Chapter XV: Appendix: VII

NAVAL

The Naval terms provide that within two months the German naval forces in commission must not exceed six battleships of the _Deutschland_ or _Lothringen_ type, six light cruisers, twelve destroyers, and twelve torpedo boats, or an equal number of ships constructed to replace them. No submarines are to be included, and all other warships are to be placed in reserve or devoted to commercial purposes. Germany may keep in commission a fixed number of mine-sweeping vessels until the mines within certain specified areas in the North Sea and Baltic have been swept up. After the expiration of two months the total exclusive personnel of the Navy must not exceed 15,000, including a maximum of 1500 officers and warrant officers. All German surface warships interned in Allied or neutral ports are to be finally surrendered. Within two months certain additional warships enumerated in the Treaty and now in German ports will be surrendered at Allied ports. The German Government must undertake the breaking-up of all German surface warships under construction. Auxiliary cruisers, etc., are to be disarmed and treated as merchant ships. Within one month all German submarines, salvage vessels, and docks for submarines capable of proceeding under their own power or being towed must have been handed over at Allied ports. The remainder and those under construction must be broken up by Germany within three months.

Material arising from the breaking-up of German warships may not be used except for industrial purposes, and may not be sold to foreign countries. Except under specified conditions for replacement, Germany is forbidden to construct or acquire any warships, and the construction or acquisition of any submarines whatever is prohibited. Vessels of war are only to have a fixed allowance of arms, munitions, and war material. All excess of arms, munitions and war material is to be surrendered, and no stocks or reserves are allowed.

The personnel of the German navy must be recruited entirely by voluntary engagements for a minimum period of twenty-five consecutive years for officers and warrant officers, and twelve consecutive years for petty officers and men, under various restrictions.

In order to ensure free passage into the Baltic Germany is not to erect any fortifications in certain specified areas, nor to install any guns commanding maritime routes between the North Sea and the Baltic. Existing fortifications within those areas are to be demolished and guns removed. Other fortified works within fifty kilometres of the German coast or on German islands are to remain, as being of a defensive nature, but no new fortifications may be constructed and the armaments may not be increased. The maximum stocks of ammunition allowed for such defences are 1500 rounds per piece for 4·1 inch guns and under, and 500 rounds per piece for guns exceeding that calibre.

The German wireless stations at Nauen, Hanover, and Berlin are not to be used for naval, military, or political messages without the assent of the Allied and Associated Governments during three months, but only for commercial purposes, under supervision. During the same period Germany is not to build any more high-power wireless stations.

AERIAL

The Air clauses provide that the armed forces of Germany must not include any military or naval air forces. Germany is, however, to be allowed to maintain a maximum of 100 unarmed seaplanes up to the 1st October 1919, to be exclusively employed in searching for submarine mines. The entire personnel of the air forces in Germany is to be demobilised within two months, except for a total of 1000 men, including officers, which may be retained up to October 1919.

Until the complete evacuation of German territory by the Allies and Associated troops, the aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall enjoy in Germany freedom of passage through the air, freedom of transit and of landing.

All military and naval aircraft (including dirigibles) and aeronautical material are to be delivered to the Allied and Associated Governments within three months, except for the hundred seaplanes already specified.