IV

THE TREATY

93

or coal, as the case may be, over many useless milesto satisfy the dictates of a political treaty or becauseobstructions have been established to the properlocalisation of industry.

in

There remain those Treaty provisions which relateto the transport and the tariff systems of Germany .These parts of the Treaty have not nearly the im-portance and the significance of those discussedhitherto. They are pin-pricks, interferences andvexations, not so much objectionable for their solidconsequences, as dishonourable to the Allies in thelight of their professions. Let the reader considerwhat follows in the light of the assurances alreadyquoted, in reliance on which Germany laid down herarms.

(i.) The miscellaneous Economic Clauses commencewith a number of provisions which would be in ac-cordance with the spirit of the third of the FourteenPoints,—if they were reciprocal. Both for importsand exports, and as regards tariffs, regulations, andprohibitions, Germany binds herself for five years toaccord most-favoured-nation treatment to the Alliedand Associated States. 1 But she is not entitled her-self to receive such treatment.

For five years Alsace-Lorraine shall be free to

1 Arts. 204, 265, 266, and 267. These provisions can only be extendedbeyond five years by tlio Council of the League of Nations.