The Washington herald., 1919-02-05

principality of Teschen in consequence
of which the mining district OF Os-
trawa karvin and the railway from
Oderburg to Teschen and Jablungkau
has been occupied by the Czechs,
have declared as follows.
In the first instance they think
1t necessary to remind the national
tiles who have engaged to submit the
territorial questions which concern
them to the Peace Conference, that
they are breaking its decision to re-
frain from taking as a pawn or from
occupying the territories to which
they lay claim.
Lines Temporarily Set.
'The representatives take note OF
the engagement by which the Czech
delegates have declared that they
were definitely stopping their troops
on the line of the railway which runs
from Oderberg to Teschen Jablung-
kau.
Pending the decisions of the Peace
Conference as to the defnitive as
signnent of the territories that part
of the railway line to the north of
Teschen and the mining regions will
remain in the occupation OF Lzech
troops while the southern section OF
the line starting from and in :ludIng
the town of Teschen down to Jablung-
kau Will be entrusted to the military
supervision of the Poles.
The undersigned consider II indis-
pensable that a commission of control
should be Immediately sent to the
spot to avoid any conflict between the
Czechs and Poles in tho region OF
Teschen, this commission, apart from
the measures that it will have to pre-
scribe, will proceed to an inquiry or
the basis Of which the Peace Confer.
ence may form its decision in fixine
cefinitely the respective frontiers OF
the Czechs and Poles in the contested
zone.
In order to seal the entente be-
tween two friendly nations which
should follow a policy in full accord
with that of the allied and associated
powers the representatives of the great
powers register the promise of the
Czech representatives that their coun-
try will put at the disposition Of thu
Poles all its available resources In wal
material and will grant them ever,
facility for the transit OF arms ant
ammunition.
The exploitation of the mine.
Of the Karwin Ostrawa district will
be carried out in such a way as tc
avoid all infraction OF private prop.
erty. While reserving any police
measures which the situation may
require the commission of contro
will be approved to supervise this
and IL necessary to secure to the
Poles that part of the output which
may be equitably claimed by then
to meet their wants.
TT is understood that the locaI
administration will continue tc
function in accordance with the
conditions of the pact OF November
1918, and that the rights of minor
tiles will be strictly respected.
Pending the decision of the Peace
Congress, political elections and
military conscription will be sus-
pended in the principality OF
Teschen.
No measures implying annexation
OF all or of part OF the said princi-
pality either to the territory of Poland
or of Czecho-Slovakia taken by inter-
ested parties shall have binding force.
The delegates OF the Czech nation
engage to release Immediately, with
their arms and baggage, the Polish
prisoners taken during the recent con.
fict.
(SigneD D"WOODROw WILSON,
DAVID LLOYD GEORGE,
"V. ORLANDO.
&c. CLEMENCEAU.
ROMAN DMOWSKI
''E MES"