MULTILATERAL CONVENTIONS

[Sidenote:  Postal and telegraphic conventions.]

[Sidenote:  North Sea conventions.]

[Sidenote:  Arrangements with various nations.]

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 the new States.  She must agree as respects the radio-telegraphic convention to provisional rules to be communicated to her, and adhere to the new convention when formulated.  In the North Sea fisheries and North Sea liquor traffic convention, rights of inspection and police over associated fishing boats shall be exercised for at least five years only by vessels of these powers.  As to the international railway union she 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. or the Samoan Treaty of 1899, are relieved of all obligations toward Germany.

BILATERAL TREATIES

[Sidenote:  Renewal of treaties.]

Each allied and associated State may renew any treaty with Germany in so far as 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 governments representing 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 and other enemy States before August 1, 1914, and under treaties entered into by Germany and neutral States during the war.

PRE-WAR DEBTS

[Sidenote:  Clearing houses for pre-war debts.]

A system of clearing houses is to be created within three months, one in Germany and one in each allied and associated State which adopts the plan for the payment of pre-war debts, including those arising from contracts suspended by the war.  For the adjustment of the proceeds of the liquidation of enemy property and the settlement of other obligations each participating State assumes responsibility for the payment of all debts owing by its nationals to nationals of the enemy States, except in case of pre-war insolvency of the debtor.  The proceeds of the sale of private enemy property in each participating State may be used to pay the debts owed to the nationals of that State, direct payment from debtor to creditor and all communications relating thereto being prohibited.  Disputes may be settled by arbitration by the courts of the debtor country, or by the mixed arbitral tribunal.  Any ally or associated power may, however, decline to participate in this system by giving six months’ notice.