Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-08
left to conventions to be made be-
tween France and Germany.

lett TO W Ue IQdQS De.
tween France and Germany.
THE SARRE-In compensation for
| the destruction Of coal mines in
Northern France and as payment on
account of reparation Germany cedes
to France full ownership of the coal
mines of the Sarre basin with their
subsidiaries, accessories and facili-
ties Their value will be estimated
by the PREPARATION commission and
credited against that account. The
French rights will be governed by
German law in force at the armistice
excepting war legislation, France re-
placing the present owners whom
Germany undertakes to indemnify.
Franco will continue to furnish the
present proportion Of coal for local
! needs and TO contribute in just pro-
! portion to local taxes. The basin ex-
tends from the frontier of Lorraine
as re-annexed to France north as far
as st. Wendell including on the west
/ the valley of the Sarre as far as Sar-
reholzbach and on the east the town
Of Homburg.
| In order to secure the rights and
welfare of the population and guar
| antee to France entire freedom i'll
working the mines, the territory will
| be governed by commission ap-
pointed by the League of Nations and
i consisting of five members. one
| French, one native inhabitant of
the Sarre, and three representatives
! of three different countries other
than France and Germany. The
League will appoint a member of the
, commission as chairman to act as
; executive Of the commission. The
commission will have all powers of
government formerly belonging to
the German empire. Prussia and Ba-
varia, will administer the railroads
and other public services and have
! full power to interpret the treaty
clauses. The local courts will con-
time. but subject to the commission.
Existing German legislation will re-
main the basis of the law but the
commission may make modification
! after consulting a local representative
assembly which it 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 organization and
! the labor program of the League.
/ French and other labor may be free
| ~ utilized. the former being free to
belong to French unions. All rights
acquired as to pensions and social in
surance will be maintained by Ger
many and the Sarre commission.
There will be no military service but
only a local gendarmerie to preserve
order. The people will preserve their
local assembly. religious liberties.
schools and language. but may vote
only for local assemblies. They will
keep their present nationality except
so far as individuals may change it.
Those wishing to leave will have ev-
cry facility with respect to their
property. The territory will form
part of the French customs system
with no export tax on coal and met
allurgical products going to Germany
nor on German products entering the
basin and for five years no import
duties on products of the basin going
to Germany or German products
coming into the basin for local con-
sumption. French money may cir
culate without restriction.
After fifteen years plebiscite will
be held by communes to ascertain the
desires of the population as to contin-
uance of the existing regime under
the League of Nations out of the I'M
ion with France or the union with
Germany. The right to vote will be-
long to all inhabitants over 20. res
ident therein at the signature of the
treaty. Taking into account the
opinions thus expressed the League
will decide the ultimate sovereignty
in any portion restored to Germany.
The German government must buy
out the French mines at an appraised
valuation. if the price is not paid
within six months thereafter this por-
ton passes finally to France. If
Germany buys back the mines the
League will determine how much of