ECONOMIC QUESTIONS.
For six months Germany shall impose no tariff duties higher than the
lowest in force in 1914. For wines, oils, vegetable oils, artificial
silk, and washed and scoured wool, the restriction obtains for two and
a half years more. For five years, unless extended by the League,
Germany must give favored-nation clauses treatment to Allied and
Associated Powers. She shall impose no customs tariff for five years
on goods originating in Alsace-Lorraine and for three years on goods
originating in former German territory ceded to Poland, with the right
of observation of a similar exception for Luxemburg.
SHIPPING.
Ships of the Allied and Associated Powers shall for five years and
thereafter under condition of reciprocity, unless the League
otherwise decides, enjoy the same rights in German ports as German
vessels, and have most-favored-nation treatment in fishing, coast
trade, and towage, even in territorial waters. Ships of a country
having no seacoast may be registered at some place within its
territory.
UNFAIR COMPETITION.
Germany undertakes to give the trade of the Allied and Associated
Powers safeguards against unfair competition, suppressing the use of
false wrappings and markings and on condition of reciprocity to
respect the laws and judicial decisions of Allied and Associated
States in respect of regional appellations of wines and spirits.
TREATMENT OF NATIONALS.
Germany shall impose no exceptional taxes or restrictions upon the
nationals of Allied and Associated States for a period of five years,
and unless the League acts, for an additional five years German
nationality shall not continue to attach to a person who has become a
national of an Allied or Associated State.
MULTILATERAL CONVENTIONS.
Some forty multilateral conventions are renewed between Germany and
the Allied and Associated Powers, but special conditions are attached
to Germany's readmission to several. As to postal and telegraphic
conventions Germany must not refuse to make reciprocal agreements with
new states.
She must agree, as respects the radiotelegraphic convention, to
provisional rules to be communicated to her. In the North Sea
fisheries, and North Sea liquor traffic, convention rights of police
and inspection over associated fishing boats shall be exercised for at
least five years only by vessels of these powers. As to the
international railway union, Germany shall adhere to the new
convention when formulated. China, as to the Chinese customs tariff
arrangement of 1905 regarding Whangpoo and the Boxer indemnity of
1901; France, Portugal, and Rumania as to the Hague Convention of
1903, relating to civil procedure; and Great Britain and the United
States as to Article III of the Samoa Treaty of 1899, are relieved of
all obligations toward Germany.
BILATERAL TREATIES.
Each Allied and Associated State may renew any treaty with Germany, in
so far as is consistent with the Peace Treaty, by giving notice within
six months. Treaties entered into by Germany since August 1, 1914,
with other enemy states, and before or since that date with Rumania,
Russia, and parts of Russia, are abrogated, and concessions granted
under pressure by Russia to German subjects are annulled. The Allied
and Associated States are to enjoy most-favored-nation treatment under
treaties entered into by Germany before August 1, 1914, and during the
war.
PREWAR DEBTS.
Clearing houses will be established, one in Germany, and one in each
Allied and Associated State for the payment of prewar debts and those
from contracts suspended during the war. For adjustment of proceeds of
liquidation of enemy property and settlement of other obligations each
state participating assumes responsibility for debts owing its
nationals, to nationals of enemy states, except in case of prewar
insolvency of the debtor. Proceeds of sale of enemy properties in each
participating state may be used to pay the debts owed the nationals of
that state. Disputes to be settled by the courts of the debtor
country.
ENEMY PROPERTY.
Germany shall restore or pay for all enemy property seized or damaged
by her, the amount to be fixed by a mixed tribunal. German property
within Allied or Associated States may be liquidated as compensation
for property of their nationals not paid for by Germany, who will
compensate her nationals for such losses.
Prewar contracts between Allied and Associated States--excepting the
United States, Japan, and Brazil,--and German nationals are canceled
except for debts for accounts already performed.
For the transfer of property, leases of land, mortgages, etc.,
arbitral tribunals of three members, one from Germany, and one each
chosen by Associated States, shall have jurisdiction over all
disputes.
INSURANCE.
Fire insurance contracts are not dissolved by the war even if premiums
have not been paid, but lapse at the date of the first premium falling
due three months after the peace. Life insurance contracts may be
restored by payment of accumulated premiums and interest. Marine
insurance contracts are dissolved by the outbreak of war except where
the risk insured against had already been incurred. Reinsurance
contracts are abrogated unless invasion has made it impossible for the
reinsured to find another reinsurer. Any Associated or Allied Power
may cancel all contracts running between its nationals and a German
life insurance company, the latter being obligated to hand over the
proportion of the assets attributable to such policies.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY.
Rights to industrial, literary, and artistic property are
reestablished. Special war measures of the powers are ratified, and
the right reserved to impose conditions on the use of German patents
and copyrights in the public interest. Except as between the United
States and Germany prewar licenses and rights to sue for infringements
committed during the war are canceled.