matia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Republic of Ragusa, the Venetian Republic or the Episcopal Principalities of Trient and Bressanone, may, subject to the approval of the Reparation Commission be transferred to the Government entitled thereto without payment. RELATING TO PART II, SECTION III 1. Treaty of Mutual Guaranty between Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy1 Done at Locarno, October 16, 1925; in force in accordance with article 10 September 14, 1926; the German Government notified signatory states that it regarded the treaty as no longer binding and introduced troops into the demilitarized zone, March 7, 1936; violation by Germany found by resolution of Council of League of Nations, March 19, 1936, and notified to signatories; negotiations for a fresh and wider understanding failed; France and the United Kingdom by exchange of notes with Belgium inter alia released Belgium from obligations toward them April 24, 1937; Germany by exchange of notes with Belgium affirmed Belgium's inviolability and integrity, October 13, 1937; Germany invaded Belgium and France, May 10, 1940. [The vertical rule indicates treaty text.] THE PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN REICH, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND OF THE BRITISH DOMINIONS BEYOND THE SEAS, EMPEROR OF INDIA, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF ITALY; Anxious to satisfy the desire for security and protection which animates the peoples upon whom fell the scourge of the war of 1914-18; Taking note of the abrogation of the treaties for the neutralisation of Belgium, and conscious of the necessity of ensuring peace in the area which has so frequently been the scene of European conflicts; Animated also with the sincere desire of giving to all the signatory Powers concerned supplementary guarantees within the framework of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the treaties in force between them; 154 League of Nations Treaty Series, p. 289. Have determined to conclude a treaty with these objects, and have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries: THE PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE: Dr. HANS LUTHER, Chancellor of the Empire; Dr. GUSTAV STRESEMANN, Minister for Foreign Affairs; HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS: M. EMILE VANDERVELDE, Minister for Foreign Affairs; THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC: M. ARISTIDE BRIAND, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN The Right Honourable STANLEY BALDWIN, M.P., First Lord of The Right Honourable JOSEPH AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.. HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF Italy: The Honourable VITTORIO SCIALOJA, Senator of the Kingdom: Who, having communicated their full powers, found in good and due form have agreed as follows: ARTICLE 1. The High Contracting Parties collectively and sev erally guarantee, in the manner provided in the following Articles, the maintenance of the territorial status quo resulting from the frontiers between Germany and Belgium and between Germany and France, and the inviolability of the said frontiers as fixed by or in pursuance of the Treaty of Peace signed at Versailles on June 28, 1919, and also the observance of the stipulations of Articles 42 and 43 of the said Treaty concerning the demilitarised zone. ARTICLE 2. Germany and Belgium, and also Germany and France, mutually undertake that they will in no case attack or invade each other or resort to war against each other. This stipulation shall not, however, apply in the case of: (1) The exercise of the right of legitimate defence, that is to say, resistance to a violation of the undertaking contained in the previous paragraph or to a flagrant breach of Articles 42 or 43 of the said Treaty of Versailles, if such breach constitutes an unprovoked act of aggression and by reason of the assembly of armed forces in the demilitarised zone, immediate action is necessary; (2) Action in pursuance of Article 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations; |