The most important articles in the Franco-German convention, which is
very long, may be summarized as follows:
Article 1. Direct repatriation, without regard for rank or
numbers, for sub-officers, Corporals, and soldiers who have been
in captivity at least eighteen months at the time when this
agreement goes into force: (a) who have reached the age of 40
years and are not yet 45, and are fathers of at least three living
children; (b) who have reached the age of 45, but are not yet 48.
Art. 2. Direct repatriation, man for man and rank for rank, for
sub-officers, Corporals, and soldiers in captivity for at least
eighteen months, and not included in any of the classes mentioned
in Article 1.
Art. 3. In the exchange provided for in Article 2 no distinction
will be made between sub-officers. Corporals will be ranked with
them.
Art. 4. Internment in Switzerland, without regard for rank or
numbers, for all officers in captivity at least eighteen months:
(a) who have reached the age of 40 years and are not yet 45, and
are the fathers of at least three living children; (b) who have
reached the age of 45 years, but are not yet 48.
Art. 5. Internment in Switzerland, man for man, regardless of
rank, for sub-officers in captivity at least eighteen months and
not included in the foregoing categories.
Art. 6. The order of priority for repatriation and internment
shall be determined by priority of captivity and by equal duration
of imprisonment after considering age. If this order cannot be
followed exactly, the repatriation of the prisoner who has to
remain shall not be delayed beyond two months at most.
Art. 9. Repatriation, without regard to rank or numbers, for
officers, sub-officers, Corporals, and soldiers who were taken
prisoner prior to Nov. 1, 1916, and who on April 15, 1918, find
themselves interned in Switzerland by reason of wounds or illness.