virtue of the present treaty Germany shall be bound to respond to any
request for an explanation which the council of the League of Nations
may think it is 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-Lorraine, the
territories ceded to Germany by the treaty of Frankfort are restored to
France with their frontiers as before 1871 to date from the signing of
the armistice, and to be free of all public debts.

Citizenship is regulated by detailed provisions distinguishing those who
are immediately resorted to full French citizenship, those who have to
make formal applications therefor, and those for whom naturalization is
open after three years. The last named class includes 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 the French
without payment or credit. France is substituted 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 upkeep.

Several clauses now follow providing for trade between Alsace-Lorraine
and Germany; the sanctity of existing contracts etc. French law replaces
German law. A convention to be made between France and Germany is to
settle many details.

THE VALLEY OF THE SAAR

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 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 at the armistice
excepting war legislation, France replacing the present owners whom
Germany undertakes to indemnify. France will continue to furnish the
present proportion of coal for local needs and contribute in just
proportion to local taxes. The basin extends from the frontier of
Lorraine as reannexed to France north as far as St. Wendel, including on
the west the valley of the Saar as far as Saarholzbach and on the east
the town of Homburg.

A MIXED GOVERNMENT PROVIDED

In order to secure the rights and welfare of the population and
guarantee