Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-08
Huns Lose Wide Strips Of Territory by Treaty

or armed forces less than 50 kilo
meters to the east of the Rhine
hold any manoeuvers, nor maintain
any works to facilitate mobilization
In case of violation, she shall b.
regarded as committing hostil'
act against the powers who sigl
the present treaty and as intending
to disturb the peace of the world
By virtue of the present treaty
Germany shall be bound to respont
to any request for an explanation
which the council of the league o
nations may think it necessary ts
address to her.
Alsace Lorraine to France.
Alsace Lorraine: After recogni
ton of the moral obligation to re
pair the wrong done in 1871 by Ger
many to France and the people o
Alsace Lorraine, the territories ced
ed to Germany by the treaty o
Frankfort are restored to Franc,
with their frontiers as before 1871
to date from the signing of the
armistice, and to be free Of all pub
lie debts.
Citizenship is regulated by de-
tailed provisions distinguishing
those who are Immediately restored
to full French citizenship, those
who have to make formal applica-
tons therefore, and those for whom
naturalization is open after three
years. The last named class. in
cludes German residents in Alsace-
Lorraine, as distinguished from
those who acquire the position OF
Alsace-Lorrainers as defined in the
treaty. All public property and all
private property of German ex-
sovereigns passes to France without
payment of credit. France is sub.
stituted for Germany as regards
ownership of the railroads and
rights over concessions of tramways
The Rhine bridges pass to France
with the obligation for their up
keep.
For five years manufactured
products of Alsace-Lorraine will be
admitted to Germany free of duty
to total amount not exceeding in
any year the average of the three
years preceding the war and textile
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 10
years.
Safeguard Property Rights.
For seven years, with possible ex-
tension to 10, the ports of Kehae
and Strassbourg shall be admin
istered as single unit by French
appointed and super
vised by the central Rhine COM
mission.
Property rights will be safeguard
ed in both ports and equality of
treatment as respects traffic assured
the nationals, vessels and good of
every country. Contracts between
Alsace-Lorrainers and Germans are
maintained save for Frances right to
lnnul on grounds of public interest.
Judgments of courts hold in certain
classes of cases, while in others
judicial execuature is first required.
Political COMBINATIONS during the
war are null and void and the obi
cation to repay war fines is estab-
ished as in other parts of allied ter
'itory.
Various clauses adjust the general
of the treaty to the spe-
;ial conditions of Alsace-Lorraine,
certain matters of execution being
eft to conventions to be made be-
ween France and Germany.
The Saar: In compensation for
he destruction of coal mines for
northern France and as payment on
account of reparation, Germany
,edes to France full ownership of
he coal mines of the Saar basin
With their subsidiaries, accessories
md facilities. Their value will be
estimated by the reparation COM
mission and credited against that
lccount. The French rights will be
governed by German law in force at
he armistice excepting war legisla-
ion, France replacing the present
owners whom Germany undertakes
o indemnify. France will continue
o furnish the present proportion of
:oal for local needs and contribute
n just proportion to local taxes.
The basin extends from the from
ier of Lorraine as re-annexed to
france north as far as St. Wendell,
on the west valley of the
,aar as far as Saarholzbach and on
he east the town of Homburg.
Governed By Committee.
In order to secure the rights and
Welfare of the population and to
to France entire freedom
n working the mines, the territory
will be governed by a committee
ppointed by the league of nations
nd consisting of five members, one
french, one native inhabitant of
he Saar and three representing
hree different countries other than
france and Germany. The league
will appoint member of the COM
mission as chairman to act as execu-
i've of the commission. The COM
mission will have all powers of gov
rnment formerly belonging to the
German empire. Prussia and Ba-
aria will administer the railroads
nd other public services and have
ull power to interpret the treaty
lauses.
The local courts will continue,
ut subject to the commission. Ex-
sting German legislation will re-
main the basis of the law, but the
commission may make modification
fter consulting a local representa-
i've assembly which it will organize.
t will have the taxing power, but
or local purposes only. New taxes
nust be approved by this assembly.
labor legislation will consider the