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Latest revision as of 01:08, 5 November 2011
WWI Document Archive > Post - 1918 Documents > Peace Treaty of Versailles > Articles 1 - 30 and Annex
THE COVENANT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES, In order to promote international co-
operation and to achieve international peace and security by the
acceptance of obligations not to resort to war by the prescription
of open, just and honourable relations between nations by the firm
establishment of the understandings of international law as the
actual rule of conduct among Governments, and by the maintenance of
justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the
dealings of organised peoples with one another Agree to this
Covenant of the League of Nations.
ARTICLE 1.
The original Members of the League of Nations shall be those of the
Signatories which are named in the Annex to this Covenant and also
such of those other States named in the Annex as shall accede
without reservation to this Covenant. Such accession shall be
effected by a Declaration deposited with the Secretariat within two
months of the coming into force of the Covenant Notice thereof
shall be sent to all other Members of the League. Any fully self-
governing State, Dominion, or Colony not named in the Annex may
become a Member of the League if its admission is agreed to by two-
thirds of the Assembly provided that it shall give effective
guarantees of its sincere intention to observe its international
obligations, and shall accept such regulations as may be prescribed
by the League in regard to its military, naval, and air forces and
armaments. Any Member of the League may, after two years' notice of
its intention so to do, withdraw from the League, provided that all
its international obligations and all its obligations under this
Covenant shall have been fulfilled at the time of its withdrawal.
ARTICLE 2.
The action of the League under this Covenant shall be effected
through the instrumentality of an Assembly and of a Council, with
a permanent Secretariat.
ARTICLE 3.
The Assembly shall consist of Representatives of the Members of the
League. The Assembly shall meet at stated intervals and from time
to time as occasion may require at the Seat of the League or at
such other place as may be decided upon. The Assembly may deal at
its meetings with any matter within the sphere of action of the
League or affecting the peace of the world. At meetings of the
Assembly each Member of the League shall have one vote, and may not
have more than three Representatives.
ARTICLE 4.
The Council shall consist of Representatives of the Principal
Allied and Associated Powers, together with Representatives of four
other Members of the League. These four Members of the League shall
be selected by the Assembly from time to time in its discretion.
Until the appointment of the Representatives of the four Members of
the League first selected by the Assembly, Representatives of
Belgium, Brazil, Spain, and Greece shall be members of the Council.
With the approval of the majority of the Assembly, the Council may
name additional Members of the League whose Representatives shall
always be members of the Council; the Council with like approval
may increase the number of Members of the League to be selected by
the Assembly for representation on the Council. The Council shall
meet from time to time as occasion may require, and at least once
a year, at the Seat of the League, or at such other place as may be
decided upon. The Council may deal at its meetings with any matter
within the sphere of action of the League or affecting the peace of
the world. Any Member of the League not represented on the Council
shall be invited to send a Representative to sit as a member at any
meeting of the Council during the consideration of matters
specially affecting the interests of that Member of the League. At
meetings of the Council, each Member of the League represented on
the Council shall have one vote, and may have not more than one
Representative.
ARTICLE 5.
Except where otherwise expressly provided in this Covenant or by
the terms of the present Treaty, decisions at any meeting of the
Assembly or of the Council shall require the agreement of all the
Members of the League represented at the meeting. All matters of
procedure at meetings of the Assembly or of the Council, including
the appointment of Committees to investigate particular matters,
shall be regulated by the Assembly or by the Council and may be
decided by a majority of the Members of the League represented at
the meeting. The first meeting of the Assembly and the first
meeting of the Council shall be summoned by the President of the
United States of America.
ARTICLE 6.
The permanent Secretariat shall be established at the Seat of the
League. The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary General and such
secretaries and staff as may be required. The first Secretary
General shall be the person named in the Annex; thereafter the
Secretary General shall be appointed by the Council with the
approval of the majority of the Assembly. The secretaries and staff
of the Secretariat shall be appointed by the Secretary General with
the approval of the Council. The Secretary General shall act in that
capacity at all meetings of the Assembly and of the Council. The
expenses of the Secretariat shall be borne by the Members of the
League in accordance with the apportionment of the expenses of the
International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.
ARTICLE 7.
The Seat of the League is established at Geneva. The Council may at
any time decide that the Seat of the League shall be established
elsewhere. All positions under or in connection with the League,
including he Secretariat, shall be open equally to men and women.
Representatives of the Members of the League and officials of he
League when engaged on the business of the League shall enjoy
diplomatic privileges and immunities. The buildings and other
property occupied by the League or its officials or by
Representatives attending its meetings shall be inviolable.
ARTICLE 8.
The Members of the League recognise that the maintenance of peace
requires the reduction of national armaments to the lowest point
consistent with national safety and the enforcement by common
action of international obligations. The Council, taking account of
the geographical situation and circumstances of each State, shall
formulate plans for such reduction for the consideration and action
of the several Governments. Such plans shall be subject to
reconsideration and revision at least every ten years. After these
plans shall have been adopted by the several Governments, the
limits of armaments therein fixed shall not be exceeded without the
concurrence of the Council. The Members of the League agree that
the manufacture by private enterprise of munitions and implements
of war is open to grave objections. The Council shall advise how
the evil effects attendant upon such manufacture can be prevented,
due regard being had to the necessities of those Members of the
League which are not able to manufacture the munitions and
implements of war necessary for their safety. The Members of the
League undertake to interchange full and frank information as to
the scale of their armaments, their military, naval, and air
programmes and the condition of such of their industries as are
adaptable to war-like purposes.
ARTICLE 9.
A permanent Commission shall be constituted to advise the Council
on the execution of the provisions of Articles 1 and 8 and on
military, naval, and air questions generally.
ARTICLE 10.
The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as
against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing
political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any
such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such
aggression the Council shall advise upon the means by which this
obligation shall be fulfilled.
ARTICLE 11.
Any war or threat of war, whether immediately affecting any of the
Members of the League or not, is hereby declared a matter of
concern to the whole League, and the League shall take any action
that may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard the peace of
nations. In case any such emergency should arise the Secretary
General shall on the request of any Member of the League forthwith
summon a meeting of the Council. It is also declared to be the
friendly right of each Member of the League to bring to the
attention of the Assembly or of the Council any circumstance
whatever affecting international relations which threatens to
disturb international peace or the good understanding between
nations upon which peace depends.
ARTICLE 12.
The Members of the League agree that if there should arise between
them any dispute likely to lead to a rupture, they will submit the
matter either to arbitration or to inquiry by the Council, and they
agree in no case to resort to war until three months after the
award by the arbitrators or the report by the Council. In any case
under this Article the award of the arbitrators shall be made
within a reasonable time, and the report of the Council shall be
made within six months after the submission of the dispute.
ARTICLE 13.
The Members of the League agree that whenever any dispute shall
arise between them which they recognise to be suitable for
submission to arbitration and which cannot be satisfactorily
settled by diplomacy, they will submit the whole subject-matter to
arbitration. Disputes as to the interpretation of a treaty, as to
any question of international law, as to the existence of any fact
which if established would constitute a breach of any international
obligation, or as to the extent and nature of the reparation to be
made or any such breach, are declared to be among those which are
generally suitable for submission to arbitration. For the
consideration of any such dispute the court of arbitration to which
the case is referred shall be the Court agreed on by the parties to
the dispute or stipulated in any convention existing between them.
The Members of the League agree that they will carry out in full
good faith any award that may be rendered, and that they will not
resort to war against a Member of the League which complies
therewith. In the event of any failure to carry out such an award,
the Council shall propose what steps should be taken to give effect
thereto.
ARTICLE 14.
The Council shall formulate and submit to the Members of the League
for adoption plans for the establishment of a Permanent Court of
International Justice. The Court shall be competent to hear and
determine any dispute of an international character which the
parties thereto submit to it. The Court may also give an advisory
opinion upon any dispute or question referred to it by the Council
or by the Assembly.
ARTICLE 15.
If there should arise between Members of the League any dispute
likely to lead to a rupture, which is not submitted to arbitration
in accordance with Article 13, the Members of the League agree that
they will submit the matter to the Council. Any party to the
dispute may effect such submission by giving notice of the
existence of the dispute to the Secretary General, who will make
all necessary arrangements for a full investigation and consideration
thereof. For this purpose the parties to the dispute will
communicate to the Secretary General, as promptly as possible,
statements of their case with all the relevant facts and papers,
and the Council may forthwith direct the publication thereof. The
Council shall endeavour to effect a settlement of the dispute, and
if such efforts are successful, a statement shall be made public
giving such facts and explanations regarding the dispute and the
terms of settlement thereof as the Council may deem appropriate. If
the dispute is not thus settled, the Council either unanimously or
by a majority vote shall make and publish a report containing a
statement of the facts of the dispute and the recommendations which
are deemed just and proper in regard thereto Any Member of the
League represented on the Council may make public a statement of
the facts of the dispute and of its conclusions regarding the same.
If a report by the Council is unanimously agreed to by the members
thereof other than the Representatives of one or more of the
parties to the dispute, the Members of the League agree that they
will not go to war with any party to the dispute which complies
with the recommendations of the report. If the Council fails to
reach a report which is unanimously agreed to by the members
thereof, other than the Representatives of one or more of the
parties to the dispute, the Members of the League reserve to
themselves the right to take such action as they shall consider
necessary for the maintenance of right and justice. If the dispute
between the parties is claimed by one of them, and is found by the
Council, to arise out of a matter which by international law is
solely within the domestic jurisdiction of that party, the Council
shall so report, and shall make no recommendation as to its
settlement. The Council may in any case under this Article refer
the dispute to the Assembly. The dispute shall be so referred at
the request of either party to the dispute, provided that such
request be made within fourteen days after the submission of the
dispute to the Council. In any case referred to the Assembly, all
the provisions of this Article and of Article 12 relating to the
action and powers of the Council shall apply to the action and
powers of the Assembly, provided that a report made by the
Assembly, if concurred in by the Representatives of those Members
of the League represented on the Council and of a majority of the
other Members of the League, exclusive in each case of the
Representatives of the parties to the dispute shall have the same
force as a report by the Council concurred in by all the members
thereof other than the Representatives of one or more of the
parties to the dispute.
ARTICLE 16.
Should any Member of the League resort to war in disregard of its
covenants under Articles 12, 13, or 15, it shall ipso facto be
deemed to have committed an act of war against all other Members of
the League, which hereby undertake immediately to subject it to the
severance of all trade or financial relations, the prohibition of
all intercourse between their nations and the nationals of the
covenant-breaking State, and the prevention of all financial,
commercial, or personal intercourse between the nationals of the
covenant-breaking State and the nationals of any other State,
whether a Member of the League or not. It shall be the duty of the
Council in such case to recommend to the several Governments
concerned what effective military, naval, or air force the Members
of the League shall severally contribute to the armed forces to be
used to protect the covenants of the League. The Members of the
League agree, further, that they will mutually support one another
in the financial and economic measures which are taken under this
Article, in order to minimise the loss and inconvenience resulting
from the above measures, and that they will mutually support one
another in resisting any special measures aimed at one of their
number by the covenant breaking State, and that they will take the
necessary steps to afford passage through their territory to the
forces of any of the Members of the League which are co-operating
to protect the covenants of the League. Any Member of the League
which has violated any covenant of the League may be declared to be
no longer a Member of the League by a vote of the Council concurred
in by the Representatives of all the other Members of the League
represented thereon.
ARTICLE 17.
In the event of a dispute between a Member of the League and a
State which is not a Member of the League, or between States not
Members of the League, the State or States, not Members of the
League shall be invited to accept the obligations of membership in
the League for the purposes of such dispute, upon such conditions
as the Council may deem just. If such invitation is accepted, the
provisions of Articles 12 to 16 inclusive shall be applied with
such modifications as may be deemed necessary by the Council. Upon
such invitation being given the Council shall immediately institute
an inquiry into the circumstances of the dispute and recommend such
action as may seem best and most effectual in the circumstances. If
a State so invited shall refuse to accept the obligations of
membership in the League for the purposes of such dispute, and
shall resort to war against a Member of the League, the provisions
of Article 16 shall be applicable as against the State taking such
action. If both parties to the dispute when so invited refuse to
accept the obligations of membership in the League for the purpose
of such dispute, the Council may take such measures and make such
recommendations as will prevent hostilities and will result in the
settlement of the dispute.
ARTICLE 18.
Every treaty or international engagement entered into hereafter by
any Member of the League shall be forthwith registered with the
Secretariat and shall as soon as possible be published by it. No
such treaty or international engagement shall be binding until so
registered.
ARTICLE 19.
The Assembly may from time to time advise the reconsideration by
Members of the League of treaties which have become inapplicable
and the consideration of international conditions whose continuance
might endanger the peace of the world.
ARTICLE 20.
The Members of the League severally agree that this Covenant is
accepted as abrogating all obligations or understandings inter se
which are inconsistent with the terms thereof, and solemnly
undertake that they will not hereafter enter into any engagements
inconsistent with the terms thereof. In case any Member of the
League shall, before becoming a Member of the League, have
undertaken any obligations inconsistent with the terms of this
Covenant, it shall be the duty of such Member to take immediate
steps to procure its release from such obligations.
ARTICLE 21.
Nothing in this Covenant shall be deemed to affect the validity of
international engagements, such as treaties of arbitration or
regional understandings like the Monroe doctrine, for securing the
maintenance of peace.
ARTICLE 22.
To those colonies and territories which as a consequence of the
late war have ceased to be under the sovereignty of the States
which formerly governed them and which are inhabited by peoples not
yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous conditions of
the modern world, there should be applied the principle that the
well-being and development of such peoples form a sacred trust of
civilisation and that securities for the performance of this trust
should be embodied in this Covenant. The best method of giving
practical effect to this principle is that the tutelage of such
peoples should be entrusted to advanced nations who by reason of
their resources, their experience or their geographical position
can best undertake this responsibility, and who are willing to
accept it, and that this tutelage should be exercised by them as
Mandatories on behalf of the League. The character of the mandate
must differ according to the stage of the development of the
people, the geographical situation of the territory, its economic
conditions, and other similar circumstances. Certain communities
formerly belonging to the Turkish Empire have reached a stage of
development where their existence as independent nations can be
provisionally recognised subject to the rendering of administrative
advice and assistance by a Mandatory until such time as they are
able to stand alone. The wishes of these communities must be a
principal consideration in the selection of the Mandatory. Other
peoples, especially those of Central Africa, are at such a stage
that the Mandatory must be responsible for the administration of
the territory under conditions which will guarantee freedom of
conscience and religion, subject only to the maintenance of public
order and morals, the prohibition of abuses such as the slave
trade, the arms traffic, and the liquor traffic, and the prevention
of the establishment of fortifications or military and naval bases
and of military training of the natives for other than police
purposes and the defence of territory, and will also secure equal
opportunities for the trade and commerce of other Members of the
League. There are territories, such as South-West Africa and
certain of the South Pacific Islands, which, owing to the
sparseness of their population, or their small size, or their
remoteness from the centres of civilisation, or their geographical
contiguity to the territory of the Mandatory, and other
circumstances, can be best administered under the laws of the
Mandatory as integral portions of its territory, subject to the
safeguards above mentioned in the interests of the indigenous
population. In every case of mandate, the Mandatory shall render to
the Council an annual report in reference to the territory
committed to its charge. The degree of authority, control, or
administration to be exercised by the Mandatory shall, if not
previously agreed upon by the Members of the League, be explicitly
defined in each case by the Council. A permanent Commission shall
be constituted to receive and examine the annual reports of the
Mandatories and to advise the Council on all matters relating to
the observance of the mandates.
ARTICLE 23.
Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of international
conventions existing or hereafter to be agreed upon, the Members of
the League: (a) will endeavour to secure and maintain fair and
humane conditions of labour for men, women, and children, both in
their own countries and in all countries to which their commercial
and industrial relations extend, and for that purpose will
establish and maintain the necessary international organisations;
(b) undertake to secure just treatment of the native inhabitants of
territories under their control; © will entrust the League with
the general supervision over the execution of agreements with
regard to the traffic in women and children, and the traffic in
opium and other dangerous drugs; (d) will entrust the League with
the general supervision of the trade in arms and ammunition with
the countries in which the control of this traffic is necessary in
the common interest; (e) will make provision to secure and maintain
freedom of communications and of transit and equitable treatment
for the commerce of all Members of the League. In this connection,
the special necessities of the regions devastated during the war of
1914-1918 shall be borne in mind; (f) will endeavour to take steps
in matters of international concern for the prevention and control
of disease.
ARTICLE 24.
There shall be placed under the direction of the League all
international bureaux already established by general treaties if
the parties to such treaties consent. All such international
bureaux and all commissions for the regulation of matters of
international interest hereafter constituted shall be placed under
the direction of the League. In all matters of international
interest which are regulated by general conventions but which are
not placed under the control of international bureaux or
commissions, the Secretariat of the League shall, subject to the
consent of the Council and if desired by the parties, collect and
distribute all relevant information and shall render any other
assistance which may be necessary or desirable. The Council may
include as part of the expenses of the Secretariat the expenses of
any bureau or commission which is placed under the direction of the
League.
ARTICLE 25.
The Members of the League agree to encourage and promote the
establishment and co-operation of duly authorised voluntary
national Red Cross organisations having as purposes the improvement
of health, the prevention of disease, and the mitigation of
suffering throughout the world.
ARTICLE 26.
Amendments to this Covenant will take effect when ratified by the
Members of the League whose representatives compose the Council and
by a majority of the Members of the League whose Representatives
compose the Assembly. No such amendment shall bind any Member of
the League which signifies its dissent therefrom, but in that case
it shall cease to be a Member of the League.
ANNEX.
I. ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS SIGNATORIES OF THE
TREATY OF PEACE.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, BRITISH EMPIRE,
CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, NEW ZEALAND, INDIA, CHINA, CUBA,
ECUADOR, FRANCE, GREECE, GUATEMALA, HAITI, HEDJAZ, HONDURAS, ITALY,
JAPAN, LIBERIA, NICARAGUA, PANAMA, PERU, POLAND, PORTUGAL,
ROUMANIA, SERB-CROAT-SLOVENE STATE, SIAM, CZECHO-SLOVAKIA, URUGUAY
STATES INVITED TO ACCEDE TO THE COVENANT.
ARGENTINE REPUBLIC, CHILE, COLOMBIA, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY,
PARAGUAY, PERSIA, SALVADOR, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, VENEZUELA.
II. FIRST SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
The Honourable Sir James Eric Drummond, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Articles 27-30 Boundaries of Germany
PART II.
BOUNDARIES OF GERMANY.
ARTICLE 27.
The boundaries of Germany will be determined as follows:
1. With Belgium:
From the point common to the three frontiers of Belgium, Holland,
and Germany and in a southerly direction: the north-eastern
boundary of the former territory of neutral Moresnet' then the
eastern boundary of the Kreis of Eupen, then the frontier between
Belgium and the Kreis of Montjoie, then the northeastern and
eastern boundary of the Kreis of Malmedy to its junction with the
frontier of Luxemburg.
2. With Luxemburg:
The frontier of August 3, 1914, to its junction with the frontier
of France of the 18th July, 1870.
3. With France:
The frontier of July 18, 1870, from Luxemburg to Switzerland with
the reservations made in Article 48 of Section IV (Saar Basin) of
Part III.
4. With Switzerland:
The present frontier.
5. With Austria.
The frontier of August 3, 1914, from Switzerland to Czecho-Slovakia
as hereinafter defined.
6. With Czecho-Slovakia:
The frontier of August 3, 1914, between Germany and Austria from
its junction with the old administrative boundary separating
Bohemia and the province of Upper Austria to the point north of the
salient of the old province of Austrian Silesia situated at about
8 kilometres east of Neustadt.
7. With Poland:
From the point defined above to a point to be fixed on the ground
about 2 kilometres east of Lorzendorf: the fronticr as it will be
fixed in accordance with Article 88 of the present Treaty; thence
in a northerly direction to the point where the administrative
boundary of Posnania crosses the river Bartsch: a line to be fixed
on the ground leaving the following placcs in Poland: Skorischau,
Reichthal, Trembatschau, Kunzendorf, Schleise, Gross Koscl,
Schreibersdorf, Rippin, Furstlich-Niefken, Pawelau, Tscheschen,
Konradau, Johallnisdorf, Modzenowe, Bogdaj, and in Gerrmany:
Lorzendorf, Kaulwitz, Glausche, Dalbersdorf, Reesewitz, Stradam,
Gross Wartenberg, Kraschen, Neu Mittelwalde, Domaslawitz,
Wedelsdorf, Tscheschen Hammer; thence the administrative boundary
of Posnania northwestwards to the point where it cuts the Rawitsch-
Herrnstadt railway; thence to the point where the administrative
boundary of Posnania cuts the Reisen-Tschirnau road: a line to be
fixed on the ground passing west of Triebusch and Gabel and east of
Saborwitz; thence the administrative boundary of Posnania to its
junction with the eastern administrative boundary of the Kreis of
Fraustadt; thence in a north-westerly direction to a point to be
chosen on the road between the villages of Unruhstadt and Kopnitz:
a line to be fixed on the ground passing west of Geyersdorf,
Brenno, Fehlen, Altkloster, Klebel, and east of Ulbersdorf,
Buchwald, Ilgen,Weine, Lupitze, Schwenten: thence in a northerly
direction to the northernmost point of Lake Chlop: a line to be
fixed on the ground following the median line of the lakes; the
town and the station of Bentschen however (including the junction
of the lines Schwiebus-Bentschen and Zullichau-Bentschen) remaining
in Polish territory; thence in a north-easterly direction to the
point of junction of the boundaries of the Kreise of Schwerin,
Birnbaum, and Meseritz: a line to be fixed on the ground passing
east of Betsche; thence in a northerly direction the boundary
separating the Kreise of Schwerin and Birnbaum, then in an easterly
direction the northern boundary of Posnania to the point where it
cuts the river Netze; thence upstream to its confluence with the
Kaddow: the course of the Netze; thence upstream to a point to be
chosen about 6 kilometres southeast of Schneidemuhl: the course of
the Kuddow; thence north-eastwards to the most southern point of
the reentant of the northern boundary of Posnania about 5
kilometres west of Stahren: a line to be fixed on the ground
leaving the SchneidemuhlKonitz railway in this area entirely in
German territory; thence the boundary of Posnania north-eastwards
to the point of the salient it makes about 15 kilometres east of
Flatow; thence north-eastwards to the point where the river
Kamionka meets the southern boundary of the Kreis of Konitz about
3 kilometres north-east of Grunau: a line to be fixed on the ground
leaving the following places to Poland: Jasdrowo, Gr. Lutau, Kl.
Lutau, Wittkau, and to Germany: Gr. Butzig, Cziskowo, Battrow,
Bock, Grunau; thence in a northerly direction the boundary between
the Kreise of Konitz and Schlochau to the point where this boundary
cuts the river Brahe; thence to a point on the boundary of
Pomerania 15 kilometres east of Rummelsburg: a line to be fixed on
the ground leaving the following places in Poland: Konarzin,
Kelpin, Adl. Briesen, and in Germany: Sampohl, Neuguth, Steinfort,
Gr. Peterkau; then the boundary of Pomerania in an easterly
direction to its junction with the boundary between the Kreise of
Konitz and Schlochau; thence northwards the boundary between
Pomerania and West Prussia to the point on the river Rheda about 3
kilometres northwest of Gohra where that river is joined by a
tributary from the north-west; thence to a point to be selected in
the bend of the Piasnitz river about 1 1/2 kilometres north-west of
Warschkau: a line to be fixed on the ground; thence this river
downstream, then the median line of Lake Zarnowitz, then the old
boundary of West Prussia to the Baltic Sea. 8. With Denmark:
The frontier as it will be fixed in accordance with Articles 109 to
III of Part III, Section XII (Schleswig).
ARTICLE 28.
The boundaries of East Prussia, with the reservations made in
Section IX (East Prussia) of Part III, will be determined as
follows: from a point on the coast of the Baltic Sea about 1 1/2
kilometres north of Probbernau church in a direction of about
159° East from true North: a line to be fixed on the ground
for about 2 kilometres; thence in a straight line to the light at
the bend of the Elbing Channel in approximately latitude 54°
19 1/2' North, longitude 19° 26' East of Greenwich; thence to
the easternmost mouth of the Nogat River at a bearing of
approximately 209° East from true North; thence up the course
of the Nogat River to the point where the latter leaves the Vistula
(Weichsel);thence up the principal channel of navigation of the
Vistula, then the southern boundary of the Kreis of Marienwerder,
then that of the Kreis of Rosenberg eastwards to the point where it
meets the old boundary of East Prussia, thence the old boundary
between East and West Prussia, then the boundary between the Kreise
of Osterode and Neidenburg, then the course of the river Skottau
downstream, then the course of the Neide upstream to a point
situated about 5 kilometres west of Bialutten being the nearest
point to the old frontier of Russia; thence in an easterly
direction to a point immediately south of the intersection of the
road Neidenburg-Mlava with the old frontier of Russia: a line to be
fixed on the ground passing north of Bialutten; thence the old
frontier of Russia to a point east of Schmalleningken, then the
principal channel of navigation of the Niemen (Memel) downstream,
then the Skierwieth arm of the delta to the Kurisches Haff; thence
a straight line to the point where the eastern shore of the
Kurische Nehrung meets the administrative boundary about 4
kilometres south-west of Nidden; thence this administrative
boundary to the western shore of the Kurische Nehrung.
ARTICLE 29.
The boundaries as described above are drawn in red on a one-in-a-
million map which is annexed to the present Treaty (Map No. 1).
[See Introduction.] In the case of any discrepancies between the
text of the Treaty and this map or any other map which may be
annexed, the text will be final.
ARTICLE 30.
In the case of boundaries which are defined by a waterway, the
terms "course" and "channel" used in the present Treaty signify: in
the case of non-navigable rivers, the median line of the waterway
or of its principal arm, and, in the case of navigable rivers, the
median line of the principal channel of navigation It will rest
with the Boundary Commissions provided by the present Treaty to
specify in each case whether the frontier line shall follow any
changes of the course or channel which may take place or whether it
shall be definitely fixed by the position of the course or channel
at the time when the present Treaty comes into force.
WWI Document Archive > Post - 1918 Documents > Peace Treaty of Versailles > Articles 1 - 30 and Annex