SOCIETE DES NATIONS.
C.306. M. 115. 1926. I
E R R A T U M .
Genève, le 3 juin 1926.
E R R A T U M
BASSIN DE LA S AI? RE.
La liberté des transports et du transit sur les voies ferrées du Territoire de la Sarre.
Rapport de la Commission de Gouvernement en date du 21 mai 1926.
lote du Secrétaire général.
A la demande de la Commission de Gouvernement du Bassin de la Sarrej le Secrétaire général a 1 Thonneur dT informer les Membres du Conseil et de la Société des Nations de V erratum suivant dans 1 Toriginal du rapport de la Commission de Gouvernement en date du 21 mai 19 26,
A la page 9, ligne 18 du rapport, il faut lire :
T,"b) Service d rordre: Mais avant dT exploiter, il faut garder;il faudrait donc disposer ...... n
E R R A T U M
SAAR BAS HT
Freedom of Transport and Transit over the Railways of the Saar Territory.
Report by the Governing Commission dated May 21s t 19 26.
Note by the Secretary-General.
At the request of the Saar Basin Governing Commission the Secretary-General has the honour to inform the Council and Members of the League of an erratum in the original report of the Governing Commission, dated May 21st 19 26.
f The English translation of the passage in question(page 10, line 16 cf the report) should read :
^ } Discipline : But before the railway can be worked, it mustbe guarded; a body of .troops must be available to occupy immediately the points....... !T
Communiqué au Conseil et ̂ aux Membres de la Société,
LEAGUE OF N A ïl 033S .
junicated to th o C o u n c i l to the Members o f t h e
L e a g u e .
C c 30 6 cMa115= 1926 . I ,
G e n e v a , M- 2 9 th 1926 .
S A A R B A S I N .
F reedom o f T r a n s p o r t a n d T r a n s i t o v e r t h e R a i l w a y s o f t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y .
R e p o r t by t h e G o v e r n i n g Commiss ion d a t e d May 2 1 s t 1 9 2 6 .
Note by t h e S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l .
The S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l h a s t h e h o n o u r to
f o r w a r d f o r t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e C o u n c i l and
f o r t h e i n f o r m a t i o n o f t h e Members o f t h e L e a g u e ,
a r e p o r t f ro m t h e S a a r B a s i n G o v e r n i n g Commission
d a t e d May 2 1 s t 19 26 , c o n c e r n i n g f r e e d o m o f t r a n s
p o r t and t r a n s i t o v e r th e r a i l w a y s o f t h e S a a r
T e r r i t o r y .
T h i s r e p o r t h a s b e e n s u b m i t t e d by t h e
G o v e r n in g Com m iss ion i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e
C o u n c i l rs r e s o l u t i o n d a t e d March 1 8 t h , 1 9 2 6 , on th e
q u e s t i o n o f t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e l o c a l g e n d a r
m e r i e and t h e p r e s e n c e o f F r e n c h t r o o p s i n t h e S a a r .
GOVEBHEG G 01.11.11 SSI ΠOP THE SAAB. THRU I TOLY.
Saarbruct,
Hay 2 1 s t , 1 9 2 6 .
n s i a t l o n .
o The S o c r o t a r j r - G o n e r a l .
Si r,
A f t e r t a l c in g n o t e a t i t s m o o t i n g o f l.Iaroh 1 8 t h , 1926 ,x
of t h o G o v e r n i n g C o m m i s s i o n s r e p o r t d a t e d J a n u a r y 2 8 t h , 1926 ,
v/ i th r e g a r d t o " t h e m a n n e r i n w h ich i t w ou ld he p o s s i b l e , i n
t h e a b s o n c o o f t r o o p s , t o c a r r y i n t o e f f e c t s u b - p a r a g r a p h 3
of p a r a g r a p h 30 of t h e S a a r A n n ex t o t h e 'T ru s ty of V e r s a i l l e s ,
which l a y s down t h a t i t w i l l bo t h e d u t y of t h e G o v e r n i n g
C om m iss ion t o p r o v i d e i n a l l c a s e s f o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f p e r s o n s
and p r o p e r t y i n t h e S a a r B a s i n " , t h e C o u n c i l o f th o League o f
N a t i o n s a d d r e s s e d t o t h e G o v e r n i n g Commiss ion t h e f o l l o w i n g
i n s t r u c t i o n s : " P o n d i n g t h e c o m p l e t i o n o f th e w i t h d r a w a l o f
F r e n c h t r o o p s f r o m t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y , t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h o
G o v e r n in g Com m iss ion s h o u l d be d rawn t o t h e f a c t t h a t i t i s i t s
d u t y t o e n s u r e i n a l l c a s e s f r e e d o m o f t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t
o v e r t h o r a i l w a y s of t h o T e r r i t o r y " « The r e s o l u t i o n g o e s on
to s a y ; "The m e a s u r e s r e q u i r e d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e s h o u l d bo
p r e p a r e d ~ i n p a r t i c u l a r a R a i l w a y Commit tee p o s s e s s i n g t h e
n e c e s s a r y p o w e r s s h o u l d be a t t h e d i s p o s a l of tho G o v e rn in g
C o m m is s io n " . The C o u n c i l o f tho l e a g u e of Ed t i e n s i n v i t e d
th e G o v e r n i n g Co m m iss io n t o s u b m i t t o i t p r o p o s a l s on t h i s
sub j co t .
x, C .40 Ji.20.1926 .1.
- 2 -
The G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion w i s h e s to p o i n t on t i n
the f i r s t p l a c e t h a t , i n i t s r e p o r t o f J a n u a r y 2 8 t h , 1926,
i t o n ly d e a l t w i t h t h e means o f p r o v i d i n g i n a l l c a s e s f o r
,rthe p r o t e c t i o n o f p e r s o n s a n d p r o p e r t y ” .
The p r o b l e m w i t h w h ic h i t i s now f a c e d i s to
ensu re i n a l l c a s e s f r e e d o m o f t r a n s p o r t and ' t r a n s i t ove r
the r a i l w a y s o f t h e T e r r i t o r y , a v e r y d i f f e r o n t p r o b l e m ,
which h a s become, a m a t t e r o f u r g e n c y owing to th e F r ench
G o v e r n m e n t s i n t e n t i o n , a s a n n o u n c e d a t t h e C o u n c i l ’ s
m e e t in g o f March 1 8 t h , 1 9 2 6 , to p r o c e e d s t e p by s t e p w i t h t h e
e v a c u a t i o n o f t h e F r e n c h t r o o p s s t a t i o n e d i n t h e S a a r »
The C o u n c i l of th e l e a g u e o f N a t i o n s e x p r e s s e s i t s
d e s i r e t h a t s p e c i a l p r e c a u t i o n s s h o u l d be t a k e n , p e n d i n g
the c o m p l e t i o n of t h i s w i t h d r a w a l , a n d i t g o e s on t o rocommend
that a Railway t i o m m i t t e e p o s s e s s i n g th e n e c e s s a r y power s h o u l d
p l a c e d a t ' t h e Governm ent C o m m i s s i o n ' s d i s p o s a l ,
I n o i l i e r t o r e p l y t o t h e C o u n c i l ' s q u e s t i o n s and
to be i n a p o s i t i o n t o p u t c o n c r e t e pro; posa I s b e f o r e i t , t h e
G overn in g Commiss ion h a s i n s t i t u t e d a t e c h n i c a l e n q u i r y .
The p u r p o s e o f t h i s e n q u i r y was to a s c e r t a i n t h e
n a t u r e a n d volume o f t r a n s p o r t a n d t r a n s i t o v e r t h e r a i l w a y s
of t h e T e r r i t o r y »
A , Military transport „
T h is t r a n s p o r t i n c l u d e s t h e t r a n s p o r t o f t r o o p s o r
m a t e r i a l by c o m p l e t e t r a i n s , t h e t r a n s p o r t o f i n d i v i d u a l waggons
of m a t e r i a l , p o s t a l t r a n s p o r t a n d t h e t r a n s p o r t o f i n d i v i d u a l s
(men on l e a v e o r d r a f t s ) ,t h e f i n a n c i a l y e a r
An a p p r o x i m a t e r e t u r n drawn u p f o r / 1925-1926 g i v e s
the fo l low ing f i g u r e s f o r these c l a s s e s of t r a n s p o r t :
L
- 3 -
a ) 17 9 c o m p l e t e t r a i n s o f t r o o p s or m a t e r i a l
c r o s s i n g th o S a a r t h e l a r g e s t num bers b e i n g 50 i n
November, 35 i n A p r i l , 32 i n Docembcr and 25 i n A u g u s t ;
b ) 65 s u p p l y t r a i n s a r r i v i n g a t S a a r b r u c k an d
then b r o k e n u p i n t o i s o l a t e d s e c t i o n s o r waggons ;
o) i n a d d i t i o n to t h e l a t t e r , a b o u t 1 ,7 0 0 s e p a r a t e
waggons c a r r y i n g s u p p l i e s , m a t e r i a l or a n i m a l s ;
d) 750 p o s t a l v a n s a n d 2 , 0 L 0 c o m p a r t m e n t s r e s e r v e d
f o r m i l i t a r y c o u r i e r s ;
e ) a b o u t I30r-140,0UQ i n d i v i d u a l s o l d i o r s ( s o l d i e r s
on l e a v e o r o t h e r s t r a v e l l i n g f r o m t h e £ h i n e l a n d to P r a n c e
and v i c c v e r s a ) ;
f ) L a s t l y , a b o u t 1 5 , 0 0 0 m i s c e l l a n e o u s p a c k a g e s con
veyed a s i n d i v i d u a l c o n s i g n m e n t s .
The m i l i t a r y t r a n s p o r t e n u m e r a t e d ab o v o b r o u g h t
i n a r e v e n u e o f 2 , 0 ^ 0 , 0 0 0 f r a n c s t o t h e S a a r R a i l w a y s d u r i n g
the p e r i o d u n d e r c c o n s i d e r a t i o n .
Th° ab o v e f i g u r e s r e f e r t o F ro n c h t r o o p s ; s i n c e
the e v a c u a t i o n o f t h e f i r s t z ane o f o c c u p a t i o n and t h e
t r a n s f e r o f t h e B r i t i s h t r o o p s to t h e . i o s b a d e n z o n e , tho
B r i t i s h a r m y ' s l i n o of c o m m u n i c a t i o n p a s s e s t h r o u g h S a a r b r t t c k .
S i n c e t h e n t h e B r i t i s h a u t h o r i t i e s h a v e r u n a d a i l y t r a i n
i n caoh d i r e c t i o n b e t w e e n ' , / i o sb a d e n a n d C a l a i s t h r o u g h
S a a r b r t i c k . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s t r a i n , w h i c h p r i n c i p a l l y
conveys s o l d i e r s on l e a v e , t h e B r i t i s h army p r o p o s e s t o r u n
s u p p l y t r a i n s o r t r a i n s c a r r y i n g r e l i e f u n i t s , and a l s o , i n
the n e a r f u t u r e , t r a i n s to c o n v e y u n i t s f ro m t h o Llayonce zono
to t r a i n i n g camps i n F r a n c e .
The eY R .G ti.3 ti o n o f t h e se o o n d o c c u p i e d zone w i l l no d o u b t
t e a c c o m p a n ie d by a d e c r e a s e i n t h o s t r e n g t h o f t h e A l l i e d a r m i e s
t u t t h e number o f p o i n t s o f on t r y i n t o t h e B h i n e l a n d Vi/ill u l s o
t e r e d u o o d (o <g , t h e l i n e t h r o u g h . A i x - l a - C h a p e l l e w i l l n i l o n g e r
t o u s e d ) , w h ich w i l l i n v o l v e t h o t r a n s f e r o f t h e t r a f f i c a t
p r e s e n t u t i l i s i n g t h i s l i n e and t h e T h i o n v i l l o - T r e v o s l i n o t o t h e
Saar l i n e s ,
B. C i v i l i a n t r a n s p o r t .
T h i s t r a n s p o r t i n c l u d e s ;
a) F o r p a s s e n g e r s :
11 i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r e i n s c o n n e c t i n g F r a n c e w i t h t h o
W ie s b a d e n d i s t r i c t , o r S t r a s b u r g w i t h t h e Co logne d i s t r i c t
v i a T r e v e s ;
- 121 t r a i n s r u n n i n g b e t w e e n F r a n o e and t h e S a a r ;
107 t r a i n s r u n n i n g b e t w e e n t h e S a a r and Germany;
141 t r a i n s w i t h i t i n e r a r i e s w h o l l y i n t h o S a a r .
b ) Goods;
To F r a n c o : 36 t r a i n s ;
From F r a n o e : 25 t r a i n s ;
To Germany: 14 t r a i n s ;
From Germany: 10 t r a i n s .
I n t e r n a l t r a f f i c o f t h e S e a r ; 25Ü t r a i n s a d a y .
These f i g u r e s i n c l u d e t h e o o a l t r a i n s l o a d e d by t h e S t a t e
m ines , f o r t h e d e s p a t c h c f w h ic h t h e G o v e r n i n g Commission
i s r e s p o n s i b l e u n d e r t h o T r e a t y o f Poaoo (§ 7 , )
- 5 -
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e m i l i t a r y t r a i n s m e n t i o n e d t-bovo ,
s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n s h o u l d b e d i r e c t e d t o t h e c i v i l i a n t r a n s p o r t
which a c c o r d i n g t o t h o t e r m s of t h e L o u g u e T s r e s o l u t i o n ,
mast be e n s u r e d i n a l l o a s e s ; t h i s i n c l u d e s , t h e 11
i n t e r n a t i o n a l p a s s e n g e r t r a i n s and t h e c o a l t r a i n s , to which
may be added t h e t r a i n s n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e m a t e r i a l s u b s i s t e n c e
of t h e c o u n t r y ( e - .g . f o o d s u p p l y ) , o r , t o sum u p :
244 m i l i t a r y t r a i n s p e r y e a r ;
11 i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a i n s )) p e r d a y .
16 c p o l t r a i n s )
I n o r d i n a r y t i m e s , i . e . , when n o t h i n g o c c u r s to d i s t u r b
tho no rm al w o r k i n g o f t h e S a a r R a i l w a y s y s t e m , i t i s n e c e s s a r y ,
in t h e i n t e r e s t s of t h e p o p u l a t i o n , t o m a i n t a i n d i s c i p l i n e among
tho t r o o p s c r o s s i n g t h e T e r r i t o r y , i n o r d e r t o a v o i d c o n f l i c t s
between th e m and t h o p o p u l a t i o n . I n t h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e bud g o t
cf t h e T e r r i t o r y i t i s a l s o n e c e s s a r y t o c h o c k th o t r a v e l l i n g
vouchers p r o d u c e d by p a s s e n g e r s o r a c c o m p a n y in g g o o d s , w h ic h
c o n s t i t u t e c l a i m s on t h e m i l i t a r y a u t h o r i t i e s i n f a v o u r of t h e
Railway s y s t e m . M o r e o v e r , i n t h e i n t e r e s t s b o th c f t h e army
end of t h o r a i l w a y s , i t i s e s s e n t i a l t o have an o r g a n i s a t i o n f o r
c e n t r a l i s i n g a t S u c r b r t l o k and d i r o o t i n g t o t h e i r f i n a l d e s t i n a t i o n s
the v a r i o u s u n i t s a r r i v i n g f r o m a l l p a r t s o f F r a n c o .
- 6 ~
A t t h o pro 8 o n t t i ra g t h e s e r e q u i r e m e n t s a r e m e t ;
1 . By a 1.2.12 v/a y Commit t e e a cn s i s t i n y o f some
15 p e r s o n s ( o n e - a u a r t e r r e g u l a r c f f i c a r s , o n o - q u a r t o r
t o o h n i o a l e x p o r t s w i t h t h e r an i : of o f f i c e r s , a n d o n e - h a l f
s u b o r d i n a t e s t a f f ) . 11 i n f o r m s tho r a i l x / a y management
i n a d v a n c e o f t h e t r a n s p o r t v/hich w i l l do r e q u i r e d ,
f i x e s th e e x e c u t i v e d e t a i l s w i t h i t s h e l p and a s s i s t s
i n d r a w i n g u p t h e f i n a n c i a l a c c o u n t s . T h i s R a i l w a y
C o m m i t t e e i s a n i n t e r - a l l i e d "body.
2 . U n d e r t h e o r d e r s o f th e R a i l w a y Commit too
t h e r e i s a p e r m a n e n t b t a t i v n C om m it tee c o n s i s t i n g of
t h r e e o f f i c e r s , s i x o r d e r l i e s , i n t e r p r e t e r s , e t c . , an d
one p o l i c e p o s t , manned by g e n d a r m e s ( a l t o g e t h e r some
t h r e e o f f i c o r s an d t h i r t y s o l d i e r s or g e n d a r m e s ) .
I t s c h i e f d u t i e s a r e t o h o o p o r d e r and t - i n s p e c t t r a n s
p o r t v o u c h e r s a n d t i c h e t s .
3 . The R a i lv/a y C o rami t to o a l s o h a s un d o r i t s
o r d e r s ;
S t a f f r e s p o n s i b l e f u r i n s p e c t i n g m a t e r i a l on a r r i v a l
and on r e - c o n s i g n m e n t ; a l t o g e t h e r a dozen men w i t h
one o f f i c e r and txro o r t h r o e IT .C . 0 . 1 s .
A t e l e g r a p h d e t a c h m e n t o f some t e n t e l e g r a p h an d
t e l e p h o n e o p e r a t o r s t o e n s u r e t h e t e l e g r a p h i c a n d
t e l e p h o n i c communications o f t h e R h in e ^ rm y by means
of t h e e x t e n s i o n s i n tho t>aar and a c r o s s t h o S a a r o f t h e
t e l e g r a p h a n d t e l e p h o n e l i n e s p l a c e d a t t h e d i s p o s a l
o f tOie R h i n e Army i n t h o Occupied Zone b y t h e German
Gov e r n m o n t .
T h e se v a r i o u s o r g a n i s a t i o n s v/hich e n s u r e t h e
good w o r k i n g o f t h e s e r v i c e b o t h i n tho i n t e r e s t s of
t h e p u b l i c and o f t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e S a a r
T e r r i t o r y a n d c o n s t i t u t e an a b s o l u t e minimum m u s t i n
any c a s o be r e t a i n e d .
As a c c o r d i n g to t h e t e r m s of th e C o u n c i l ' s
R e s o l u t i o n th e q u e s t i o n i s one o f e n s u r i n g i n a l l c a s e s
f r e ed o m of t r a n s p o r t a n d t r a n s i t , i t i s n e c e s s a r y to
c o n s i d e r how t h e o b l i g a t i o n l a i d b y th e L e a g u e of
E a t i o n s upon t h e G o v e r n i n g C o m m iss io n can be f u l f i l l e d
i n t h e caso o f d i s t u r b a n c e o r o f a p a r t i a l o r g e n e r a l
s t r i k e .
T a k i n g t h e e x t r e m e c a s o o f a g e n e r a l s t r i k e ,
t h e o b j e c t i s t o e n s u r e t h e r u n n i n g o f t h o minimum o f
i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r c o m m e r c i a l t r a i n s ( i n c l u d i n g c o a l t r a i n s )
i n d i c a t e d a b f o e ; w h i l e e n d e a v o u r i n g » i n o r d e r t o s a v e
e f f o r t a s f a r a s p o s s i b l e - t c r e s t r i c t t h e s p h e r e i n
which i n t e r ; " e n t i o n v/ould bo n e c e s s a r y .
I f we c o n s i d e r t h e r a i l w a y s u t i l i s e d a s l i n o s
of c o m m u n i c a t i o n b y t h e a r m i e s o r f o l l o w e d b y s t r e a m s
of t r a f f i c c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e c i v i l i a n t r a i n s e n u m e r a t e d
above we f i n d t h a t , a s a f i r s t s t e p , t h e f o l l o w i n g l i n e s
cou ld be e l i m i n a t e d .
V o I k l i n g en t o L e b a c h ,D i l l i n g e n t o L i m b a c h ,Werame t s we H e r to P r imswe i 1 o r ,8 t - v / e n d e l t o T h o l e y ,IPl’a-s t enhau sen to Cr o c s ~P, o s s e i n ,B u r b a c h t o Von d o r H e y d t .
T j a f f i c on t h o s e l i n e s c o u l d "be r e su m e d
l a t e r , e i t h e r t o m e e t l o c a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o r to c a r r y
e s s e n t i a l t r a n s p o r t d i v e r t e d owing to tho i n t e r
c e p t i o n o f t h e l i n e s n o r m a l l y u s e d .
The e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e g e n e r a l s t r i k e i n
1920 i s i n s t r u c t i v e a s r e g a r d a t h e e v e n t s w h i c h may
be a p p r e h e n d e d . T h i s s t r i k e v/as a c c o m p a n i e d by
the t o t a l d e f e c t i o n o f a l l t h e a g e n t s , o f f i c i a l s an d
workmen. A l t h o u g h no d e s t r u c t i o n t o o k p l a c e a n d
t h e r e v/as no a c t u a l s a b o t a g e , t h e r e were v a r i o u s
o c c u r r e n c e s w h i c h m i g h t h a v e s e r i o u s l y e n d a n g e r e d
the l i v e s o f t h e p a s s e n g e r s a n d t h o r e g u l a r i t y o f
o p e r a t i o n .
1 c On A u g u s t 6 t h , 1 920 , i . e . , on tho f i r s t
day of t h e s t r i k e , i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a i n s r u n b y
m i l i t a r y p e r s o n n e l r a n o n t o d e a d - e n d s i d i n g s or
l i n e s n o t open t o n o r a a l t r a f f i c ; i t was o n l y
owing to t h e v i g i l a n c e o f t h e e n g i n e - d r i v e r s t h a t
those d a r g e r o u s d i v e r s i o n s o f t r a f f i c a r r a n g e d by t h e
o r d i n a r y s t a f f b e f o r e t h e y l e f t v/ork d i d n o t l e a d t o
s e r i o u s a c c i d e n t s .
g) The p r i n c i p a l l i n o s in t h e n e ighbourhood o f a number
0f s t a t i o n s were blookefl by t r u c k s or c a r r i c g e s d e l i b e r a t e l y p l a c e d
or l e f t r t t h o s e p o i n t s , i f npt t o c a u se a c c i d e n t s , v/hich i r o
always p o s s i b l e i n such c i r c i n s t a n c e s , a t any r: to t o h i n d e r
t r a f f i c . Thuse i n c i d e n t s o ccu rred d e s p i t e the r a p i d i t y w i t h which
troops were p o s t e d t o guard t h e l i n o s . The s t r i k e was n o t un-
oxnocted and t h e t r o o p s which at t h a t t i i e were d i s t r i b u t e d i n
d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f the T e r r i t o r y , a t Saarbruck , S a a r l o u i 3 ,
SuljbE.ch, Neunkirchon and Kombur g, hod. t h e r e f o r e b e e n warned
and t r a n s p o r t had b een a r r a n g e d f p r . The ord er was g i v e n a t
midnight a nd tho t r o o p s were a l l a t t h e i r p o s t s a t 6 a . 11.
The l e s s o n s o f t h i s s t r i k e c a n n o t bo i g n o r e d by the
Governing C o m n is s io n and t h e C ounc i l o f tho League o f N a t i o n s .
If in 1 9 2 D th e Govern ing Oonmis s i o n he. d n o t b e e n i n a p o s i t i o n , w i t h
t echn ica l m i l i t a r y h e l p , t o make a r r a n g e m e n ts t o en su r e the
freer1 on o f t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t - t o v /hich the C o u n c i l o f the
League o f N a t i o n s has drawn o u r a t t e n t i o n - and i f i t had no t been
able t o k e e n up t h e s e r v i c e n o t o n l y o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a i n s
litit o f c o a l t r a i n s , the n i n e s o f th e T e r r i t o r y , which have no
f a c i l i t i e s f o r s t o c k i n g t h e i r p r o d u c t s , would in a f e w d a y s have
bosn o b l i g e d to c e a s e o p e r a t i o n s and the s t r i k e o f p u b l i c
s e r v i c e s would have b e e n c o m p l i c a t e d by t h e unemployment o f
75 ,OOl m in e r s w i t h a l l tho d a n g e r s c o n s e q u e n t on su ch a s i t u a t i o n .
In t h e e v e n t Of any a t t e m p t to i n t e r f e r e raith t h e freedom
of t r a n s p o r t and- t r a n s i t we may a n t i c i p a t e p o s s i b l e a c t s o f
^obstruction, h u t i n any c a s e i n a l l p r o b a b i l i t y a t t e m p t s at s a b o t a g e
°f the k in ' -1 d e s c r i b e d a b o v e , w h i c h m ig h t have the g r a v e s t
consequences b o th f o r the l i ' e s o f p u s s e ngc-rs and w i t h regard to
resu m p t ion o f t h e s e r v i c e . This p o s s i b i l i t y g i v e s tho more
c~U3e f o r a la r m inasmuch as t h e 3aar l i n e s rui through v e r y broken
°om try in v/h ich c o n s t r u c t i o n s a r e numerous a net i t i s e a s y t o
Procure e irn lo s i v o s e i t h e r a t t h e m i n i n g d e p o t s or a t t h e f a c t o r y
- 10 -
v/hioh m a n u f a c t u r e s t h o n . I t w o u ld t h e r e f o r e s o eu n e c e s s a r y t o
p rovude f o r t h e g u a r d i n g o f tho b r i d g e s or a r t i f i c i a l
c o n s t r u c t i o n s a nd o f t h e p o i n t y en d o t h e r i m p o r t a n t s p o t s a t
s t a t i o n s , i n o r d e r t o e n s u r e i n t h e l a t t e r e a s e t h a t t h e p o i n t s
s h o u l d n o t "be t e m p e r e d w i t h a f t e r the" p a s s a g e o f t r a i n s , m o r e o v e r
the sp e e d w i t h w h i c h t h o s e g u a r d s oa n h e p o s t e d i s one o f t h o
mos t i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r s i n e n s u r i n g s a f e t y .
In a d d i t i o n t o t h i s g u a r d , o r o v i s i o n must b e made f o r
r e p l a c i n g e m p l o y e e s who l e a v e t h e i r w o r k . In t h o s e o i r e uns t a m e s
th e f o l l o w i n g p l a n o f a c t i o n may "bo c o n t e m p l a t e d :
a ) W o rk in g o f t h e R e i l v n y . T h i s w i l l "bo p r o v i d e d f o r "by th o
Ra i lw a y C om m it tee p l a c e d a t t h e d i s p o s a l of t h e G o v e r n i n g
Commission; t h e s n a i l s t a f f p f w h i c h i t c o n s i s t s i n n o r m a l
t im e s w i l l f o rm t h e n u c l e u s o f t h e new o r g a n i s a t i o n r e i n f o r c e d
by t h e r e q u i s i t e number o f t e o h n i c a 1 m i l i t a r y o f f i c i a l s ,
b ) D i s c i p l i n e . But b e f o r e a r r a n g i n g f o r t h o w o r k i n g o f t h e
r a i l w a y , a b o d y o f t r o o p s m u s t b e a v a i l a b l e t o g u a r d t h e p o i n t s ,
tho v i t a l " s p o t s a t t h e s t a t i o n s Qnfl t h o o h i e f b r i d g e s and
a r t i f i c i a l c o n s t r u c t i o n s , i t b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h i s i n i t i a l
f o r c e w o u l d l a t o r be s u p p l e m e n t e d by a d d i t i o n a l t r o o p s t o
guard a l l t h e d a n g e r o u s p o i n t s .
I f wo r e v i e w t h e m a i n p o i n t s w h i c h h a v e t o b e t a k e n i n t o
c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n e n s u r i n g t h e f r e e d o m o f t r a n s p o r t an d t r a n s i t ,
both m i l i t a r y a nd c i v i l i a n , u n d e r a l l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , we may
e s t i m a t e t h e f o r c e s n e c e s s a r y t o e n s u r e s a f e t y , i n t h e f i r s t s t a g e
( i . e . a v a i l a b l e f o r L x i e d i a t e a c t i o n ) on t h e f o l l o w i n g b a s i s :
- 11 -
Tho S a a r r a i l ' - a y ay $3 t o n ht. a 4 0 0 k i l o n c t r o a o f t r a c k , o f v i i i c h
g02 k i l o m e t r e s a r e u s o d by t h o t r a f f i c i n q u e s t i o n . Th j sc 302
j c i i o o e t r e a i n c l u d e 166 r e a l l y i rp o r t f -m t 0 ng i no or in g works w h i c h
a u s t Tdo k e p t c ons t e n t l y g u a r d e d , T h i s i s cf ono by d o u b l e g u a r d s ,
whose r e l i e f n u s t b o a r r a n g e d f o r , and c o n s e q u e n t l y a t l e a s t s i 2:
non a r e r e q u i r e d , o r * i n a l l , 100Û n o n . Be tw een t h o s t a t i o n s and
these works e t c . , and be tv/eon e v e r y two o f t h e l a t t e r , t h e r e a r e
p e t r o l s c o n s t a n t l y m o v i n g a b o u t - 312 b o a t s w i t h t r n mon t o e a c h
p e t r o l ......................................................................« ........................................................... 624 n o n
Those p a t r o l s a r 0 i n t e n d e d t o p r o v e n t s a b o t a g e , w h ic h n i g h t
go g i l y b r e a k t h e c o n t i n u i t y o f t h e t r a c k . The p e t r o l e y s t a u i s
the n o s t econ om ic n o n ,
2, Th-; S a a r a y s t e n i n c l u d e s 101 s t a t i o n s , o f w h ic h 7B, o f v a r y i r g
ciegreoa o f i n p o r t a no 0 , w i l l r e q u i r e g u a r d i n g ; t h e r e a r e a l s o
239 v u l n e r a b l e s p o t s o u t s 13 e t h e a r e a w h i c h c a n b e 0 ovurud by th o
guards p o s t e d i n t h e s t a t i o n b u i l d i n g a . These s p o t s ( p o i n t s ,
t u r n t a b l e s , p u n p s , e t c . ) n u s t be c o n s t a n t l y g u a r d e d by d o u b l e
s e n t r i e s , n n d n i l 1 r e q u i r e a f o r c e o f
239 x 6 ....................................................................................... 14 00 non
l inking p. t o t a l o f ........................................................................................ „ 300D non
This t o t a l d o e s no t i n c l u d e a u x i l i a r y s e r v i c e s (ri t i o n a , f a t i g u a s ,
oto, ) w h ich i n v o l v e a c o n s i d e r a b l e w a s tu g u .
In v i e w o f th e t e c h n i o a l c o n s id era t io na s o t f o r t h a b o v e ,
tho G overn ing Commission c o n s i d e r s i t e s s e n t i a l t h a t t h e Rai lway
6 om it t e e w h i c h th e C o u n c i l o f the League o f N a t i o n s p r o p o s e s
to p la c e a t i t s d i s r i o s a l s h o u l d c o n s i s t o f a number o f o f f i c e r s
W t e c h n i c a l 3 tu f f w i t 1 tho necessa ry p e r s o n n e l to d e a l w i t h
current b u s i n e s s end t o m a i n t a i n o r d e r , in t h e i n t e r e s t s o f the
population i t s e l f , among t r o o p s p as s in g t h r o u g h th e Saar T e r r i t o r y .
- I f i -
ï h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion a l s o c o n s i d e r s t h a t , i n o r d e r
to goo u r o t h o " f r o o d o m o f t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t o v e r t h e
r a i l w a y s s n t h e B a i l w a y C om m it tee s h o u l d h a v e a v a l l a b l o on
th e s p o t a s u f f i c i e n t f o r c e t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e i m m e d i a t e
g u a r d i n g o f t h o v i t a l p o i n t s on t h o r a i l w a y s , p o n d i n g t h e
a r r i v a l o f t h e t r o o p s s t a t i o n e d out s i d e t h e t e r r i t o r y whom t h e
G ovorn ing C om m iss ion h a s r e s e r v e d t h o r i g h t t o c a l l i n Toy t h o
i t s d e c i s i o n o f J a n u a r y 2 6 t h , 1926 > i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e p r o v i s i o n s
of t h e T r e a t y o f P e a c e , I f t h o s e a r r a n g e m e n t s were n o t m a d e ,
th e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion w ould ho f a c e d w i t h I n s u p e r a b l e
d i f f i c u l t i e s i n t h o e v e n t o f t h e r a i l w a y j u n c t i o n &t S a a r b r u o k
b e i n g d e s t r o y e d o r s a b o t a g e d ; t r a f f i c on t h o S u e r r a i l w a y
sy s tem would b e a t a s t e n d - s t i l l , and t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t s r e f e r r e d
to above w o u i d bo u n a b l e t o a r r i v e .
F o r t h o i m m e d i a t e g u a r d i n g o f t h o v i t a l p o i n t s on
t h e r v j . l v / a y s , 3 , 0 0 0 men w i l l bo r e q u i r e d .
S i n c e , h o v ;o v e r , 1000 S a a r g e n d a r m e s a r e a l r e a d y a v a i l a b l e ,
s i n e g i t i s n o t e s s e n t i a l t o s e t a g u a r d on a l l t h o l i n e s a t
the o u t s e t , and s i n c e some o f t h e m , su oh a s t h o s e i n t h e
B r i e s V a l l e y , can b e p r o t o o t e d a s q u i c k l y b y f o r c e s f r o m
Süarguem ines a s b y f o r c e s f r o m S a a r b r u c k o r a n y o t h e r p l a c e
in t h o T e r r i t o r y , t h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion , b e i n g a n x i o u s t o
re duoo t o t h e i r s t r i c t minimum t h o f o r c e s w h ich m u s t be k e p t
at tho R a i l w a y Commit t e e 1 s d i s p o s t a l i n t h o S u a r T e r r i t o r y ,
c o n s i d e r s t h a t a f o r c e o f two b a t t a l i o n s s h o u l d s u f f i c e . These
too b a t t a l i o n s s h o u l d bo s t a t i o n e d a s f o l l o w s , i n o r d e r t h a t
^ v i t a l l i n e s may be g u a r d e d w i t h o u t d e l a y : One b a t t a l i o n
^ S a e r b r u c k , h a l f a b a t t a l i o n a t S a a r g u e m i n o s , and h a l f
« b a t t a l i o n a t v a r i o u s p o i n t s on t h e Su 1 ab ac h - Hounki r o ho n-Homburg
Uns.
- 13—
These a r e t h e p r o p o s a l s w h ioh t h e Govern ing Cqmmission has the
honour tc. su b m it t n t h e C o u n c i l i n c o m p l ia n c e w i t h t h e l a t t e r Ts
repost o f l & r c h 1 8 t h 19864
The Govern ing Commission i s p a r t i c u l a r l y anx iou s f o r i t t o
•-g clear t h a t t h e Rai lway Commit t e e , w i t h t h e f o r c e s a t i t s ccun&nd,
ïeing p l s o e à a t t h e d i s p o s a l o f t h e G overn ing Commission, would
always be sub nr d in e t o t o t h a t body , a rd t h a t c o n s e q u e n t l y no a u t h o r i t y
ffpuld o v e r r id e t h a t o f t h e Govern ing Commission w i t h i n th e t e r r i t o r y .
The p r e s e n c e o f the R a i l w a y Committee , a s p rop osed by t h e C o u n c i l ,
in nn way c o n f l i c t s w i t h t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f paragraph 3 0 o f Annex 3
to Sect ion IV o f t h e Treaty o f P ea ce pf V e r s a i l l e s , and the s t r e n g t h
of the f o r c e s under i t s o r d e r s i n no way a f f e c t s t h e l e g a l a s p e c t
of the probiem-g-
The G o v ern in g Commission i s f u l l y s e n s i b l e o f t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
ntailed by i t s d u ty (on w hich t h e C o u n c i l l e y s su ch g r o a t s t r e s s ]
f ensuring i n a l l c a s e s freed om o f t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t over the
ailways o f th e T e r r i t o r y . I t i s c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h i s duty can on ly
9 e f f e c t i v e l y d i s c h a r g e d on th e c o n d i t i o n s i n d i c a t e d a b o v e .
The f o r e g o in g d e c i s i o n e x p r e s s e s the views o f th e m a j o r i t y of
he Governing Commission, In t h e c o u r s e o f the d i s c u s s i o n t h e
allowing d é c i s i o n s were r e a c h e d :
AÎ The G o v e r n i n g Commission i s o f o p i n i o n ( one member
isaent ing) ;
1) t h a t a Railway Committee s h o u ld be p la c e d e t i t s d i s p o s a l
a the T e r r i t o r y , as proposed by the Council ;
2) t h a t t h e n e c e s s a r y powers to be g i v e n to t h i s Committee
cM14 i n c l u d e c o n t r o l o f t h e t r o o p s d e t a i l e d in e x c e p t i o n a l
Souris t a n c e s t o a s s i s t i n m a i n t a i n i n g t r a f f i c and p r o t e c t i n g t h e
silvray sy s t e m o f t h e t e r r i t o r y .
The m a j o r i t y o f th e Commission i a o f o p i n i o n :
3) t h a t t h e f o r c e s e s s e n t i a l f o r the p r o t e c t i o n o f the r a i l w a y
Mara in e x c e p t i o n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s s h o u l d i n c l u d e a t l e a s t two
^tal ion s , s t a t i o n e d i n t h e Sear T e r r i t o r y .
- 14 -
TxiQ m i n o r i t y o f t ho G o v e r n i n g C o i t o i s s i o n exp I t i n t h e i r
a t t i t u d e i n t h e f o l l o w i n g t o r u s :
1) O p i n i o n o f l ir . G . ' f . S t e p h e n s , Cl n r d i a n -*3-jber and
Chairman o f t h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion o f t h e S a a r B r a i n :
I have tho h o n o u r t o e x p r e s s a y r e g r e t t h a t , a s Cha i rm a n o f .
tho G o v e r n in g Oooni s s i n n n f t h o S a a r T e r r i t o r y , I am u n a b l e t v a c c e p t
a l l t h e conc lu s i o n s o f t h e m a j o r i t y r e p o r t o f t h e G o v e r n i n g
C o m i s s i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s n e c e s s a r y t o e n s u r e i n a l l
cases t h o s a f e t y o f t r a n s p o r t an d t r a n s i t t h r o u g h t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y .
I c o n s i d e r t h a t , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e Cour o i l ' s d e c i s i o n s ,
be fo re t h e d e p a r t u r e o f t h o F r e n c h t r o o p s now s t a t i o n e d a t S a a r b r u c k ,
a Railway Com m it tee s h o u l d h e s e t up i n t h a t town and p l a c e d a t
tho d i s p o s a l o f t h e Govor n i n g C o m m iss ion , I t s h o u l d p e r f o r m i t s
d u t i e s u n d e r t h e o r d e r s o f t h e C o m m iss ion , a n d s h o u l d a c t a s
i n t e r m e d i a r y b e t w e e n t h e Commiss ion a n d t h e t r o o p s a t i t s d i s p o s a l .
Among i t s o t h e r r e s o u r c e s f o r e n s u r i n g t h e s a f e t y o f p a r s o n s and
p r o p e r t y an d o f t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t t h r o u g h t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y , t h o
S a i lw ay Commit tee s h o u l d , I t h i n k , h e r e a t i t s d i s p o s a 1 a c e r t a i n
e s s e n t i a l f o r c e o f t r o o p s , w h i c h w o u ld b e u s e d n n l y i n e x c e p t i o n a l
c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
T h i s e m erg e n c y f o r c e s h o u l d h e s t a t i o n e d o u t s i d e t h e S a a r
^ t e r r i t o r y , an d s h o u l d a l w a y s b o a t t h e d i s p o s a l o f t h o G o v e r n i n g
Commission, b u t s h o u l d n o t a c t e x c e p t i n s p e c i a l c a s e s .
These t r o o p s s h o u l d b e s t a t i o n e d , n o t i n s i d e t h o T e r r i t o r y , b u t
o u t s i â e an d n e a r t h e f r o n t i e r , a nd s h o u l d o n ly be c e l l e d upon by th o
Governing Com m iss ion i n e a s e o f e m e rg e n c y .
I am cmnosed t o t h e n r e s e n c e o f i n t e r a l l i e d or any o t h e r t r o o p s
in t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y , f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g r e a s o n s :
a ) In my o p i n i o n , t h e p r e s e n c e o f t r o o p s i n t h e T e r r i t o r y i s
i n c o m p a t i b l e "both w i t h t h e s p i r i t and v.i t h t h e l e t t e r o f t h e T r e a t y
°f i 'eace n f V e r s a i l l e s ;
- 15 ~*
Id 1 The G o v e r n i n g C om m iss ion i t s e l f h a s a l read y
d e c l a r e d i t s w i l l i n g n e s s to a s s m e f u l l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
fox t h e m a i n t e n a n c e o f o r d e r a n d t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f persons
aiid p r o p e r t y i n t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y , i n c l u d i n g m i n e s and
r a i l w a y s f w i th o u t ; t h e a s s i s t a n c e o f t r o o p s s t a t i o n e d
with in t h e t e r r i t o r y , provided t h a t s u f f i c i e n t fo rces a r e
plased a t i t s d i s p o s a l and under i t s o rd e r s , ou ts ide t h e
Terri tory "but n e a r i t s f r o n t i e r s , and not t o b e c a l l e d upon
except i n cases o f emergency*
I n ray o p i n i o n , t h e r e q u e s t o f t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e
Governing Co m m iss io n f o r n o t l o s s t h a n two b a t t a l i o n s o f
troops to be k e p t p e r m a n e n t l y i n t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y t t o
p ro te c t t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t o v e r t h e r a i l w a y s o f t h e S a a r ?
is c l e a r l y c o n t r a r y to t h e t e r m s o f t h e T r e a t y o f P e a c e an d
to th e v i e w s o f t h e G o v e r n i n g Co m m iss io n i t s e l f as e x p r e s s e d
to th e C o u n c i l o n J a n u a r y 2 8 t h 1 9 2 6 , and c o n s i d e r e d b y th e
Council on M a rch 1 8 t h 1 926 , The c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h i s r e q u e s t
will be n o t h i n g l e s s t h a n t h e p e r m a n e n t m a i n t e n a n c e i n t h e
Baar o f t h e two b a t t a l i o n s w h i c h are now on g a r r i s o n d u t y i n
the T e r r i t o r y , and t h e i r r e l i e f , i f n e c e s s a r y , by o t h e r
troops on t h e i r w i t h d r a w a l ,
I c o n s i d e r t h a t u n d e r t h e T r e a t y o f P e a c e no
a u th o r i t y c a n t a k e t h e p l a c e o f t h e a u t h o r i t y o f t h e G o v e r n i n g
Commission w i t h i n t h e T e r r i t o r y ,
For t h e f o r e g o i n g r e a s o n s I m u s t r e s p e c t f u l l y r e f u s e '
to a s s o c i a t e m y s e l f w i t h t h e who 1© o f t h e m a j o r i t y r e p o r t o f
the G o v e rn in g C o m m is s io n , and I d e s i r e w i t h a l l due r e s p e c t
to make t h e f o l l o w i n g p r o p o s a l :
The G o v e r n i n g C om m iss ion m a i n t a i n s the c o n c l u s i o n s
f o r t h i n i t s r e p o r t t o t h e C o u n c i l of the League o f H â t i o n s
^ J a n u a ry 28t h 1926 , an d r e q u e s t s the C o u n c i l to p l a c e a t i t s
^ s p o s a l , and u n d e r t h e Commission1 s o r d e r s , a s u f f i c i e n t f o r c e
of t r o o p s s t a t i o n e d o u t s i d e , b u t i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d o f ,
the S a a r T e r r i t o r y , i t being unders tood t h a t t h e s e t r o o p s
w i l l n o t be u s e d e x c e p t i n c a s e o f n e c e s s i t y . The G o v e r n i n g
Comission r e q u e s t s t h e C o u n c i l to a p p o i n t a n A l l i e d R a i l w a y
Committee, or o t h e r i n t e r m e d i a r y o r g a n , w h ic h should be
s t a t i o n e d a t S a a r b r u c k f a t t a c h e d to t h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion ,
and p l a c e d u n d e r i t s o r d e r s .
I t w o u ld be t h e d u t y o f t h i s b o d y to c o - o p e r a t e w i t h
the I n t e r - A l l i e d R a i l w a y C om m it tee i n t h e o c c u p i e d p r o v i n c e s ,
as an i n t e r m e d i a r y o r g a n b e t w e e n t h e G o v e r n i n g Commiss ion
and s u c h t r o o p s s t a t i o n e d o u t s i d e t h e t e r r i o t r y a s m i g h t be
p l a c e d a t t h e G o v e r n i n g C o m m i s s i o n ' s d i s p o s a l .
I I . O p i n i o n o f M. KOoSLIAilJ, S a a r member o f t h e
Governing C o m m iss io n o f th e S a a r B a s i n .
I n i t s R e s o l u t i o n o f M a rch 1 8 t h 1 9 26 , r e f e r r i n g to
the w i t h d r a w a l o f t h e F r e n c h t r o o p s f ro m t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y
in c o m p l i a n c e w i t h i t s w i s h e s , t h e C o u n c i l o f t h e League o f
Sat i o n s p o i n t e d o u t to t h e G o v e r n i n g C om m iss ion t h a t :
" P e n d i n g t h e c o m p l e t i o n o f t h i s w i t h d r a w a l , th e
a t t e n t i o n o f t h e G o v e r n i n g C o m m iss io n s h o u l d be drawn t o t h e
f ac t t h a t i t i s i t s d u t y t o e n s u r e , i n a i l c a s e s , f r e e d o m o f
t r a n s p o r t a n d t r a n s i t o v e r t h e r a i l w a y s o f t h e T e r r i t o r y »
and the m e a s u r e s r e q u i r e d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e s h o u l d be p r e p a r e d -
in p a r t i c u l a r , a r a i l w a y c o m m i t t e e p o s s e s s i n g th e n e c e s s a r y
powers s h o u l d be a t t h e d i s p o s a l o f t h e G o v e r n i n g C o m m is s io n " .
The m a j o r i t y o f t h e G o v e r n i n g C o m m iss ion c o n s i d e r s
t h a t , i n o r d e r t h a t t h i s d u t y may be d i s c h a r g e d , t h e r e s h o u l d
^ s e t up i n t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y a m i l i t a r y R a i l w a y C o m m i t t e e ,
which, i n o r d e r to p e r f o r m i t s w o rk , s h o u l d h a v e two b a t t a l i o n s
i t s d i s p o s a l to e n s u r e , i n a l l c a s e s , f r e e d o m o f t r a n s p o r t
^•or th e r a i l w a y s o f t h e T e r r i t o r y ,
I c a n n o t a c c e p t t h i s s o l u t i o n . I am no l e s s a n x i o u s
- 17 -
than ay c o l l e a g u e s to d i s c h a r g e t h e d u t y imposed upon the
G overn ing C o m m iss io n Toy th e T r e a t y o f P e a c e , and to com ply w i t h
tho s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n s o f t h e C o u n c i l , At t h e same t i m e , I
m c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e d u t y c a n , a n d s h o u l d , be d i s c h a r g e d i n a
diffèreBt way f r o m t h e way i n t e n d e d by th e ma. j r r i t y o f t h e
Governing Commission» My r e a s o n s a r e a s f o l l o w s : -
The m a i n t e n a n c e o f f r e e d o m o f t r a n s p o r t o v e r t h e r a i l
ways , w h i c h i s t h e d u t y o f t h e G o v e r n i n g Commiss ion u n d e r tho
Treaty o f P e a c e , and i s a l s o t h e d u t y to w h i c h th e C o u n c i l
s p e c i a l l y d raw s i t s a t t e n t i o n , i s , l i k e a l l t h e G o v e r n i n g
C o m i s s i o n ' s d u t i e s , one t h a t i t m u s t d i s c h a r g e i n p e r s o n and
cannot d e l e g a t e to a nybody e l s e . I do n o t t h i n k i t p o s s i b l e f o r
tho G o v e r n i n g Co m m iss io n to d e l e g a t e t h i s d u t y to a m i l i t a r y
Committee, w h i c h , e v e n th o u g h i t wore p l a c e d a t t h e G o v e r n i n g
C o m i s s i o n 1 s d i s p o s a l , wou ld be i n d e p e n d e n t and a c t on i t s own
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a s s o o n a s i t b e g a n to a c t a t a l l . I c a n n o t
conceive t h a t a m i l i t a r y R a i l w a y C o m m i t t e e , w i t h two b a t t a l i o n s
under i t s command, w o u ld a c t u a l l y a c c e p t t h e o r d e r s o f a n o n -
m i l i t a r y G o v e rn m en ts Qo.it e p r o p e r l y , t h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion
has a l w a y s , so f a r , t a k e n t h e u t m o s t c a r e t h a t tho r i g h t s and
du t ies e n t r u s t e d to i t by th e P e a c e T r e a t y s h o u l d r e m a i n i n i t s
own h a n d s , The c a s e now i n q u e s t i o n i s s u c h an i m p o r t a n t one
that i t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y n e c e s s a r y f o r th e G o v e r n i n g Commission
i t s e l f to r e t a i n a l l t h e r e l e v a n t r i g h t s an d d u t i e s a l l o t t e d t o
it by t h e P e a c e T r e a t y . I f t h e p r o p o s a l o f t h e m a j o r i t y o f tho
Governing C o m m iss io n i s p u t i n t o e f f e c t , t h e c o n s e q u e n c e w i l l be
that , i n t h e as sum ed e v e n t u a l i t y , f o r e i g n m i l i t a r y commands w i l l
g i v i n g o r d e r s r e l a t i n g to t r a f f i c i n t h e S a a r . I n t h a t c a s e
the G o v e r n i n g C o m m iss io n would be s u r r e n d e r i n g t h e r i g h t s and
duties a s s i g n e d to i t b y t h e T r e a t y o f P e a c e . I f i n d i t q u i t e
^ p o s s i b l e to b e l i e v e t h a t t h i s i s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e s p i r i t
the P e a c e T r e a t y , or w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n s o f t h e C o u n c i l .
- 18 -
This i s a p o i n t o f p r i n c i p l e on which I an e n t i r e l y a t omc
with the a t t i t u d e t a k e n up by the G overn ing Commission i n s i m i l a r
^ueations, and I c a n n o t , t h e r e f o r e , a c c e p t the p r o p o s a l o f the
majority o f t h e G o v e r n in g Commission.
I t i s s t a t e d i n the C o u n o i l r e s o l u t i o n t h a t ,rp end ing
the c o m p l e t i o n o f the w i t h d r a w a l o f t h e t r o o p s s t a t i o n s - d i n the
Saar T e r r i t o r y , s p é c i a l m e a su r e s must be taken to e n s u r e i n a l l
cases freedom o f t r a n s p o r t and t r a n s i t o v e r the r a i l w a y s o f the
T e r r i t o r y . ” Having r e g a r d to the C o u n c i l ' s d i s c u s s i o n s on the
quest ion o f t h e s e t r o o p s - d i s c u s s i o n s which have l a s t e d for
severa l y e a r s - I have n o t th e s l i g h t e s t doubt t h a t the C e u n c i l
i t s e l f f e e l s t h a t the F rench t r o o p s which a r e s t i l l s t a t i o n e d
in the S a a r s h o u l d be w i thd ra w n. The C o u n c i l rs i n t e n t i o n would
be thw arted , h o w e v e r , i f a t t h a t v e r y moment a m i l i t a r y R a i lw ay
Committee, w i t h two b a t t a l i o n s , were to be s e t up on a permanent
foo t ing i n the T e r r i t o r y . T h i s i s a f u r t h e r r e a s o n why I am
unable to a c c e p t the p r o p o s a l o f the m a j o r i t y o f the Governing
Commission.
L a s t l y , a s Saar member o f the Govern in g Commission, I
nust p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e S a a r p o p u l a t i o n whuld e n t i r e l y f a i l to
see why Fren ch t r o o p s s h o u l d become a permanent i n s t i t u t i o n i n
the T e r r i t o r y i n p u rsuance o f the p r o p o s a l o f the m a j o r i t y o f
the Governing Commission, s i n c e the p e o p l e c o n s i d e r , on t h e
basis o f the t e x t o f the Peace T r e a t y , t h a t f o r e i g n t r o o p s have
Qs r i g h t to be s t a t i o n e d i n the S a a r .
To e n a b l e the Govern ing Commission to e x e r c i s e i t s
eights and d i s c h a r g e i t s d u t i e s i n e v e r y e v e n t u a l i t y , i n
accordance w i t h the C o u n c i l r e s o l u t i o n o f March 1 8 t h , 1926 , I
would make t h e f o l l o w i n g p r o p o s a l :
- 19 -
( l ) T h o re s h a l l bo s a t u p i n t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y a s p e c i a l
S o u m is s io n t o t e Ice su c h s p e c i a l m e a s u r e s e s may bo n e c e s s a r y i n
g x c a p t i o n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , moro p a r t i c u l a r l y i n o r d e r t o
ensure f r e e d cm o f t r a n s p o r t o v e r che r a i l w a y s i n t h o l e x a i t o r y .
As a s u i t a b l e means o f c a r r y i n g o u t t h i s d u t y , t h e
"amerg e n e y a u x i l i a r y t e c h n i c a l c o r p s " ( t e c h n i s c h e N o t h i l f o )
eM 1,\ be s e t u p end a t t a c h e d t o t h e Com m iss ion on t h e l i n o s
of t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h ich h a v e b e e n f o rm e d i n Grsraarty arid
E ngland -, The S p e c i a l C o m m iss io n , w i t h t h o t o o h n i o a l c o r p s , w i l l
be u n d e r t h e i m m e d i a t e c o n t r o l o f t h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion , end
w i l l t a k e i t s o r d e r s f r o m t h e G o v e r n i n g Com m iss ion a l o n e , anü
from no - o t h e r a u t h o r i t y .
(g ) I n o r d e r t o be a b l e t o c a r r y o u t i t s d u t i e s i n
c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e f r e e d o m o f r a i l w a y t r a n s p o r t , b o t h w i t h i n
t h e T e r r i t o r y and i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a n s i t t r a f f i c , i n c l u d i n g t h o
t r a n s i t o f i n t e r - a l l i e d t r o o p s t o and f r o m t h o o c c u p i e d
t e r r i t o r i e s , t h e s p a c i a l Co m m iss io n s h o u l d i n c l u d e r a i l w a y
e x p e r t s a n d m i l i t a r y e x p e r t s t I f no m i l i t a r y e x p o r t s a r e
a v a i l a b l e i n t h e S a a r T e r r i t o r y i t s e l f , I s h o u l d h a v e no
o b j e c t i o n t o t h o i r b o i n g l e n t b y t h e i n t e r - a l l i e d t r o o p s .
I n o r d e r t o e n s u r e t h e d a i l y t r a n s i t o f i n t e r - a l l i e d
t r o o p s w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t , t h e i n t e r - a l l i e d a r m i e s may see end
ose o r more l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s t o t h e S p e c i a l Commissi o n 5
( 3 ) The S p e c i a l C o m m iss io n s h a l l bo a p e r m a n e n t body =
I t s m em b er sh ip i n n o r m a l t i m e s w i l l o f c o u r s e bo s m a l l , and
w i l l o n l y be i n o r e a s o d i n c a s e o f e m e r g e n c y .
( S i g n e d ) G.W. ST3PHSUS
