years no import duties on products of the basin going to
Germany or German products coming into the basin. For local consumption
French money may circulate without restriction.

[Sidenote: Plebiscite to be held after fifteen years.]

After fifteen years a plebiscite will be held by communes to ascertain
the desires of the population as to continuance of the existing regime
under the League of Nations, union with France or union with Germany.
The right to vote will belong to all inhabitants over twenty resident
therein at the signature. Taking into account the opinions thus
expressed the League will decide the ultimate sovereignty. In any
portion restored to Germany the German Government must buy out the
French mines at an appraised valuation. If the price is not paid within
six months thereafter this portion passes finally to France. If Germany
buys back the mines the League will determine how much of the coal shall
be annually sold to France.

SECTION IV

GERMAN AUSTRIA

[Sidenote: Independence to be recognized.]

"Germany recognizes the total independence of German Austria in the
boundaries traced."

CZECHO-SLOVAKIA

[Sidenote: Frontiers of the new State.]

Germany recognizes the entire independence of the Czecho-Slovak State,
including the autonomous territory of the Ruthenians south of the
Carpathians, and accepts the frontiers of this State as to be
determined, which in the case of the German frontier shall follow the
frontier of Bohemia in 1914. The usual stipulations as to acquisition
and change of nationality follow.

POLAND

[Sidenote: A Boundary Commission to be constituted.]

[Sidenote: Minorities to be protected.]

Germany cedes to Poland the greater part of Upper Silesia, Posen and the
province of West Prussia on the left bank of the Vistula. A Field
Boundary Commission of seven, five representing the allied and
associated powers and one each representing Poland and Germany, shall be
constituted within fifteen days of the peace to delimit this boundary.
Such special provisions as are necessary to protect racial, linguistic
or religious minorities and to protect freedom of transit and equitable
treatment of commerce of other nations shall be laid down in a
subsequent treaty between the principal allied and associated powers and
Poland.

EAST PRUSSIA

[Sidenote: Frontiers of East Prussia and Poland.]

The southern and the eastern frontier of East Prussia as touching Poland
i