THE PEACE TREATY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7567, 10 May 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE TREATY.

REMAINDER OF THE CONDITIONS.

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CLAUSES.

Following is a continuation of the Peace Treaty conditions: —

SECTION NINE.

FINANCE,

The Powers to which German territory is -ceded will assume a icertam portion of the German pre-war debt, the amout to be fixed by the Reparations Commission on the basis of the ration between the revenues of the ceded territory and Germany's total revenues for the three years preceding t>z>~ war. In view, however, of the special circumstances under which Al-iaoe-Lorraine was separated from France in 1871, when Germany refused to accept any part of the French public debt, France will not assume any part of Germany's pre-war debt, nor «*ill Poland share in certain German jbbte incurred for the oppression of foland. The value of German Government property in the ceded territory will, in general, be credited ■» Germany on account of reparation, but no credit will be given for any Geriaan Government property in AlsaceLorraine.

Mandatory Powers will not assume any German debts, or give any credits for German Government property. Germany renounces all right of Vepresentation on or control of State Bank?, Commissions, or other similar international financial md economic organisations. Germany is required to pay the total ©oat of the armies of occupation from* the date of the armistice, as long as they are maintained in German territory, and this cost is to be a first charge "upon her resources. The josfc of reparation is the next chargo, ifte rmaking such provision for payuents for imports as the Allies may ieem necessary. Germany is to deliver to the Allied Powers all sums deposited in Germany by Turkey and Austria-Hungary j u connection with financial support exlenßed by her to them during the war, and is to transfer to the Allies ill claims against Austria-Hungary in coniiection with financial support extended by her to them during the war, and i» to transfer td the Allies all claimsr.gainst Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, or Turkey in connection v/itli agreements made during the war. Germany conforms the renunciation of the Treaties n r Bucharest and of Breat Litovsk. On request of this by tihe Reparation Commission, Ctermanv will Expropriate any rights of interests of her nationals in public utilities in the ceded t«r----r tory, or those administered by mandatory, and Turkey, China, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria, and transfer them to the Reparation Commission, which will credit her with their value, Germany guarantees to repay to Brazil funds arising from the eaJo of. San Paulo coffee, which she refused to allow Brazil to withdraw from Germany.

SECTION TEN.

ECONOMIC CLAUSES AND

CUSTOMS

The Treaty contains detailed provisions for securing that Germany shall not discriminate, directly or indirectly, against the trade of the Allied and Associated countries. /These provisions will remain in force for five y*ars, unless extended by the Council of the League of Nations. Temporary provision, is made for-free entrance into Germany, up to a limited amount, of the products of Alsace-Lorraine, Luxemburg, and German territory ceded to Poland. The German import tariff is applicable at the outlet to Allied goods, but will not exceed the lowe3t xates of 1914. After six months, Germany will be. free to raise her tariff, er long as it is impartially applied to all the Allies, except as regards a few specified articles, mainly agricultural products, with.regard to which the restriction will extend for a further period of 2J years. Power is reserved, in case of necessity, to impose a special Customs regime in the occupied parts. SHIPPING. Vessels of the Allies are to enjoy both national and most-favoured-na-tion treatment in Germany for at least f;ve years, and this provision will continue thereafter on condition of reciprocity, unless revised by the Council of the League of Nations. As regards hailing, and coasting trade and tonnage, most-favoured-fcation treatment is to be accorded for the same period as for Customs matters. Provision is to be made for the recognition by Germany of ships' certificates, and places ci registry of ships belonging to States without her seaboard. UNFAIR COMPETITION. Germany undertakes to protect the trade of the Allies against unfair competition, and, in particular, to suppress the use of false markings and ndications of origin, and, on condit'on of reciprocity, to respect the laws1 and judicial decisions of the Allied and Associated States in respect of natton•a appellations of wines and spirits. TREATMENT o*' NATIONALS. • Germany is not to impose on the nationals of the Allied States, or their pioperty, any restrictions which were rot in force before the war, or any taxes, unless those restrictions and taxes are applied to her own nationals. She is also prevented iiom imposing restrictions in regard to the exeroise ot occupations which are not applicable to all foreigners. These provisions are to be in force for a period of five years, and, it a majority of the Council ot che League of Nations so decides, for an additional period not exceeding five years. German nationality shall not :ontmue to attach to any person who has become a national of an Allied or Associated State. MULTILATERAL CONVENTIONS. Some forty multilateral convention? are renewed between Germany and the Allied parties thereto, but special conditions are attached to Germany's readmission to several. For example, as

\v Postal and Telegraphic Conventions, Germany must not reiuse her consent to special arrangements concluded by the new States. She must agree as re* spects the ltadJO-Telegraphic Convention to iulfil the provisional rules to be communicated to her, and to adhere ta the new convention when formulated. Under the liorth Sea Fisheries and North Sea Liquor Traffic Conventions r:ghts of inspection and police over Al-' ljed fishing boats are, for at least five years, to be exercised only by vessels of the Allied Powers. Germany loses the special rights granted her under article three of the j Samoa Treaty of 1899, and other treaties, and,in particular, is to renounce her right to the Boxer indemnity subsequent to China's entry into the war. BILATERAL TREATIES. Each Allied State may,.if it desires? renew any of its treaties with Germany i.v so far as is consistent with the Peace .Treaty, by giving notice -within six month. The treaties entered into by Germany on Ist August, 1914, with other enemy States, and before or since then with Ronmania, Russia, or Governments representing parts of former Russian territory, are abrogated, and the concessions granted under pressure to German nationals are annullled. The Allies are to enjoy the privileges conferred, under treaties entered into by Germany with other enemy States before Ist August, 1914, and under the treaties entered into by Germany with neutral States during the war. PRE-WAR DEBTS. Clearing offices are to be established within three months in Germany by each Allied or Associated State, which will adopt a plan for the settlement of pre-war debts and other specified pecuniary obligations, which will take pi ace through these offices, direct settlement being prohibited. Adjustment o?'the proceeds of liquidation of enemy property will also be made thronign these offices. Each participating State is to take responsibility for obligations of the kinds referred to on the part of its nationals towards nationals of opposing States, except in cases where, at the outbreak of the war, the debtor h&b insolvent. Claims are to be discussed between the clearing offices of the two countries concerned, and, failing agreement, are to be submitted to arbitration, or to the mixed arbitral tribunal referred to below. Sums due to the nationals of each country are to be paid by the clearing offices in that country, and sums owing to such nationals are to be debited to it. Debts are to be paid in the currency of the Allied country concerned, and the rate of exchange to be adopted, failing specific provision in the contract, i« to be ( the average cable transfer rate prevailing in that country 'during the month immediately preceding the outbreak of war between the country in question and Germany. It is optional with any Allied Power to participate in the above system. ENEMY PROPERTY. Action of liquidation, control, etc., taken in any Allied country and m Germany in regard to enemy property and business under exceptional war measures, is confirmed, subject to compensation in respect of loss to property, etc., of Allied nations, to be determined by a mixed tribunal, and charged upon the property of German nationals, which is under the control of the claimants' State. Any compensation due t ■ her own nationals is to be paid by Germany. All action of ii--1 quidation, control, etc., in Germany, is to be stayed and Allied property, if not completely liquidated, is to be restored. Nationals of countries which did not make any general liquidation of German property may require restoration, if possible, of their actual property by the Gterman lio'trnment, in whosoever hands it may now be. Stipulations are included for protection of returned property and businesses in Germany in future. Tlhe Allies reserve the right to retain and liquidate all Germun property within their territory. Net proceeds of sales of such property, both during and atter the war, are to be credited to Ger- j many, and applied by each State to satisfaction of claims by its nationals, with regard to their property in Germany, or debts owing them by Germans. CONTRACTS. Pre-war contracts between Allied nationals and German nationals are, in "eneral, utmceiled as troru the date i>f whiohthe parties became enemies. Exception is made in case of agreements for the transfer of real or personal property where property therein had already passed. Lenses of land and houses, contracts of mortgage, pledge, or lien, mining concessions, contracts with Governments and public bodies, and insurance contracts. —Ln regard to the last-nam-ed, provision in made as indicated below. Powers are reserved for the maintenance at' contracts, execution of wmch is regarded by an Allied State as in the general interest, subject, if necessary, to payment of equitable compensation to be fixed by a mixed arbitral tribunal. Saving with regard to constitutional difficulties in the cases o* the United States of America, Brazil, and Japan, these councils are exoepted from the provisions relating to pm-war contracts. .Pire insurance contracts are not considered dissolved by the war, even if the premiums have not been paid, but lapse at the date of the actual premium falling due three months after peace. Life insurance contracts are not dissolved merely by reason of the war, but, where they lapsed, the surrender value may he daimed, or, if the lapse was due to payment of premiums being prevented by the enforcement of measures of war, the contract may be restored on payp.ent of premiums, with interest. Alarine insurance contracts are dissolved l.y the outbreak of war, except where risk had already attached. Where the same risk was again insured against after war had begun, then the new policy is to be considered as substituted for the old. Where the risk had not attached at the outbreak of war, premiums paid are recoverable. lnsur-

anoe treaties are abrogated, unless invasion has made it impossible for the reinsured to find another reinsurance. Any Allied or Associated Powers, however, may cancel all life insurance contracts running between its nationals and any German insurance or reinsurance company, the latter Deing obliged to hand over the proportion of its assets attributable to such policies. A mixed arbrital tribunal is to be established between each of the Allies and Germany, consisting of one member appointed by each of the two Governments, and a president to be chosen, failing agreement, by tne Council <•£ the League of Nations, or, until this is set up, by the present President of the Swiss Federal Council. • This tribunal is to decide all disputes relating to contracts made before the date of the tieaty of peace between the nationals j>nd the Allied States and German nationals, so far as they <lo not fall with.in the jurisdiction of the Allied or Associated, or reutral Courts. • INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. Rights in industrial, literary, and artistic property are re-established, but subject in the case of German-owned rights, to the effect of the special war measures of the Allies. The rights of imposing, on German patents and copyrights, conditions in the public interest, or to secure fulfilment of Germany's obligations, is reserved. Extensions of time are given for the accomplishment of formalities, for the working :A patents, and for securing rights under International Conventions, except as between the United States of America and Germany. Pre-war licenses are tanceHKi su'ject to the right of the old licensee to demand a new license on terms to l*e specially settled, and, except as between the same countries the righ; to sue for any infringement committed during the war is not recognised ! OPIUM. ! The contracting Powers, who have not Bigned or ratified the Opium Convention of 1912, agree to bring it into ii rce.

SECTION EIiEVEN. \

AERIAL NAVIGATION

The aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall have full liberty of pacsage and landing over and in German 'erritory, equal treatment with German planet as to the use of Gerrcan airdromes, and with most-favour-ed-nation planes. As to internal commercial trrhn- in Germany, Germany .tgrees to accept Allied certificates of nationality, sir-worthiness, or competency, and licenses, and to apply the ■convention relative to aerial navigation conclude I let ween the Allied and Associated Powers to her own aircraft over her own territory. These i-.-ies apply until 1923. vrlesß Germany has since been atJJiiiited to the League of Na~ tttrn*, or to the above convention.

SECTION TWELVE.

PORTS, WATERWAYS AND RAILWAYS

Germany is required to grant frus dom to transit and full national treatment to persons, goods, vessels, rolling stock, etc., coming rrorn, or going to, any Allied or Associated State, and passing in transit throoigh German territory. Goods ii\ transit are to be free of Customs duties. Rates of transport are to be reasonable, and no charges or facilities are to depend, directly or indirectly, on the flag of any \essel. Provisions are to be made against discrimination by the control •>r transmigrant traffic, and all kinds of indirect discrimination are prohibited. Inter-nation transport is to be expedited, particularly for perishable goods. There is to be no discrimination in transport charges and facilities against Allied ports. Free zones in German lorts are to be maintained, and adequate facilities are to be provided tor trade requirement* without distinction of nationlity. Only certain limited charges are permissible in free ports. The Elbe, from the junction of the Vltava, Oldau, and Vltava, below Prague, to the Oder from its confluence with the Oppa, the Nieman below Grodt'o, and the Danube below Ulm are declared international, together with the portions of their affluents. Nationals' property, and flags of all States, are to be treated on a tooting of perfect equality, with subjects, etc\ r of riparian States, and various conditions are imposed to ensure facilities at reasonable charges and the maintenance of navigation under the supervision of the League of Nations and of international commbsions. These are to meet ir the near future and prepare projects for the revision of existing agreements, which are temporarily to remain in force.

Germany is to hand over within three months from notification a proportion of its river shipping, tugs, and material. In the case of the Danube, a former Commission is to resume its pre-war powers, but onlyGreat Britain, France, Italy, and

llouinania are to be represented on it. From the point where tlie competence of the Commission ceases, an International Commission m to be appointed to administer the whole upper .Danube until a definite statute ib -urnrod at. Provision is also mado for a deep-draught Rhine-Danube connl, should it be dtecided to construct it, ■within 25 years.

Tlie Rhine-Moselle forms the subject of a special series of clauses. T3ie Convention of 1868 is in general to remain ii force, with important modifications. Tlh? expanded Central Commission is to sit at Stra»burg, France to name tlie president. As Holland is a party to this Convention the modifications si re subject to her assent. Within thiec months Germany is to hand over to France a proportion of tugs and river shipping.from tlie Rhino harbours, or shim-s in the German navigation companies A proportion of buildings, tugs, etc., owned l>y the Germans in Rotterdam harbour on the Ist August, 1914. or shares in such concerns, is similarly to be handed over.

Franco is to have full rights all along her own frontier, the use of water froi 1 the Rhine for canails, etc., and carry out works for deriving motive power subject to certain payments and to the consent of the Commission. Germany is to undertake to make no canals on the right bank opposite the French frontier, and grant. France certain privileges on the right bank for the establishment of certain engineering works, subject to the payment of <:ompensation. Switzer. land is also entitled to demand similar rights for the upper part of the river. Jf within 25 years Belgium has decided to construct the Rhine-Meuse canal the German Government os bound to construct such parts of it as fall within German territory according to plans drawn up by the Belgian Government. Expenses will be divided among

the various States. Germany is to make no objection to the Commission extending its jurisdiction, if desired, to the Lower MoselJe with the consent of the Luxemburg Government, to the Upper Rhine with the consent of the Swiss Government, and to lateral canals and waterways which may be constructed to improve navigation. The- German Government is to lease to the Czechoslovak Republic for 99 years areas in the harbours of Hamburg and Stettin as free zones. RAILWAYS. The railway clauses provide that goods consigned from or to Allied States to or from Germany, or in transit through Germany, are entitled generally to the most favourable conditions available. Certain rail-way tariff questions are dealt with. When a new Railway Convention has replaced the Berne Convention of 1890, it will be binding on Germany. In the meantime she is to follow the Berne Convention. Germany is to 00-operate in the establishment of passeoger and luggage services, with di. rect booking between the Allied States, over her territory, under favourable conditions, as well as emigrant trains services. Germany is to fit her rolling stock with apparatus for allowing its being incorporated with Allied goods trains and vice versa, without interfering with the brake system. Provision is made for handing over installations of lines in transferred territory and of an equitable proportion of rolling stock for use therein. Commissions' are to settle the working of. lines, linking up two parts of one country and crossing another, or branch lines passing from one country to another. In the absence of particular agreements. Germany is to allo'v such, lines to be built or improved, as may be necessary, to ensure good services between one Allied State and another, if called upon to do so within 25 years, with the concurrence of the League of Nations, the Allied States concerned paying the cost. Germany is to agree, at the request of the Swiss and Italian Governments, to the denunciation of the 1909 Convention as to the St. Gothard route. As a temporary arrangement, Germany is to execute instructions given in the name of the Allies as to the transport of troops, material, munitions, etc., transport for certain regions, and re-establishment of normal transport and coaßtal anl telegraphic services. Finally, Germany is to agree to subscribe to any general conventions regarding an international regime of transit —waterways, ports or railways—which may be concluded by the Allies with Jhe approval of the League of Natior.3, within five years. Differences are to be settled by the League of Nations. Cei^ain specified articles, e.g., those providing for equal treatment in the matters of tranwt and ranspor, are subject to revision by the League of Nations after five years. Failing 1«----vision, they will only continue in force in relation to any Allied State which grants reciprocal treatment. KIEL CANAL. The Kiel Canal is to remain free and open to ships of war and merchant ship*, ping of alf nations at peace with Germany, subject to goods and ships of all States being treated on terms of equality in use of the canal, and charges are to be limited 'to those necessary for the upkeep and improvement of tne canal, for which Germany is to be responsible. In cases of violation of these provisions, or disagreements ac to them, the States concerned may appeal to the jurisdiction established by the League of .Nations, and may demend the appointment of an international Commission, THE LABOUR CONVENTION* Under the provisions of the Labour Convention (1) An international conference is to be held annually to propose Labour reforms for adoption by the" States eonir posing the League of Nations. (2; There is to be a governing body to act as executive and prepare an agenda for the conference, and an mterna tional Labour Office for the collection and distribution of information and reports. The head of this office will be responsible to the governing body. (3) The annual conference will consist of four representatives from each State, two for the State and one each for employers and employed. Each delegate may vote independently. The conference •will have power to adopt, by a twothirds majority, recommendations or draft conventions on Labour matters. Recommendations or draft conventions so adopted must be brought by each State before the authority or authorities within whose competence the matter lies, for enactment, for legislation or other action. If a draft convention receives the approval of a competent authority, the State in question is under obligaticn to ratify it and carry it into j effect. Should any State tail to observe the above obligations, it will be open to the governing body to appoint a commission of inquiry, as a result of whose findings the league of Nations may take economic measures against the offending Stale. (4) Special provision is made to prevent any conflict with the constitution of T,he United States or other Federal States. (r>) To meet the case _of countries where climate, imperfect industrial development, or other special circumstances render Labour conditions substantially different to those obtaining elsewhere, the Conference must take the difference into account in framing any convention. A protocol attached to the convention provides that the first meeting will Im> held at Washington in the present year, and sets up an international organisation committee for that purpose. The protocol also contains the agenda for the first meeting, which includes the principle of an 8-hour day, the question of unemployment, and the employment of women and children, especially in dangerous trades. Appended to the section containing the Labour Convention is an affirmar tion by the high contracting parties of the methods and principles for regulating Labour conditions, which all industrial communities should endeavour to apply as far as their special circumstances permit. v Amongst these are that Labour should not be regarded merely as a commodity or article of commerce; the right of association for all lawful purposes for employer as well as for employed; payment to the employed of a wage implying a reasonable standard of life, as understood in their time and country; the adoption of the eight-hours day or fortyeight hours week, where it has not already been attained; adoptioni of a iweekly rest of at least 24 hours, including Sunday, where practicable; abolition of child labour and limitation of labour of the young, so as to permit the continuance of their education and proper physical development; the principle of equal pay for men and women for equal work; any legal standard for conditions of La-, boup to have regard in each country to the equitable economic treatment of all workers resident therein; provision for each State of a system of inspection for the protection of the employed in which women should take part. „ ■„. .^ r .^ .», w . 1

WESTERN EUROPE. This is a guarantee for the execution, of the Treaty. German territory to the west of the Rhine, together with the bridgeheads, will be occupied by the Allied and Associated troops for fifteen years. If conditions are faithfully carried out by Germany, certain districts, including the bridgeheads of Cologne, will be evacuated at the expiration of five years. Certain other districts, including the bridegheads of Coblenz, will be evacuaed after ten years, and the remainder, including the bridgeheads of Mainz will be evacuated after fifteen years. In case the Inter-Allied Reparation Committee finds that Germany has failed to observe the whole or part of her obligations either during occupation or after" the fifteen years have expired, the whole or part of the areas specified will be re-occupied immediately. If before the expiration of fifteen years, Germany complies with all the undertakings resulting from the present 'freaty, the occupying forces will be withdrawn immediately from Eastern Europe. Similarly all German troops at present in territories east of the new frontier shall return as soon as the Allies think the moment suitable. They are to abstain from all requisitions, etc., and are in no way to interfere with such measures for national defence as may be adopted by the Provisional Governments concerned. OCCUPATION OF TERRITORY, i All questions regarding occupation not provided for by the Treaty will be regulated by a subsequent convention or conventions which will have similar force and effect. MISCELLANEOUS. Germany agrees to recognise Ijhe full validity of the Treaties of Peace and additional conventions to be concluded by the Allied and Associted Powers with Powers allied to Germany, to agree to the decisions to be taken as to the territories of AustriaHungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, and to recognise the new States in the frontiers to be fixed for them by the high contracting parties in. the Treaty of July, 1918, between France and the Principality of Monaco. They agree that the Chairman of Commissions shall, under, certain circumstances, have a casting vote. The work of the religious commission maintained by German societies in territory transferred to or belonging to the Allied or an Associated Power, is to be continued under trustees appointed by those Powers. In a clause, Germany undertakes not to put forward any pecuniary claim against any Allied Powers signing the present Treaty based on events previous to the coming into force of the Treaty. Germany accepts all decrees, etc., as to German ships and goods made by any Allied prize court, and the Allies reserve the right to examine all decisions of the German prize courtsl The present Treaty, of which the French and English texts are both authentic shall be ratified, and the deposit of the ratification made in Paris as soon as possible. Various diplomatic provisions as to ratification follow. The Treaty is to enter into force in all respects for each Power on the date of its ratification. (The End.)