ioo THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE ch.

regulate the Rhine and the Danube . But on such

o

Commissions the States concerned should be repre-sented more or less in proportion to their interests.The Treaty , however, has made the internationalcharacter of these rivers a pretext for taking theriver system of Germany out of German control.

After certain Articles which provide suitablyagainst discrimination and interference with freedomof transit, 1 the Treaty proceeds to hand over theadministration of the Elbe, the Oder, the Danube, and the Rhine to International Commissions. 2 Theultimate powers of these Commissions are to bedetermined by "a General Convention drawn up bythe Allied and Associated Powers, and approved bythe League of Nations." 3 In the meantime the Com-missions are to draw up their own constitutions andare apparently to enjoy powers of the most extensivedescription, <c particularly in regard to the executionof works of maintenance, control, and improvementon the river system, the financial regime, the fixingand collection of charges, and regulations for naviga-tion." 4

1 Arts. 332-337. Exception may be taken, however, to the second paragraphof Art. 332, which allows the vessels of other nations to trade between German towns but forbids German vessels to trade between non-German towns exceptwith special permission ; and Art. 333, which prohibits Germany frommaking use of her river system as a source of revenue, may be injudicious.

2 The Niemen and the Moselle are to be similarly treated at a later date* if required.

3 Art. 338.

4 Art. 344. This is with particular reference to the Elbe and the Oder ;the Danube and the Rhine are dealt with in relation to the existingCommissions.