Part XII
Ports, Waterways, and Railways
Germany undertakes to grant complete freedom and equality of transport through her territories for persons and goods passing from or to the territories of any of the Allied and Associated countries, such goods in transit to be exempt from all customs and similar duties.
Similarly she grants to the Allied and Associated Powers equal freedom of navigation in all her ports and waterways. Free zones in German ports are to be maintained and adequate facilities are to be provided for trade requirements without distinction of nationality.
Portions of the Elbe, the Oder, the Niemen, and the Danube are declared international and placed under the supervision of the League of Nations and of International Commissions.
Provision is made for a deep draught Rhine-Danube Canal should it be decided to construct it.
The Rhine and the Moselle form the subject of a special series of clauses. With regard to the Rhine, France, to whom Germany is to hand over a portion of her shipping on that river, is given special rights and privileges.
Provision is made for a Rhine-Meuse Canal, should Belgium desire to construct it.
Exit to the north is given to the Czecho-Slovak State by the grant of a special use of the ports of Hamburg and Stettin.
Certain provisions are made with regard to railway service in Germany and in transferred territory.
The Kiel Canal is to remain free and open to ships of war and merchant shipping of all nations. If Germany fails to carry out the stipulations with regard to the Canal, appeal may be made against her to the jurisdiction of the League of Nations.