ALSACE-LORRAINE After recognition of the moral obliga tion to repair the wrong done in 1871 by Germany to France and the people of Alsace-Lorraine, the territories ceded to Germany by the Treaty of Frankfort are restored to France with their fron tiers as before 1871, to date from the signing of the armistice, and to be free of all public debts.
Cithenship is regulated by detailed provisions distinguishing those who are immediately restored to full French cid tenship, those who have to make formal applications therefor, and those for whom naturalization is open after three years. The last named class includes German residents in Alsace-Lorraine, as distin guished from those who acquired the po sition of Alsace-Lorrainers as defined in the treaty. All public property and all private property of German ex-sovereigns passes to France without payment or credit. France is substituted for Ger many as regards ownership of the rail roads and rights over concessions of tramways. The Rhine bridges pass to France with the obligation for their up keep.
For five years manufactured products of Alsace-Lorraine will be admitted to Germany free of duty to a total amount not exceeding in any year the average of the three years preceding the war, and textile materials may be imported from Germany to Alsace-Lorraine and re-exported free of duty. Contracts for
electric power from the right bank must be continued for ten years. For seven years, with possible extension to ten, the ports of Kehl and Strassbourg shall be administered as a single unit by a French administrator appointed and supervised by the Central Rhine Commission. Prop erty rights will be safeguarded in both ports and equality of treatment as re spects traffic assured the nationals, ves sels, and goods of every country.
Contracts between Alsace-Lorraine and Germany are maintained save for France's right to annul on grounds of public interest. Judgments of courts hold in certain classes of cases, while in others a judicial exequatur is first re quired. Political condemnations during the war are null and void and the obliga tion to repay war fines is established as in other parts of allied territory.
Various clauses adjust the general pro visions of the treaty to the special con ditions of Alsace-Lorraine, certain mat ters of execution being left to conven tions to be made between France and Germany.