed under the authority of an International
- Commission, composed of five members, of whom three will be designated by the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers; the Norwegian and Swedish Governments
- will each be requested to designate a member; in the event of their failing to do
- so, these two members will be chosen by the Principal Allied and Associated
- Powers.
- <p>
- The Commission, assisted in case of need by the necessary forces, shall have
- general powers of administration. In particular, it shall at once provide for
- filling the places of the evacuated German authorities, and if necessary shall
- itself give orders for their evacuation, and proceed to fill the places of such
- local authorities as may be required. It shall take all steps which it thinks
- proper to ensure the freedom, fairness, and secrecy of the vote. It shall be
- assisted by German and Danish technical advisers chosen by it from among the
- local population. Its decisions will be taken by a majority.
- <p>
- One-half of the expenses of the Commission and of the expenditure occasioned by
- the plebiscite shall be paid by Germany.
- <p>
- (2) The right to vote shall be given to all persons, without distinction of sex,
- who:
- <p>
- (a) Have completed their twentieth year at the date of the coming into force of
- the present Treaty; and
- <p>
- (b) Were born in the zone in which the plebiscite is taken, or have been
- domiciled there since a date before January 1, 1900, or had been expelled by the
- German authorities without having retained their domicile there.
- <p>
- Every person will vote in the commune (Gemeinde) where he is domiciled or of
- which he is a native.
- <p>
- Military persons, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the German
- army, who are natives of the zone of Schleswig in which the plebiscite is taken,
- shall be given the opportunity to return to their native place in order to take
- part in the voting there.
- <p>
- (3) In the section of the evacuated zone lying to the north of a line, from East
- to West (shown by a red line on map No. 4 which is annexed to the present
- Treaty). [See Introduction]:
- <p>
- passing south of the island of Alsen and following the median line of Flensburg
- Fjord,
- <p>
- leaving the fjord about 6 kilometres north of Flensburg and following the course
- of the stream flowing past Kupfermuhle upstream to a point north of Niehuus,
- <p>
- passing north of Pattburg and Ellund and south of Froslee to meet the eastern
- boundary of the Kreis of Tondern at its junction with the boundary between the
- old jurisdiction of Slogs and Kjaer (Slogs, Herred, and Kaer Herred),
- <p>
- following the latter boundary to where it meets the Scheidebek, following the
- course of the Scheidebek (AIte Au), Suder Au, and Wied Au downstream successively
- to the point where the latter bends northwards about 1,500 metres west of
- Ruttebull
- <p>
- thence, in a west-north-westerly direction to meet the North Sea north of
- SieItoft,
- <p>
- thence, passing north of the island of Sylt,
- <p>
- the vote above provided for shall be taken within a period not exceeding three
- weeks after the evacuation of the country by the German troops and authorities.
- <p>
- The result will be determined by the majority of votes cast in the whole of this
- section. This result will be immediately communicated by the Commission to the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers and proclaimed.
- <p>
- If the vote results in favour of the reincorporation of this territory in the
- Kingdom of Denmark, the Danish Government in agreement with the Commission will
- be entitled to effect its occupation with their military and administrative
- authorities immediately after the proclamation.
- <p>
- (4) In the section of the evacuated zone situated to the south of the preceding
- section and to the north of the line which starts from the Baltic Sea 13
- kilometres from Flensburg and ends north of the islands of Oland and Langeness,
- the vote will be taken within a period not exceeding five weeks after the
- plebiscite shall have been held in the first section.
- <p>
- The result will be determined by communes (Gemeinden), in accordance with the
- majority of the votes cast in each commune (Gemeinde).
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 110.</i>
- <p>
- Pending a delimitation on the spot, a frontier line will be fixed by the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers according to a line based on the result of
- the voting, and proposed by the International Commission, and taking into account
- the particular geographical and economic conditions of the localities in
- question.
- <p>
- From that time the Danish Government may effect the occupation of these
- territories with the Danish civil and military authorities, and the German
- Government may reinstate up to the said frontier line the German civil and
- military authorities whom it has evacuated.
- <p>
- Germany hereby renounces definitely in favour of the Principal Allied and
- Associated Powers all rights of sovereignty over the territories situated to the
- north of the frontier line fixed in accordance with the above provisions. The
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers will hand over the said territories to
- Denmark.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 111.</i>
- <p>
- A Commission composed of seven members, five of whom shall be nominated by the
- Principal Allied and Associated Powers, one by Denmark, and one by Germany, shall
- be constituted within fifteen days from the date when the final result of the
- vote is known, to trace the frontier line on the spot.
- <p>
- The decisions of the Commission will be taken by a majority of votes and shall be
- binding on the parties concerned.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 112.</i>
- <p>
- All the inhabitants of the territory which is returned to Denmark will acquire
- Danish nationality ipso facto, and will lose their German nationality.
- <p>
- Persons, however, who had become habitually resident in this territory after
- October 1, 1918, will not be able to acquire Danish nationality without
- permission from the Danish Government.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 113.</i>
- <p>
- Within two years from the date on which the sovereignty over the whole or part of
- the territory of Schleswig subjected to the plebiscite is restored to Denmark:
- <p>
- Any person over 18 years of age, born in the territory restored to Denmark not
- habitually resident in this region, and possessing German nationality, will be
- entitled to opt for Denmark;
- <p>
-
- Any person over 18 years of age habitually resident in the territory restored to
- Denmark will be entitled to opt for Germany.
- <p>
- Option by a husband will cover his wife and option by parents will cover their
- children less than 18 years of age.
- <p>
- Persons who have exercised the above right to opt must within the ensuing twelve
- months transfer their place of residence to the State in favour of which they
- have opted.
- <p>
- They will be entitled to retain the immovable property which they own in the
- territory of the other State in which they were habitually resident before
- opting. They may carry with them their movable property of every description. No
- export or import duties may be imposed upon them in connection with the removal
- of such property.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 114.</i>
- <p>
- The proportion and nature of the financial or other obligations of Germany and
- Prussia which are to be assumed by Denmark will be fixed in accordance with
- Article 254 of Part IX (Financial Clauses) of the present Treaty.
- <p>
- Further stipulations will determine any other questions arising out of the
- transfer to Denmark of the whole or part of the territory of which she was
- deprived by the Treaty of October 30, 1864.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION XIII.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- HELIGOLAND.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 115.</i>
- <p>
- The fortifications, military establishments, and harbours, of the Islands of
- Heligoland and Dune shall be destroyed under the supervision of the Principal
- Allied Governments by German labour and at the expense of Germany within a period
- to be determined by the said Governments.
- <p>
- The term "harbours,, shall include the north-east mole, the west wall, the outer
- and inner breakwaters, and reclaimed land within them, and all naval and military
- works, fortifications, and buildings, constructed or under construction, between
- lines connecting the following positions taken from the British Admiralty chart
- No. 126 of April 19, 1918:
- <p>
- (a) lat. 54° 10' 49" N.; long. 7° 53' 39" E.; (b) 54° 10' 35" N.; 7° 54' 18"
- E.; (c) 54° 10' 14" N.; 7° 54' 00" E.; (d) 54° 10' 17" N.; 7° 53' 37" E.;
- (e) 54° 10' 44" N.; 7° 53' 26" E.
- <p>
- These fortifications, military establishments, and harbours shall not be
- reconstructed nor shall any similar works be constructed in future.
- <p>
- <l:h1>SECTION XIV.<l:/h1>
- <p>
- RUSSIA AND RUSSIAN STATES.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 116.</i>
- <p>
- Germany acknowledges and agrees to respect as permanent and inalienable the
- independence of all the territories which were part of the former Russian Empire
- on August 1, 1914.
- <p>
- In accordance with the provisions of Article 259 of Part IX (Financial Clauses)
- and Article 292 of Part X (Economic Clauses) Germany accepts definitely the
- abrogation of the Brest-Litovsk Treaties and of all other treaties, conventions,
- and agreements entered into by her with the Maximalist Government in Russia.
- <p>
- The Allied and Associated Powers formally reserve the rights of Russia to obtain
- from Germany restitution and reparation based on the principles of the present
- Treaty.
- <p>
- <i>ARTICLE 117.</i>
- <p>
- Germany undertakes to recognise the full force of all treaties or agreements
- which may be entered into by the Allied and Associated Powers with States now
- existing or coming into existence in future in the whole or part of the former
- Empire of Russia as it existed on August 1, 1914, and to recognise the frontiers
- of any such States as determined therein.
- <p>
-
- MANDATES IN AFRICA
- <p>
- [see MAP]
- <p>
- <l:/ww1body><l:/ww1page>
-
-
-