The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-08

of the world by virtue of the pres
respond to any request for an expIana-
ton which the council of the League
of Nations may think it necessary to
address to her"
Alsace-Lorraine = After recognition
of the moral obligation to repair the
wrong done in 1871 by Germany to
France and the people of Alsace-Lor-
raine, the territories coded to Ger
many by the treaty of Frankfort are
restored to France with their frontiers
as before 1871, to date from the sign
ing of the arInistice, and to be free
of all public debts.
Citizenship is regulated by detailed
provisions distinguishing those who
are Immediately restored to full
French citizenship, those who have to
make formal applications therefor,
and those for whom naturalization is
open after three years. The last nam
ed class includes German residents
in Alsace-Lorraine, as distinguished
from those who acquire the position
of A1Sace-Lorrainers as defined in the
treaty All public property and all
private property of German ex-sover-
eigns passes to French without pay
ment or credit. France is substituted
for Germany as regards ownership of
the railroads and rights over conces-
sions of tramways. The Rhine bridges
pass to France with the obligation for
their upkeep.
Contracts Hold Good
For five years manufactured pro-
ducts of Alsace-Lorraine will be adj
mitted to Germany free of duty to a
total amount not exceeding in any year
the average Of the three years pre-
ceding the war and textile materials
may be imported from Germany to
Alsace-Lorraine and re-exported free
of duty Contracts for electric power
from the right bank must be continued
for ten years.
For seven years, with possible ex-
tension to ten, the ports of Kehae and
/ Strassbourg shall be administered as
single unit by French administra-
tor appointed and supervised by the
Central Rhine Commission. Property
rights will be safeguarded in both
ports and equality of treatment as
respects traffic assured the nationals,
vessels and goods of every country.
Contracts between Alsace-Lorrainers
and Germa MS are maintained save for
Frances right to annul on grounds of
public interest judgments of courts
held in certain classes of cases, while
4 in others a judicial execuature is first
required. Political COMBINATIONS
during the war are null and void and
the obligation to repay war fines is
established as in other parts of allied
lgterritory.
Various clauses adjust the general
provisions of the treaty to the spe-
cial conditions of Alsace-Lorrafne,
certain matters of execution being left
to conventions to be made between
France and Germany
/ TT
i France Gets Coal Mines
The Saar-In compensation for the
destruction of coal mines in northern
France and as payment on account OF
PREPARATION, Germany cedes to France
full ownership of the coal mines OF
the Saar basin with their subsidiaries
accessories and facilities. Their value
will be estimated by the reparation
commission and credited against that
account. The French rights will be
governed by German law in force al
the armistice excepting war legisla
ton, France replacing the present
owners whom Germany undertakes tc
indemnify. France will continue tc
furnish the present proportion of Goa
for local needs and contribute in JUS
proportion to local taxes.
The basin extends from the frontier
of Lorraine as re-annexed to France
north as far as st. Wendell, includes
on the west the valley of the Saal
as far as Saarhelsbach and on the
east the town of Homberg.
Commission Government
In order to assure the rights anC
welfare of the population and to guar
antee to France entire freedom il
working the mines, the territory viii
? be governed by commission ap
, pointed by the League of Nations ant