El Nuevo mexicano., 1919-05-08
The Saar Valley

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The Saar Valley
The Saar: In compensation for tn,
destruction OF coal mines for northern
France and as payment on account q
PREPARATION, Germany cedes to Franc,
full ownership OF the coal mines nj
the Saar basin with their subsidiaries
accessories and facilities.
Their value win be estimated by ths
PREPARATION commission and credited
against that account. The French
rights VIII be governed by German
law in force at the armistice except
ing war legislation, France replacing
the present owners whom Germany
| undertakes to indemnity.
France will continue to furnish the
present proportion OF coal for local
needs and contribute in just proper
tion to local taxes.
The basin extends from the from.
tier of Lorraine as re,annexed 10
France. north as far as st. Wendell, ia.
Guiding on the west the valley Of the
Saar as far as Saarh0lsebaeh and on
the east the town Of Homburg,
In order to secure the rights and
welfare OF the population and 10 guar
antee to France entire freedom In
working the mines, the territory viii
be governed by a commission appoint
ed by the league Of pations and ION.
sisting or five members, one French.
one a native ~inhabitaht of the Saar
and three representatives of three
different countries other than france
and Germany. The league will ap-
point q member OF the league to act
as executive OF the commission. The
commission will have all powers OF
government formerly belonging to the
German empire.
Prussia and Bavaria will admins
ter the railroads and other public
services and have full power to I'M
terpret the treaty clauses. The To-
cal courts will continue. but sub
ject TO the commission. Existing Ger
MAJ legislation will remain the has
Ia of the law, but the commission
may make modification after con
sulting a local representative assem-
bly, which II will organize. 1t will
have the taxing power, but for local
purposes only. New taxes must be
approved by this assembly. Labor
legislation will consider the wishes
OF the local labor organizations and
the labor program Of the league
French and other labor may be free
ly utilized. the former being free to
belong to French unions. All rights
acquired as to pensions and social
insurance will be maintained by Ger,
many and the Saar commission to
preserve order. The people viii pre-
serve their local orders religiously,
schools and language, but may vote |
only for local assemblies. They will
keep their present nationality ex,
cept SO far as individuals may
change it. Those wishing TO leave
will have every facility with respect
to their property. The territory will
form part of the French customs
system with export tax on coal and
metaIlurgieal products going to Ger
and for five years no
import duties on products OF her bas
In going to Germany or German pro.
ducts coming into the basin for 10.
cal consumption. French money may
circulate without restriction, After
fifteen years a plebiscite will be held
By communes to ascertain the desires
Of the population as to continuance
Of the existing regime under the
Of nations union with France
Or union with Germany. The right to
vote will belong to all inhabitants
oyer twenty, resident therein at the
signature. Taking into account the
opinions thus expressed the league
VIII decide the ultimate sovereignty
IN any portion restored to Germany
The German government must buy
but the French mines ut an apprais-
I'd valuation. X the price Is not paid
six months thereafter this
passes finally to France II
Iermany buys back the mines, the
league win determine how much of
he coal shall be annually sold Il
France.
Austria
German-Austfia :Germany reeog
lies the entire Independence Of Ger
lisnsAustria in the boundaries traced
Czecho-Slovakia
Czecho-Slovakia Germany recog
the entire Independence OF the
szeiho1Slovakia state, Including the
autonomous territory q fthe Rnthen
ans south Of the Carpathiaps, and &C,
the frontiers OF this state
IS to be determined, which IN the
of the German frontier, shall
oliow the frontier Of Bohemia in
.lineteen hundred and fourteen.
The usual atipulations as to ac-
Ipisiiion and change OF nationality
elbow.
Poland
Poland; Germany cedes to Poland
ho greater part Of upper Siiesia. Pos
n and the province Of West Prus.
Ia on The left bank Of the Yistuia
field boundary commission Of sew
representing the allied and
associated powers and one each repsll
esenting Poland and cermany