Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-08

c nny virtue tue, Of Of. the ,Prescn, treaty,
the council Of the league of nations
may think 1t necessary to address To
Alsacc Lorraine After recognition
Of the moral obligation TO repair the
wrong done in 1871 by Germany to
France and the people OF Alsacc-Lor-
raine. the territories coded to Ger
many by the treaty of Frankfort are
restored TO France with their frontier:
ing of the armistice and TO be free OF
all public debts.
An 10 Citizenship.
/ Citizenship IS regulated by detailed
I provisions DISTINGUISHING ,hose who
/ are immediately restored to fun French
/ citizenship. those who have to make
/ formal applications therefor and those
Tor whom naturalization is open after
I three years
The last manned class includes Ger
mar nan i, residents in Alsacc-L Lorraine as
thc position OF Alsace- Lorrainers as
defined in the treaty. All public prom
crtN and all private property of Ger
man eN-sorereigns passes To French
without payment or credit. France is
substituted for Germany as regards
ownership of tho railroads and rights
over concessions of tramwayS The
Rhine bridges pass To France with tho
obiieation for their up<ccp.
ror hve Years manufactured products
Of Alsace- .orraine will he admitted to
Germany free of duty to a total
amount not exceeding in any ycar lilo
a nv, OF The three years preceding
he war. and textile materials may DO
Imported from Germany to Alsacc-
lorraine and ro-cNportcd free of duty.
Contracts for electric power from tho
right bank must he continued for ten
years.
10 Administer German Ports.
FOR seven year: with possible extern
SION to ten. the ports Of Kehae and
Strassbours shall lie administered us
a single amt by a French administrator
appOincd and supervised bv the central
vii yn1hf he com Imnr,,n rroperty rights
equality of treatment as respects traf-
iic assured the nationals. vessels and
goods OF every country.
Contracts between Alsace- Lorrainera
ana Germars are maintained save for
RANGES right TO annul on grounds OF
pubic interest judgments Of courts
III others a judicial cNecuature is frst
required Political condcmnations dur
ms me war are nun and void. and the
nbiieation 10 repay war fines is estab-
IlShed as in other parts OF allied ter
ri'nry. w.
Various clauses adjust the eenor,,
provisions OF the treaty to the snnc,ai
conditions OF Aisace Lorraine. certain
matters OF execution being left TO con.
Ncnitons to he made between France
Sanr valley Mines Coded.
ihe Saar-l compensation Of the
ntst ruc'lon OF co" mines in northern
France and as payment on account If
PREPARATION. Germany cedes to France
iuil ownership OF the coal mines Of 1hc
Sdar basin with their subsidiaries ac
ceSsories and facilities. Their value
VIII be estiNated by tho rcparatio,
commission and credited against that
account The French rvh.s Will l..
'soverned by German law in forco AZ
me armisticc excepting war lr-:sla-
owners. whom Germany undertakes Ia
Indemnity. France will continue 10
furnish the present proportion ot coal
ior iosaI needs and contribute in just
proportion 10 local taxes.
The basin extends from the frontier
"H''h as far as St Wendell. me udirc
on the west tho valley Of the Saar
as far as Saarholzbach and on me c.st
the town of lloburG.
IN order TO secure the rights and
welfare of the nopuiation and 20 guar
antce 10 France entire freedom in
working the mines, the territory will
by the league Of nations and consist
ing OF I'VE members, one French. one
native inhabitant of the Saar and
inree representing three different
many The league will appoint
member OF the commission as chair
man 10 act as executive of tile COM
:A!3>.Jn
Commission Has itnlinI Powers.
The commission will have all powers
the German Empire. Prussia and Pa
varia Will administer re raiir"als AMI
other public services and have full
20 er 10 INTERPRET the treaty clauses.
subject 10 the commission. Existing
German legislation Will remain the
basis OF the law. but the commiss.c ON
may make modifica lion after consult
ing local representative assembly, !
which II Will organize. IL VIII have
IN" taxing power, hut for local pur-
poses only. New taxes must be APP
proved by this assembly. i.anor !egis-
lation vii! consider tho wishes OF the
local labor orsaniza tons and the labor
program Of the league. French and
other labor may be freely utilized. the
former being free TO belong TO Fret,ch
unions. All rights acquired as - pm
s!ons and social insurance will lie
maintained by Germany and tile Saar
commission. There Will be no military
service. but only a local genda"neric
20 preserve order. The peoale Will
preserve their local assemblies 'ci.ci-
Gus liberties, schools and language.
GU. may vote only for local assemblies.
rhey Will keep their present nation
al:ty except so far as individuals may
change It. Those wishing 10 cave viii
have evary facility with r"sptc: 20
part of the French customs system.
with no export tax on coal and metal
iursical products going to Germany
nor on German products entering The
duties on products Of the basin gong
TO Germany or German products com
ing into the basin for local conslmn-
ton. French money may circulate
without restriction.
PIcbiscitc TO he Held In Fifteen Ycarn.
After fifteen years plc3iscitc viii
be held by communcs TO ascertain the
desires Of the population as to con-
tnuance OF the existing regime under
the league of nations nnicn with
France or union with Germany. The
tight 10 vote VIII belong 10 all IN
habitants over twenty, resident there
in at their signature. Taking INFO
account the opinions thus expressed.
the league VIII decide the ultimate
sovereignty. In any portion restored
20 Germany the German government
must buy out the i'renc! mines a an
appraised yaiuation !. the price is
not pa witnid six months thereafter.
the portion passes finally tc France.
II Germany buys back the mines the
league, Will determine how much OF