THE SAAR BASIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17031, 3 May 1923, Page 9

THE SAAR BASIN.

CRITICISM OF TREATY AN OFFENCE.

Telegraph—Brea* Association—-Copyright Australian and N.Z. Uabie Association. LONDON. Mav j. In the House o' Commons. Sir Julia Simon asked whether the League oj Nations Council, in March, had adopted a proposal to issue a decree by the League, as the responsible body under the Versailles Treaty, for the administration of the Saar .Basin, making it an offence punishable by fine or ini prisonment to criticise publicly the Treaty oi Versailles or the- action o! the League, and what action the British representatives had taken. Mr Stanley Baldwin replied that the statement was substantially correct. With regard to 1 lie British representatives’ attitude, the president of the Board of Education would make a statement next week According to the Treaty of Versailles (Article 45), France obtained from Germany os a compensation for the destruction of tbe coal mines in the north of France, the exclusive rights of exploitation of the coal mines situated in the Saar Basin. The area of this district is about 751 square mile-, and the population 657,870. For the next fifteen rears the Saar Basin is lo he governed by a commission of five, chosen by the League of Nations. At the end of fifteen rears, the population will -decide by vote one of three alternatives, via., the maintenance ot the rule set up by tbe Treaty, union with France, or union with Germany.