t 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 re-annexed to France north as far as St. Wendel including on
the west the valley of the Sarre as far as Sarre Holzbach and on the
east the town of Homburg.

[Sidenote: To be governed by a commission.]

[Sidenote: A local representative assembly to be organized.]

In order to secure the rights and welfare of the population and
guarantee to France entire freedom in working the mines the territory
will be governed by a commission appointed by the League of Nations and
consisting of five members, one French, one a native inhabitant of the
Sarre, and three representing 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 Bavaria, will administer the railroads and other public
services and have full power to interpret the treaty clauses. The local
courts will continue, but subject to the Commission. Existing German
legislation will remain the basis of the law, but the Commission may
make modification after consulting a local representative assembly which
it will organize. It 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 organizations and the labor
program of the League. French and other labor may be freely utilized,
the former being free to belong to French unions. All rights acquired as
to pensions and social insurance will be maintained by Germany and the
Sarre Commission.

[Sidenote: Liberty of religion and language.]

There will be no military service but only a local gendarmerie to
preserve order. The people will preserve their local assemblies,
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 every
facility with respect to their property. The territory will form part of
the French customs system, with no export tax on coal and metallurgical
products going to Germany nor on German products entering the basin and
for five