reasons, or an ultimatum with a conditional
declaration of war." Germany was a party to these
conventions.
Versailles Treaty
Breaces of certain provisions of the Versailles
Treaty are also relied on by the Prosecution Not to fortify
the left bank of the Rhine (Articles 42-44); to "respect
strictly the independence of Austria" (Article 80); renunciation
of any rights in Memel (Article 99) and the Free City of Danzig
(Article 100); the recognition of the independence of the
Czechoslovak State; and the military, naval, and air clauses against
German rearmament found in Part V. There is no doubt that action was
taken by the German Government contrary to all these provisions, the
details of which are set out in Appendix C. With regard to the Treaty
of Versailles, the matters relied on are:
1. The violation of Articles 42 to 44 in respect of the
demilitarized zone of the Rhineland;
2. The annexation of Austria on 13 March 1938, in violation of
Article 80;
3. The incorporation of the district of Memel on 22 March 1939,
in violation of Article 99;
4. The incorporation of the Free City of Danzig on 1 September
1939, in violation of Article 100;
5. The incorporation of the provinces of Bohemia and Moravia on
16 March 1939, in violation of Article 81;
6. The repudiation of the military, naval, and air clauses of the
Treaty, in or about March of 1935.
On 21 May 1935 Germany announced that, whilst renouncing the
disarmament clauses of the Treaty, she would still respect the
territorial limitations, and would comply with the Locarno Pact.
(With regard to the first five breaches alleged, therefore, the
Tribunal finds the allegation proved.)
Treaties of Mutual Guarantee,
Arbitration, and Non-Aggression
It is unnecessary to discuss in any detail the
various treaties entered into by Germany with other Powers. Treaties
of mutual guarantee were signed by Germany at Locarno in 1925, with
Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy, assuring the maintenance
of the territorial status quo. Arbitration treaties were also
executed by Germany at Locarno with Czechoslovakia, Belgium, and
Poland. Article I of the latter treaty is typical, providing: All
disputes of every kind bewteen Germany and Poland . . . which it may
not be possible to settle amicably by the normal methods of
diplomacy, shall be submitted for decision to an arbitral tribunal .
. . . "