Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume V

Paris Peace Conf. 180.03401/15

CF–15

Notes of a Meeting Held at President Wilson’s House in the Place des Etats-Unis, Paris, on Thursday, May 15, 1919, at 11 a.m.

Paris, May 15, 1919, 11 a.m.

• Present
  • America, United States of
    • President Wilson.
  • British Empire
    • The Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George, M. P.
    • Secretary-General.
    • Sir Maurice Hankey, K. C. B
  • France
    • M. Clemenceau.
  • Italy
    • H. B. M. Orlando.
    • Secretary-General.
    • Count Aldrovandi.
• Also Present
  • America, United States of
    • Brig.-Gen. P. D. Lochridge.
  • British Empire
    • General Sir H. H. Wilson, G. C. B.
    • Rear-Admiral G. P. W. Hope, C. B.
    • Major-Gen. The Hon. C. J. Sackville-West, C. M. G.
    • Brig.-Gen. P. R. C. Groves, D. S. O.
    • Mr. P. Kerr.
  • France
    • General Belin.
    • General Duval.
    • Comdt. Lacombe.
    • Admiral de Bon.
  • Italy
    • General Diaz.
    • General U. Cavallero.
    • Admiral P. Thaon de Revel.
    • Admiral M. Grassi.
    • Capitano di Corvetta Ruspoli.

Joint Secretariat

British Empire	Major A.M. Caceia.
France	Captain A. Portier.
Interpreter—Prof. P. J. Mantoux.

Conditions or Peace—Austrian Military, Naval and Aerial Clauses

1. Military clauses of Austrian Conditions of Peace President Wilson said that the Austrian and Hungarian military, naval and aerial clauses, submitted by the military, naval air experts had been circulated (see Annex A and B). He suggested that the Council should in the first place consider any outstanding questions in regard to which differences of opinion existed between the experts.

Mr. Lloyd George said that the very first chapter of the draft military clauses (Article 2), raised a very big question of principle, which would have to be considered, not only in regard to Austria, but also in reference to all the new little States which might be formed. Should it be decided that each of these little States, including Roumania, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, were each to be allowed to maintain comparatively large Armies, nothing would keep them from going to war with one another. On the other hand, should Austria and Hungary be allowed to maintain Armies, whilst the other little States were prevented from doing so, the former would always intervene and so cause serious disturbances. This process could be seen at work at the present moment.

M. Clemenceau intervening remarked that these States were still at war.

Mr. Lloyd George replied that the little States he referred to were not actually at war with each other; they were supposed to be on friendly terms. Nevertheless the Poles and Ukrainians, the Poles and Czecho-Slovaks, were actually flying at each other’s throats. In his opinion, it was essential that the Council should lay down definite principles in regard to armaments, which would be applied to Austria, Hungary and all adjoining States.

Two alternative texts of Article 2 of the draft military clauses had been submitted by the Military Advisers. The great difference between the two proposals lay in the fact that the American-British proposal made for a small Army; whereas the French-Italian proposal meant, in application, the creation in a very short time of a great Army, which could be organised for war purposes by the Germans. For this reason alone, he strongly supported the American-British proposal.

It was imperative that the Council should now do all that lay in their power to prevent these big Armies, which would practically be directed by German brains, from springing up again. Experience had proved that in reality very little difference in fighting value existed between soldiers whose military training had extended over a period of twelve months and those whose training had extended over a period of two or three years. Obviously, the former were not as good as the latter, but they had been found to be quite good enough to give a good account of themselves, whenever they met the Germans.

M. Clemenceau presumed that for the moment Mr. Lloyd George’s remarks applied only to Austria and Hungary, and not to the other adjoining States.

President Wilson remarked that he personally had taken it for granted all along that the size of the Armies would be restricted.

M. Clemenceau, continuing, said that if the Council was discussing Austria, he would urge that the size of that Army should be so fixed as to bear the same ratio to the figures of population, as had been agreed to in the case of Germany. So far as he could judge, the figure of 40,000 men prescribed as the total number of effectives and reservists for the Army of the State of Austria had been fixed on no basis. In the case of Germany with a population of sixty millions, an Army of 100,000 men had been considered sufficient for the maintenance of order within the territory and for the control of the frontiers; whereas in the case of Austria with a population of seven millions, an Army of 40,000 was to be maintained. In his opinion the figure 40,000 was excessive.

Mr. Lloyd George said he was inclined to agree. He wished, in that connection, to lay stress on the fact that if, in addition, the French-Italian proposal were accepted, namely, that the Army should be organised on a basis of compulsory short term service, in four or five years time an enormous Army would have been created.

M. Clemenceau agreed. He would support the American-British proposal, which laid down that the Army of the State of Austria should in future only be constituted and recruited by means of voluntary enlistment.

M. Orlando said that on the question of general principle, he wholly supported Mr. Lloyd George’s proposal. Speaking in a general way, he thought that one of the chief causes of war in the future would be due to the warlike spirit which existed in the minds of the people of the Balkans. Consequently, now was the moment most favourable to take a decision on the question of principle, and to decide whether all these small States should or should not be limited in their arguments [armaments?], if only as the means of training these people in civil pursuits.

In regard to the alternative American-British and French-Italian proposals, M. Clemenceau had said that he would support the former proposal, which laid down that the Austrian Army should in future only be constituted and recruited by means of voluntary enlistment. That being the case, Italy would be left alone to support the proposal that the Austrian Army should be organised on a basis of a one year compulsory short term service. His reason for supporting the latter system had been fully explained by him when drafting the Covenant for the League of Nations. As he had then explained to President Wilson, Italy would not be able to raise an Army by voluntary service. Such a system would be too difficult in its application, since the whole traditions of the country went against it. Consequently, the Italian Army would have to be organised on a basis of compulsory service. Should the Italians, however, see that no other country adopted this method of recruitment, it would become impossible for Italy alone to maintain the system of compulsory service. But, since it had been decided in the case of Germany that universal compulsory military service should be abolished and that the Army should in future only be constituted and recruited by means of voluntary enlistment, he agreed that no sufficient reason existed for reaching a different decision in the case of Austria. He would therefore accept the American-British proposal, as had been done by M. Clemenceau.

In regard to the total number of effectives and reservists in the Army of the State of Austria, his Military Adviser informed him that the figure of 40,000 had been proposed by the British representative. It represented a maximum. He felt convinced that Austria would not be able to raise that number of Volunteers since she would be unable to raise the necessary funds. Therefore the mere fact that a voluntary system of enlistment had been prescribed would make it impossible for Austria to raise the maximum number (40,000) permissible, and only a proportion would actually be enlisted.

Mr. Lloyd George said that he quite agreed with the views expressed by M. Clemenceau and M. Orlando in regard to the size of the Army, although his military advisers took a different view. He thought, however, it might be interesting to hear how this figure of 40,000 had been arrived at.

General Sackville-West explained that the maximum of 40,000 men permissible would, in reality, produce a relatively small army, because in that figure all the services were included. It had been laid down that the formations composing the army of the State of Austria should not exceed 3 divisions of infantry and 1 division of cavalry, which meant 15,000 to 20,000 fighting men. He thought that number would only be sufficient for the maintenance of order within the territory of the State of Austria and for the control of her frontiers. He laid stress on the fact that the army in question would be sufficient only for the control of the frontiers and not for their defence. Furthermore, the military advisers considered that Austria possessed a good many potential enemies, many of whom already possessed larger armies than Austria would be permitted to maintain.

President Wilson asked for some further information as to the manner in which the figure of 15,000 to 20,000 combatants out of 40,000 men was reckoned.

General Sackville-West explained that the various services, including the war offices, schools, etc., would absorb a larger number of men. It had, however, been clearly laid down that the formations composing the army should not exceed 3 divisions, which would not be capable of expansion by mobilisation.

President Wilson enquired whether the same reasoning would apply to Germany in regard to the 100,000 men to be maintained by her.

General Sackville-West replied that with a larger army a proportionately smaller number of men would be required for the organisation of the auxiliary services. He thought that an army of 100,000 men would produce 60,000 combatants.

M. Clemenceau said that he was radically opposed to the proposals of the military advisers. In his opinion, the Council should be consistent in its action. Germany, with a population of 60,000,000, had been given an army of 100,000 men; whereas it was now proposed to give Austria, with a population of 7,000,000, an army of 40,000 men. He must ask to be enlightened as to the meaning of this discrepancy. What reply could be given to the German Plenipotentiaries should they protest that 100,000 men would not be sufficient to ensure their safety? It would be within the recollection of the Council that Marshal Foch had recommended an army of 200,000 for Germany and the Council had on its own initiative reduced that number to 100,000. In his opinion, with a voluntary army of professional soldiers there would be no necessity for the men to attend schools annually. In considering the proposals submitted by the military representatives, he desired to remind his colleagues that it was the business of soldiers to make war, whereas the heads of Government were there to make peace. The latter were merely aiming to produce such a state of affairs as would prevent wars in the future.

Mr. Lloyd George had said that in disarming Austria, it would be necessary to keep in mind the reduction of the forces to be maintained in all adjoining territories. He (M. Clemenceau) was quite ready to accept that suggestion; but, if Germany were permitted to maintain an army of 100,000 men only, it would not be possible to give Austria 40,000 men, for Germany would be justified then in saying that she had not been treated fairly. He, personally, would never agree to such a proposal. He had merely one object in view, namely, to make such a peace treaty as would guarantee the peace of the world in the future. With that object in view, it would be necessary to ensure the disarmament of those countries who had been aggressors, and, in the first place, he would insist on the disarmament of Germany and Austria. Austria had been the first to declare war, she had rejected proposals for arbitration. He knew the Austrians well. They were not a warlike people: but for that very reason they had allowed themselves to be used as the tools of the more warlike Power. He agreed that the Council should carefully examine the advice tendered by the military representatives; but it was the duty of the Council to lay down the political policy which should be followed. He did not wish to say that it would be necessary, in fixing the size of the Austrian army, to follow with mathematical exactitude the same proportion in regard to the population as had been fixed in the case of Germany. But, in his opinion, 10,000 to 12,000 men would be amply sufficient for the maintenance of order within the territory of Austria and for the control of her frontiers. No large industrial population would exist in the new State of Austria, since the industrial part was situated chiefly in Bohemia. On the other hand, the country people were peaceful and law-abiding. He urged, therefore, that the same proportion as far as possible, should be fixed for Austria as had been taken for Germany and no more.

President Wilson pointed out that, in accordance with General Sackville-West’s calculation, the proportion between the armies to be maintained would be as 15,000 to 60,000 and not as 40,000 to 100,000. In his opinion, the considerations which underlay those calculations ought to be taken into account, and it would not be sufficient merely to consider the superficial total.

Mr. Lloyd George pointed out that taking the figures of combatants the proportion between the combatants of Austria and Germany would be as 1 is to 4; whereas the population compared in the ratio of 1 to 7. He enquired what would be the number of combatants, should the total number of effectives be fixed at 25,000?

General Sackville-West replied that the total number of combatants would be about 13,000.

President Wilson thought that Marshal Foch had perhaps been right in recommending an army of 200,000 men for Germany.

M. Clemenceau said that he positively declined to reopen that question. He certainly did not wish to give an argument which could be used against the Allies. He urged that the total number of effectives in the army of the State of Austria should not exceed 15,000. The question of finding sufficient men for schools and other such like institutions did not worry him in the least.

M. Orlando whilst admitting the principle that a reduction in the total of 40.000 would be necessary, thought that in order to arrive at the exact figure it would be best to refer the question back to the military representatives, since in calculating the number of combatants consideration would have to be given to the auxiliary services and so forth. At the same time he would urge his colleagues to instruct their experts to study the armament plans to be enforced in all parts of the late Austro-Hungarian Empire. He thought that in principle the Heads of Governments were in complete agreement: the difficulty lay in the method of applying the accepted principle. M. Clemenceau had said that Europe had been the victim of the aggressive spirit of Germany and Austria. He would point out, however, that Austria had consisted of a conglomeration of different states and it was not known at which particular centre the aggressive spirit complained of had been situated.

M. Clemenceau, intervening, said he knew full well where the aggressive spirit resided, namely, at Vienna, where a dozen or so Junkers were the obedient followers of Bismarck. M. Orlando would not suggest that the war had been started in Poland, or in Bohemia, or in Transylvania. He himself had visited Vienna frequently during a period of 20 years before the war, and had invariably been told by the Vienna aristocracy when he sought to detach them from Germany, that they had no choice but to follow Germany, their previous conqueror.

M. Orlando, continuing, said that he did not wish to enter into a discussion on that point. He thought, however, that even M. Clemenceau would not deny that Vienna represented the headquarters of a number of nations. From the French point of view it might be sufficiently near the truth to say that the danger came from Vienna, but for an Italian it was necessary to examine the question more carefully, and to see whether there were not other sources of danger outside Vienna.

M. Clemenceau wished to invite attention to another matter requiring consideration, namely, the question of Hungary. The Austrians were not a warlike people but the Hungarians were; and whatever power for aggression might be given to Austria would also have to be given to Hungary with the inevitable danger that the latter would drag Austria into military enterprises. He, himself, had no desire to arm Austria and Hungary with a view to their starting military operations against adjoining new States. He noticed that the Italian newspapers x said that Austria must be armed in order to hold back the Jugo-Slavs. That was not his policy. If the little States were not to be allowed to attack Austria, the latter should in its turn not be permitted to undertake military operations in combination with Hungary with a view to oppress the people whom the Allies had delivered from their bondage. For that reason he supported Mr. Lloyd George’s proposal to disarm Austria & Hungary and all the surrounding States. He also read in the Italian papers that Italy should come to terms with Germany in order to start operations against the Slavs. He would never be able to accept a policy so inimical to the interests of the Allies.

M. Orlando begged M. Clemenceau to consider that he (M. Orlando) was in complete agreement with him in regard to the question of disarmament. He fully agreed that it would be right to reduce the Austrian and Hungarian armies. He knew from bitter experiences on the Italian front that the Hungarians made good soldiers. That was an argument in favour of further reducing the size of the army to be allowed to Austria. M. Clemenceau had made a reference to certain Italian newspapers. He would invite M. Clemenceau’s attention to the fact that these same papers had been vilifying him (M. Orlando). Surely that was sufficient evidence that these papers were antagonistic to the policy of the Italian Government. Furthermore, had he possessed any influence over these papers he would surely, in the first place have prevented them from attacking him.

Mr. Lloyd George suggested that M. Orlando’s proposal should be accepted. That is to say that the military representatives should be directed to examine the whole question on a broader basis and to report what forces should be allowed to Austria, Hungary and all the adjoining small States. The question was one of the greatest importance, and unless the matter were considered, as a whole, the Peace of Europe would again be disturbed in the near future. A decision to reduce the Austrian and Hungarian armies to 15,000 men each would not achieve the desired result if, at the same time, no limit were placed on the armaments to be maintained by Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, Roumania, Bulgaria and Greece. Unless restricted, each of the latter States would pass all their men through the army and in a short time would possess forces varying from one to two million men. He fully agreed with M. Clemenceau that Vienna had, in the past, been a centre of intrigue: but, in his opinion, what had created a warlike temper in Europe, had been the constant succession of wars in the Balkan provinces. The military men in Europe had seen wars going on in those regions and those feats of arms had aroused in them a warlike spirit. Therefore, should Jugo-Slavia be permitted to raise an army of one million; Czecho-Slovakia an army of one million; Roumania an army of two millions; Greece an army of 600,000, the result would be appalling. Many pugnacious people still existed in Germany, and even in Russia, and should these large armies be permitted in the Balkan States, the Allied and Associated Powers would be bound to get mixed up in the troubles that would inevitably arise. He need not remind his colleagues that in accordance with the laws of mankind, the oppressed of to-day became the oppressors of to-morrow. The State with a big army would inevitably start bullying the State with a small army, especially if the former had itself in the past been bullied. In that connection, Italy had no desire in the future to be compelled to maintain a large army, including millions of men, whether raised by a voluntary or a compulsory method of enlistment, in order to protect herself, but should her neighbours on the opposite side of the Adriatic be allowed to maintain large armaments, she would have no option in the matter. He urged his colleagues, therefore, to accept M. Orlando’s proposal, namely, that the military representatives at Versailles should be instructed to consider what forces should be allowed to Austria, Hungary, Roumania, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, including Serbia and Montenegro, Poland, Bulgaria and Greece, on the basis of maintaining the same proportionate standard as had been fixed in the case of Germany, bearing in mind local conditions and, in the case of Poland, the fact that she would have to defend herself against the possible attacks of Bolshevik forces in the East. He thought all these questions should be settled before the signature of the Treaty of Peace.

M. Clemenceau said it should be clearly understood that the Military Representatives would examine the question merely from a military point of view.

President Wilson agreed. He thought it would be impossible for the Council to determine the size of the Austrian army until the sizes of the armies to be maintained by the adjoining States had been decided. In his opinion, all these questions hung together to form a single scheme. Naturally the calculation could not, as stated by M. Clemenceau, be carried out on a strictly mathematical basis: but the military regime applied to Germany should be taken as the standard, making an exception in the case of Poland.

M. Clemenceau suggested that the military representatives should begin with a study of the Austrian question as it was very urgent. Moreover, several of the other questions mentioned were mixed up with the Russian question; that is to say, they involved an unknown factor. His remarks applied more particularly to Poland.

Mr. Lloyd George thought that it would not be possible to consider the question for each State independently; otherwise the Council would be confronted with the answer of Austria, who would say that she did not mind accepting the figure of, say, 15,000 men; but before doing so she would be entitled to know what armies were to be maintained by the countries surrounding her.

(It was agreed that the Military Representatives, Supreme War Council, Versailles, should prepare and submit a report showing what forces should be allowed to Austria, Hungary, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia (including Montenegro) Roumania, Poland, Bulgaria and Greece, taking the German figures as a proportional standard. In the case of Poland due allowance shall be made for the existing situation on the Eastern frontier.)

(2) Naval Clauses of Austrian Peace Treaty President Wilson drew attention to the following two reservations made by Admiral Benson, the American Naval Representative:—

(i) The terms of the Treaty should require that surrendered vessels of war or war material be destroyed or broken up:

(ii) That Naval terms should contain no prohibition against the manufacture within the limits of States formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of naval war material on foreign order.

His judgment agreed with Admiral Benson’s first reservation, and the second reservation he thought was very reasonable indeed, and he strongly supported it.

M. Clemenceau pointed out that in the German conditions of peace a similar clause had been inserted. He saw no reason why an exception should be made in the case of Austria, and he certainly did not wish to enable Germany to start factories for the manufacture of arms, ammunition and other naval war material in Austria.

President Wilson pointed out that in the matter of the manufacture of naval war material, Germany was differently situated to Austria. Germany had a seaboard, whereas the new state of Austria would have no seaboard.

Admiral Hope explained that Austria could nevertheless manufacture mines and torpedoes and deliver them to the Germans. The particular article under discussion had, however, in reality been introduced into the Austrian conditions of peace in order to keep the latter in line with the German conditions.

Admiral de Bon explained that the object of the article in question was to prevent Austria from supporting other nations, who might enter into war, by supplying them with arms, ammunition and other naval war material. He wished to point out that Austria at the present moment possessed a very magnificent war material in the form of a heavy gun.

President Wilson invited attention to Article 16 of the draft Military Clauses, wherein it was clearly laid down that the manufacture of arms, munitions or any war material should only be carried out in one factory, which should be owned and controlled by the State. Furthermore, all the establishments in excess of the one authorized would have to be rendered useless or converted to a purely commercial use in accordance with the decisions to be taken by the Inter-Allied Committee of Control. Under these circumstances, he thought that the danger contemplated by the naval experts would be extremely small.

M. Orlando thought that if Austria were given the opportunity of manufacturing war material for export to foreign countries, she could nominally pretend to work for, say, South America, whilst in reality manufacturing for Germany.

Admiral de Bon made the suggestion that by the omission of this clause, very great complications might arise in the future, should some new war material be invented, since such article might very possibly be constructed in factories outside the one permitted, without openly contravening the Articles of the Conditions of Peace.

Admiral Thaon de Revel observed that during the war, it had been shown how rapidly factories could be transformed to war uses. For that reason, he thought it would be far more effective to restrict the output, rather than to restrict the number of factories.

President Wilson said he was extremely anxious to make some distinction in favour of Austria, in order to wean her away from her old Ally. Germany had been the chief archenemy of peace in Europe. He thought, therefore, it would be both to the advantage of the Allies and to the advantage of the whole group of nations in Europe, should the object he had in view be achieved.

Mr. Lloyd George agreed that the question was not one of great importance in regard to Austria. He would, therefore, support President Wilson’s proposal.

M. Clemenceau said he had been greatly impressed by Admiral de Bon’s point of view. He failed to see why any safeguard should be renounced. In his opinion, the Council were far too ready to assume that its decisions would be faithfully followed by the enemy. He wished to insist that his opinion should be carefully recorded on this point, namely, that the decisions of the Council would, in all probability, not be followed in their entirety. Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, would take every opportunity to evade their part of the contract. American troops would then be far away. Nevertheless, the Council were inclined always to eliminate such precautions as it had decided to take, knowing full well that most of these precautions would disappear in the course of time. President Wilson had said that the question under reference constituted merely a small matter. In his opinion, it was not a small matter to take precautions to prevent future bloodshed and loss of life. Both Admiral de Bon and Admiral Revel had expressed the view that by omitting the condition under discussion, Austria would be in a position to manufacture war material for Germany. In conclusion, should his views not be accepted, he wished his dissent to be clearly understood and recorded.

President Wilson said that, owing to some misunderstanding, his naval advisers had not been apprised of the meeting. Consequently, he had not the advantage of their advice. On the other hand, steps had been taken to limit Germany’s power of constructing war material, and, in addition, the manufacture of arms, munitions or any war material in Austria had been restricted to one factory. Under those conditions, he failed to see wherein the danger lay. That might be due to intellectual disability on his part, but he could only see visible things; he could not see invisible things. Furthermore, in drafting the Conditions of Peace with Austria, he was anxious not to go too much into details which were immaterial. He thought it would be in the best interests of the Allied and Associated Governments that they should assist in the future industrial development of Austria. At present, Austria had lost all her industries, which had now been absorbed by Czecho-Slovakia. He thought it would be highly desirable to bring about the industrial development of Austria. However, it would not be possible for him to reach a decision on the question under reference, without first consulting his naval adviser. He proposed, therefore, that further discussion should be adjourned.

(It was agreed to adjourn the further consideration of President Wilson’s proposal, namely, that the Naval terms of Peace should contain no prohibition against the manufacture within the limits of States formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, of naval war material on foreign orders).

3. Air clauses of Austrian Conditions of Peace (It was agreed to accept the Air Clauses, subject to a second reading).

4. Inter-Allied Commissions of Control (It was agreed to accept the Clauses relating Inter-Allied Commissions of Control, subject to a second reading).

5. General Clauses President Wilson invited attention to Article 50 which read as follows:—

“So long as the present Treaty shall remain in force, the State of Austria undertakes to submit to any investigation that the League of Nations, by a majority of votes, may consider necessary.”

He thought the words “to submit to any investigation” were too harsh, and he suggested that the words “to respond to any enquiry” should be substituted.

Mr. Lloyd George pointed out that in the Conditions of Peace with Germany, the Clause had been made somewhat less harsh. It read as follows:—

“So long as the present Treaty remains in force, Germany undertakes to give every facility for any investigation which the Council of the League of Nations, acting, if need be, by a majority vote, may consider necessary.”

(It was agreed that Article 50 of the Draft Military, Naval and Aerial Clauses (General Clauses) should be amended to read as follows:—

“So long as the present Treaty shall remain in force, the State of Austria undertakes to respond to any enquiry that the League of Nations by a majority vote may consider necessary”).

6. Appointment of Admiral de Bon to the Mediterranean Mr. Lloyd George said that he had just heard with great regret that the Supreme Council would no longer have the benefit of the counsel of Admiral de Bon, who was about to take up another appointment. On behalf of the British delegation, he wished to place on record how much the solidarity which had existed between the British and French Admiralties had been due to Admiral de Bon’s tact, judgment, good sense and ability. He (Mr. Lloyd George) spoke with very great feeling.

President Wilson and M. Orlando very heartily endorsed Mr. Lloyd George’s remarks.

Admiral de Bon returned thanks for the kind words spoken by Mr. Lloyd George, President Wilson and M. Orlando.

(The Meeting then adjourned).

Villa Majestic, Paris, 15 May, 1919.

Annexure A

Conditions of Peace (Austria)—Military, Naval and Aerial Clauses

SWC/406

Military Clauses

Chapter I. General

article 1.

Within three months of the coming into force of the terms of peace, the military forces of the State of Austria shall be demobilised to the extent prescribed hereinafter.

article 2.	article 2.
(American-British proposal)	(French & Italian proposal)
Universal compulsory military service shall be abolished in the State of Austria. The Army of the State of Austria will in future only be constituted and recruited by means of voluntary enlistment.	The Army of the State of Austria shall be organised on a basis of 1 year compulsory short term service. Nevertheless, it may include a maximum of 8,000 enlisted or re-engaged volunteer Non-Commissioned Officers and Men. The men incorporated in each contingent, as well as enlisted or reengaged volunteers, shall after their period of service be definitely released from all further military obligations. The men of each annual class not incorporated shall not be liable for any military obligations.

Chapter II. Effectives and Cadres of the Army of the State of Austria

article 3.

The total number of effectives and reservists in the Army of the State of Austria must never exceed 40,000 men, including officers and establishment of depots.

The formations composing the Army of the State of Austria must not exceed 3 divisions of infantry and one division of cavalry.

The total effective strength of officers, including the personnel of staffs, whatever their composition, and including civilian officials holding the corresponding rank to officer, must not exceed 2,000.

The Army of the State of Austria shall be devoted exclusively to the maintenance of order within the territory of the State of Austria, and to the control of her frontiers.

article 4.

The divisions must not be grouped under more than one Army Corps Headquarter Staff. The maximum strengths of the Staffs and of all formations are given in Table I annexed hereto; these figures need not be exactly followed, but must never be exceeded.

The maintenance or formation of forces differently grouped, or of other organisations for the command of troops, or for preparation for war is forbidden.

The following units may each have a Depot:—

• An Infantry regiment.
• A Cavalry regiment.
• A Field Artillery regiment.
• A battalion of pioneers.

article 5.

All measures of mobilisation, or appertaining to mobilisation, are forbidden.

In no case must formations, administrative services or staffs include supplementary cadres.

It is forbidden to carry out any preparatory measures, with a view to requisitioning animals or other means of military transport.

article 6.

The number of gendarmes, customs officials, foresters, constables of local or municipal police, etc., may not exceed the number of men employed in a similar capacity in 1913 and existing within the boundaries of the new State of Austria.

The number of these officials shall not be increased in the future except in such numbers as may be necessary to maintain the same proportion between the number of officials and the total of the population in the localities or municipalities which employ them.

These officials, as well as officials employed in the railway service, must never be assembled for the purpose of taking part in any military exercises.

article 7.

Any other formation of troops not included in the above articles is forbidden, and such other formations as may exist shall be suppressed within the period laid down by Article I of these terms.

Chapter III. Recruiting and Military Training

article 8.

All officers must be regulars (officiers de carrière). The officers now serving, who are retained in the Army, must undertake the obligation to serve in it up to the age of 40 years at least. Officers now serving who do not join the new army, will be released from all military obligations; they must not take part in any military exercise, whether theoretical or practical.

Officers newly appointed must undertake to serve on the active list for 20 consecutive years at least.

The number of officers discharged for any reason before the expiration of their term of service must not exceed in any year 5% of the total effectives of officers provided for in the 3rd paragraph of Article III. If this percentage is unavoidably exceeded the resulting shortage must not be made good by fresh appointments.

article 9.	article 9.
(American-British Proposal)	(French & Italian Proposal)
The period of enlistment for non-commissioned officers and privates must be for a total period of not less than 12 consecutive years, including at least 6 years’ service with the colours. The proportion of men discharged before the expiration of the period of their enlistment, for reasons of health or as a result of disciplinary measures, or for any other reason, must not in any year exceed 5% of the total effectives, fixed by Article 3 of these terms. If this percentage is unavoidably exceeded, the resulting shortage must not be made good by fresh enlistments.	The voluntary enlistments and re-engagements (8,000 men fixed by Article 2) for non-commissioned officers and men shall in no case be less than 12 years continuous service. The numbers of noncommissioned officers and men discharged from the Army for any cause whatever before the expiration of their period of enlistment or obligatory service shall not exceed each year for each of the above-mentioned categories 5 per cent of the total effectives fixed by Article 3 of these terms. If the proportion of 5 per cent is unavoidably exceeded the resulting shortage shall not be made good by fresh enlistments.

Chapter IV. Schools, educational establishments, military societies, etc.

article 10.

On the expiration of three months from the coming into force of the present Treaty there must only exist in the State of Austria two military schools absolutely reserved for the recruitment of the officers of the units allowed.

The number of students admitted to attend the courses of the said schools will be strictly in proportion to the vacancies to be filled in the cadres of officers. The students and the cadres will be reckoned in the effectives fixed by Article 3 of the present Treaty.

Consequently and during the period fixed above all military academies or similar institutions in the State of Austria as well as the different military schools for officers, student officers, cadets, non-commissioned officers or student non-commissioned officers other than the schools above provided for will be abolished.

article 11.

Educational establishments, other than those referred to in Article 10 above, the universities, societies of discharged soldiers, shooting and touring clubs, and associations or clubs of every description, must not occupy themselves with any military matters. They will on no account be allowed to instruct or exercise their pupils or members in the use of arms.

These educational establishments, societies, clubs, etc., must have no connection with the Ministry of War or any other military authority.

article 12.

In all schools and educational establishments of every description, whether under State control or private management, the teaching of Gymnastics must be devoid of all instruction or practice in the use of arms or training for war.

Chapter V. Armament, munitions and material, fortifications.

article 13.

At the expiration of three months from the coming into force of these terms, the new Army of the State of Austria must not possess an armament greater than the amounts fixed in Table 2, with the exception of an optional increase not exceeding l/20th part for small arms and l/40th for guns, which shall be exclusively used to provide for such eventual replacements as may be necessary.

article 14.

At the expiration of three months from the coming into force of these terms, the stock of munitions at the disposal of the Army of the State of Austria shall not exceed the amounts fixed in Table 3.

Within this period the Government will store these stocks at points to be notified to the Principal Allied and Associated Governments. No other stocks, depots or reserves of munitions shall be established.

article 15.

The number and calibre of guns constituting the normal fixed armament of any fortified places actually in existence in the State of Austria will be immediately notified to the Principal Allied and Associated Governments, and will constitute maximum amounts, which may never be exceeded.

Within three months of the coming into force of these terms, the maximum stock of ammunition for these guns will be reduced to, and maintained at, the following uniform rates:—

• 1,300 rounds per gun for those, the calibre of which is 10.5 c. m. and under.
• 500 rounds per piece for those of higher calibre.

article 16.

The manufacture of arms, munitions or any war material, shall only be carried out in one factory, which shall be owned and controlled by the State.

Within three months from the coming into force of these terms, all other establishments for the manufacture, preparation, storage or design of arms, munitions or any war material whatever, shall be suppressed as such or converted to purely commercial uses. Within the same period, all arsenals will be suppressed, except those used as depots for the authorised stocks of munitions, and their personnel dismissed.

The establishments or arsenals in excess of those required for the manufactures authorised will be rendered useless or converted to a purely commercial use in accordance with the decisions to be taken by the Inter-Allied Committee of Control.

article 17.

Within three months from the coming into force of these terms, all arms, munitions and war material, including anti-aircraft material, of whatever origin, existing in the new State of Austria in excess of the amounts allowed, will be surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Governments.^* This will also apply to special plant intended for the manufacture of military material, except such as may be recognised as necessary for equipping the authorised strength of the Army of the State of Austria.

The surrender in question will be effected at such points in the territory of the State of Austria as may be selected by the said Governments who will decide as to the disposal of the material.

article 18.

Importation into the State of Austria of arms, munitions and war material of every kind is strictly prohibited.

The same applies to the manufacture for and export of arms, munitions and war material of every kind to foreign countries.

article 19.

The use of Flammenwerfer, asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases and all analogous liquids, materials or devices being prohibited, their manufacture and importation are strictly forbidden in the State of Austria. The same applies to materials specially intended for the manufacture, storage and use of the said products or devices.

The manufacture and importation into the State of Austria of armoured cars, tanks and all similar constructions suitable for use in war are also prohibited.

Table 1

Maximum Strength of Effectives and Reserves Allowed for Staffs and formations

(These tabular statements do not constitute a fixed establishment, but the figures therein contained represent maximum figures which must not be exceeded).

Units	Maximum number authorised	Maximum strengths of each unit
		Officers	Other ranks
i. army corps headquarters
Army Corps Headquarters Staff	1	50	300
Total		50	300
Unit	Maximum number of such units in a single Division	Maximum strengths of each unit
		Officers	Other ranks
ii. establishment of an infantry division
Headquarters of an Infantry division	1	25	70
H. Q. of Division infantry	1	5	50
“ “ “ Artillery	1	4	30
Regiment of infantry	3	65	2,000
Each regiment comprises
3 battalions of infantry.
Each battalion comprises
3 companies of infantry & 1 machine gun company.
Division squadron of Cavalry	1	6	160
Trench Mortar battalion, consisting of 3 companies	1	14	500
Pioneer Battalion	1	14	500
This battalion comprises
Headquarters Section
2 Companies of Pioneers
1 Pontoon Section
1 Searchlight Section
Field Artillery Regiment	1	84	1290
Each Regiment comprises
Headquarters
3 Groups of Field [or] Mountain artillery
Each group comprises
3 batteries, each of 4 field or mountain guns or field howitzers.
Field Signal Company	1	11	330
This Company includes
1 Telephone and telegraph detachment
1 Listening section
1 Carrier pigeon section
Division Medical Service	1	28	550
Parks and trains		14	940
Total for Infantry Division		400	10,420
Unit	Maximum number of such units in a single Division	Maximum strengths of each unit
		Officers	Other ranks
iii. establishment of a cavalry division
Headquarters of a Cavalry Division	1	15	50
Cavalry Regiment	6	30	720
Each regiment comprises 4 squadrons.
Field Artillery Group (3 batteries)	1	30	430
Total strength of a Cavalry Division		225	4,800

Table 2

Tabular Statement of Armament Establishment For a Maximum of 3 Infantry Divisions, 1 Cavalry Division and 1 Army Corps Headquarters Staff

Material	Infantry Division	For 3 Infantry Divisions	For 1 Cavalry Division	1 Army Corps Headquarters	Total
Rifles	12,000	36,000		Armament to be drawn from the surplus of infantry Divisions.	36,000
Carbines			6,000		6,000
Heavy machine guns	108	324	12		336
Light “ “	162	486			486
Trench Mortars, light	18	54			54
“ “ medium	9	27			27
Field or mountain guns.	24	72	12		84
Field or mountain Howitzers	12	36			36

Table 3

Maximum Stocks Authorised

Material			Maximum No. of arms authorised		Ammn. Establishment per unit		Maximum totals
Rifles			36,000	}	500	rounds	21,000,00
Carbines			6,000
Heavy machine guns			336	}	10,000	rounds	8,220,000
Light “ “			486
Light trench mortars			54		1,000	“	54,000
Medium “ “			27		500	“	13,500
Field or mountain Artillery.	{	guns	84		1,000	“	84,000
		howitzers	36		1,000	“	36,000

Naval Clauses

article 20.

From the date of the coming into force of the present Treaty all ex-Austro-Hungarian warships, submarines included, are declared to be finally surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

All the monitors, torpedo boats and armed vessels of the Danube Flotilla will be surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

article 21.

The ex-Austro-Hungarian auxiliary cruisers and fleet auxiliaries enumerated below will be disarmed and treated as merchant ships.

• Bosnia
• Gablonz
• Carolina
• Africa
• Tirol
• Argentina
• Lussin
• Teodo
• Nixe
• Gigante
• Dalmat
• Persia
• Prince Hohenlohe
• Gastein
• Helouan
• Graf Wurmbrand
• Pelikan
• Hercules
• Pola
• Naiade
• Pluto
• President Wilson (ex Kaiser Franz Joseph)
• Trieste
• Baron Bruck
• Elisabeth
• Melcavich
• Baron Call
• Gaea
• Cyclop
• Vesta
• Nymphe
• Buffel

article 22.

All warships, including submarines, now under construction in ports which belong or previously belonged to Austria-Hungary, shall be broken up.

The work of breaking-up these vessels will be commenced as soon as possible after the coming into force of the present Treaty.

article 23.

Articles, machinery and material arising from the breaking-up of ex-Austro-Hungarian warships of all kinds, whether surface vessels or submarines, may not be used except for purely industrial or commercial purposes.

They may not be sold or disposed of to foreign countries.

article 24.

The construction or acquisition of any submarine, even for commercial purposes, shall be forbidden in the State of Austria.

article 25.

All arms, ammunition and other naval war material, including mines and torpedoes, which belonged to Austria-Hungary at the date of the signature of the armistice of 3 November, 1918,¹ are declared to be finally surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

The manufacture in territory of the State of Austria and the export of these articles to foreign countries shall be forbidden.

article 26.

During the three months following the coming into force of the present Treaty, the Austrian high-power wireless telegraphy station at Vienna shall not be used for the transmission of messages concerning naval, military or political questions of interest to the State of Austria, or any State which has been allied to Austria-Hungary in the war, without the assent of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers. This station may be used for commercial purposes, but only under the supervision of the said Governments, who will decide the wavelength to be used.

During the same period the State of Austria shall not build any more high-power wireless telegraphy stations in her own territory or that of the State of Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria or Turkey.

Admiral Benson (U. S. A.) makes the two following reservations:—

(1) The terms of the Treaty should require that surrendered vessels-of-war or war material be destroyed or broken up.

(2) That naval terms should contain no prohibition against the manufacture, within the limits of States formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, of naval war material on foreign order.

Air Clauses

article 27.

The armed forces of the State of Austria must not include any military or naval air forces. No dirigible shall be kept.

article 28.

Within two months from the coming into force of the present Treaty the personnel of the air forces on the rolls of the Austrian land and sea forces shall be demobilised.

article 29.

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

article 30.

During the six months following the coming into force of the present Treaty, the manufacture and importation of aircraft, parts of aircraft, engines for aircraft, and parts of engines for aircraft, shall be forbidden in all territory of the State of Austria.

article 31.

On the coming into force of the present Treaty, all military and naval aeronautical material must be delivered by the State of Austria and at the expense of the State of Austria, to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

Delivery must be effected at such places as the said Governments may select, and must be completed within three months.

In particular, this material will include all items under the following heads which are or have been in use or were designed for warlike purposes:—

Complete aeroplanes and seaplanes, as well as those being manufactured, repaired or assembled.

Dirigibles able to take the air, being manufactured, repaired or assembled.

Plant for the manufacture of hydrogen.

Dirigible sheds and shelters of every kind for aircraft.

Pending their delivery, dirigibles will, at the expense of the State of Austria, be maintained inflated with hydrogen; the plant of the manufacture of hydrogen, as well the sheds for dirigibles, may, at the discretion of the said Powers, be left to the State of Austria until the time when the dirigibles are handed over.

Engines for aircraft.

Nacelles and fuselages.

Armament (guns, machine guns, light machine guns, bomb-dropping apparatus, torpedo-dropping apparatus, synchronisation apparatus, aiming apparatus).

Munitions (cartridges, shells, bombs, loaded or unloaded, stocks of explosives or material for their manufacture).

Instruments for use on aircraft.

Wireless apparatus and photographic or cinematograph apparatus for use on aircraft.

Component parts of any of the items under the preceding heads.

The material referred to above shall not be removed without special permission from the said Governments.

Aerial Navigation

article 32.

The aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall have full liberty of passage and landing over and in the territory and territorial waters of the State of Austria and shall enjoy the same privileges as aircraft belonging to the State of Austria, particularly in case of distress by land or sea.

article 33.

The aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall, while in transit to any foreign country whatever, enjoy the right of flying over the territory and territorial waters of the State of Austria without landing subject always to any regulations which may be made by the State of Austria, and which shall be applicable equally to the aircraft of the State of Austria and those of the Allied and Associated countries.

article 34.

All aerodromes in the State of Austria open to national public traffic shall be open for the aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers, and in any such aerodrome such aircraft shall be treated on a footing of equality with Austrian aircraft as regards charges of every description, including charges for landing and accommodation.

article 35.

Subject to the present provisions, the rights of passage, transit and landing, provided for in Articles 32, 33 and 34 are, subject to the observance of such regulations as the State of Austria may consider it necessary to enact, but such regulation shall be applied without distinction to aircraft belonging to the State of Austria and to the aircraft of Allied and Associated countries.

article 36.

Certificates of nationality, airworthiness, or competency and licences, issued or recognised as valid by any of the Allied and Associated Powers, shall be recognised in the State of Austria as valid and as equivalent to the certificates and licences issued by the State of Austria.

article 37.

As regards internal commercial air traffic, the aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall enjoy in the State of Austria most favoured nation treatment.

article 38.

The State of Austria undertakes to enforce the necessary measures to ensure that all Austrian aircraft flying over her territory shall comply with the Rules as to lights and signals. Rules of the Air and Rules for Air Traffic as and in the neighbourhood of aerodromes, which have been laid down in the Convention relative to Aerial Navigation concluded between the Allied and Associated Powers.

article 39.

The obligations imposed by the preceding provisions shall remain in force until the 1st January, 1923, unless before that date the State of Austria shall have been admitted into the League of Nations or shall have been authorised by consent of the Allied and Associated Powers, to adhere to the Convention relative to Aerial Navigation concluded between those Powers.

Inter-Allied Commissions of Control

article 40.

All the Military, Naval and Air Clauses contained in the present Treaty, for the execution of which a time limit is prescribed, shall be executed by the State of Austria under the control of Inter-Allied Commissions (Military, Naval, Air) specially appointed for this purpose by the principal Allied and Associated Powers.

The above mentioned Commissions will represent the Governments of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers in dealing with the Government of the State of Austria in all matters concerning the execution of the Military, Naval or Air clauses. They will communicate to the authorities of the State of Austria the decisions which the Principal Allied and Associated Powers have reserved the right to take or which the execution of the Clauses may necessitate.

article 41.

The Inter-Allied Commissions of Control may establish their organisations at Vienna and shall be entitled, as often as they think desirable, to proceed to any point whatever in the territory of the State of Austria, or to send a sub-commission or to authorise one or more of their members to go to any such point.

article 42.

The Government of the State of Austria must furnish to the Inter-Allied Commissions of Control all such information and documents as the latter may deem necessary to ensure the execution of their mission; and all means (both in personnel and in materiel) which the above mentioned Commissions might need to ensure the complete execution of the Military, Naval or Air Clauses.

The Government of the State of Austria must attach a qualified representative to each Inter-Allied Commission of Control with the duty of receiving from the latter any communications which it may have to address to the Government of the State of Austria and to furnish it with, or to procure, all information or documents demanded.

article 43.

The upkeep and cost of the Commissions of Control and the expenses involved by their work shall be borne by the State of Austria.

article 44.

It will be the special duty of the Military Inter-Allied Commission of Control to receive from the Government of the State of Austria the notifications relating to the location of the stocks and depots of munitions, the armament of the fortified works, fortresses and forts, and the location of the works or factories for the production of arms, munitions and war materiel and their operations.

It will take delivery of the arms, munitions, war materiel and plant intended for war construction, will select the points where such delivery is to be effected and will supervise the works of destruction, and rendering things useless, or of transformation of materiel, which are to be carried out in accordance with the present Treaty.

article 45.

It will be the special duty of the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control to proceed to the building yards and to supervise the breaking-up of the ships which are under construction there, to take delivery of arms, munitions and naval war materiel, and to supervise the destruction and breaking-up provided for.

The Government of the State of Austria must furnish to the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control all such information and documents as the Commission may deem necessary to ensure the complete execution of the naval clauses, in particular the designs of the warships, the composition of their armaments, the details and models of the guns, munitions, torpedoes, mines, explosives, wireless telegraphic apparatus, and in general everything relating to naval war materiel, as well as all legislative or administrative documents or regulations.

article 46.

It will be the special duty of the Aeronautical Inter-Allied Commission of Control to make an inventory of the Aeronautical material which is actually in the possession of the Government of the State of Austria, to inspect aeroplane, balloon and motor manufactories, and factories producing arms, munitions and explosives capable of being used by aircraft, to visit all aerodromes, sheds, landing grounds, parks and depots which are now in Austrian territory and to authorise where necessary a removal of material and to take delivery of such material.

The Government of the State of Austria must furnish to the Aeronautical Inter-Allied Commission of Control all such information and legislative, administrative or other documents which the Commission may consider necessary to ensure the complete execution of the air clauses and in particular a list of the personnel belonging to all the air services of the State of Austria and of the existing material as well as of that in process of manufacture or on order, and a list of all establishments working for aviation, of their positions, and of all sheds and landing grounds.

General Clauses

article 47.

After the expiration of a period of three months from the coming into force of the present Treaty the laws of the State of Austria must have been modified and shall be maintained by the Government of the State of Austria in conformity with the first part of the present Treaty.

Within the same period all the administrative or other measures relating to the execution of this part of the Treaty must have been taken by the Government of the State of Austria.

article 48.

The following portions of the Armistice of 3rd November, 1918 (Villa Giusti):—

Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 of Chapter 1 (Military Clauses).

Paragraphs 2, 3, 6 of Chapter 1 of the annexed Protocol, (Military Clauses).

remain in force so far as they are not inconsistent with the above stipulations.

article 49.

The State of Austria undertakes from the coming into force of the present Treaty not to accredit to any foreign country any Military, Naval or Air Mission and not to send, or allow to leave, any such Mission; it undertakes, moreover, to take the necessary measures to prevent nationals of the State of Austria leaving its territory in order to enlist in the Army, the Fleet, or the Air Service of any foreign power, or to be attached to such with a view to helping in its training, or generally to give any assistance to the Military, Naval, or Air instruction in a foreign country.

The Allied and Associated Powers undertake, on their part, that from the coming into force of the present Treaty they will neither enlist in nor attach to their Armies, Fleets or Air Forces any national of the State of Austria with the object of helping in military training or in general employ any national of the State of Austria as a military, naval, or air instructor.

The present provision, however, in no way hinders the right of France to recruit her Foreign Legion in accordance with French Military Laws and regulations.

article 50.

So long as the present Treaty shall remain in force the State of Austria undertakes to submit to any investigation that the League of Nations by a majority vote may consider necessary.

Versailles, 18 May, 1919.

Annexure B

Conditions of Peace (Hungary)—Military, Naval and Aerial Clauses

SWC/407

Military Clauses

Chapter I. General

article 1.

Within three months of the coming into force of these terms of peace, the military forces of the State of Hungary shall be demobilised to the extent described hereinafter.

article 2.	article 2.
(American-British Proposal)	(French and Italian Proposal)
Universal compulsory military service shall be abolished in the State of Hungary. The Army of the State of Hungary will in future only be constituted and recruited by means of voluntary enlistment.	The Army of the state of Hungary shall be organised on a basis of 1 year compulsory short term service. Nevertheless it may include a maximum of 8,000 enlisted or re-engaged volunteer N. C. O.’s and men. The men incorporated in each contingent, as well as enlisted or re-engaged volunteers, shall after their period of service be definitely released from all further military obligations. The men of each annual class not incorporated shall not be liable for any military obligations.

Chapter II. Effectives and Cadres of the Army of the State of Hungary

article 3.

The total number of effectives and reservists in the Army of the state of Hungary must never exceed 45,000 men, including officers and establishment of depôts.

The formations composing the army of the state of Hungary must not exceed 3 divisions of infantry and two divisions of cavalry.

The total effective strength of Officers, including the personnel of staffs, whatever their composition, and including civilian officials holding the corresponding rank to officer, must not exceed 2,250.

The Army of the State of Hungary shall be devoted exclusively to the maintenance of order within the territory of the State of Hungary and to the control of her frontiers.

article 4.

The divisions must not be grouped under more than one Army Corps Headquarter Staff. The maximum strengths of the Staffs and of all formations are given in Table I annexed hereto; these figures need not be exactly followed, but must never be exceeded.

The maintenance or formation of forces differently grouped, or of other organisations for the command of troops, or for preparation for war is forbidden.

The following units may each have a Depôt:—

• An infantry regiment.
• A cavalry regiment.
• A field Artillery regiment.
• A battalion of Pioneers.

article 5.

All measures of mobilisation, or appertaining to mobilisation, are forbidden.

In no case must formations, administrative services or staffs include supplementary cadres.

It is forbidden to carry out any preparatory measures, with a view to requisitioning animals or other means of military transport.

article 6.

The number of gendarmes, customs officials, foresters, constables of local or municipal police, etc., may not exceed the number of men employed in a similiar capacity in 1913, and existing within the boundaries of the new state of Hungary.

The number of these officials shall not be increased in the future except in such numbers as may be necessary to maintain the same proportion between the number of officials and the total of the population in the localities or municipalities which employ them.

These officials, as well as officials employed in the railway service, must never be assembled for the purpose of taking part in any military exercises.

article 7.

Any other formation of troops not included in the above articles is forbidden, and such other formations as may exist shall be suppressed within the period laid down by article I of these terms.

Chapter III. Recruiting and Military Training

article 8.

All officers must be regular (officiers de carrière). The officers now serving, who are retained in the army, must undertake the obligation to serve in it up to the age of 40 years at least. Officers now serving, who do not join the new army, will be released from all military obligations; they must not take part in any military exercise, whether theoretical or practical.

Officers newly appointed must undertake to serve on the active list for 20 consecutive years at least.

The number of officers discharged for any reason before the expiration of their term of service must not exceed in any year 5 per cent of the total effectives of officers provided for in the 3rd paragraph of Article 3. If this percentage is unavoidably exceeded, the resulting shortage must not be made good by fresh appointments.

article 9.

(American and British Proposal)

(French and Italian Proposal)

The period of enlistment for Non-Commissioned officers and privates must be for a total period of not less than 12 consecutive years, including at least 6 years’ service with the colours. The proportion of men discharged before the expiration of the period of their enlistment, for reasons of health or as a result of disciplinary measures, or for any other reason must not in any year exceed 5% of the total effectives fixed by Article 3 of these terms. If this percentage is unavoidably exceeded, the resulting shortage must not be made good by fresh enlistments.

The voluntary enlistments and re-engagements (8,000 men fixed by Article 2) for Non-Commissioned officers and men shall in no case be less than 12 years continuous service. The numbers of Noncommissioned officers and men discharged from the army for any cause whatever before the expiration of their period of enlistment or obligatory service shall not exceed each year for each of the above mentioned categories 5% of the total effectives fixed by Article 3 of these terms. If the proportion of 5% is unavoidably exceeded the resulting shortage shall not be made good by fresh enlistments.

Chapter IV. Schools, Educational Establishments, Military Societies &c.

article 10.

On the expiration of three months from the coming into force of the present Treaty there must only exist in the state of Hungary two military schools absolutely reserved for the recruitment of the officers of the units allowed.

The number of students admitted to attend the courses of the said schools will be strictly in proportion to the vacancies to be filled in the cadres of officers. The students and the cadres will be reckoned in the effectives fixed by Article 3 of the present treaty.

Consequently and during the period fixed above all military academies or similar institutions in the State of Hungary as well as the different military schools for officers, student officers, cadets, Noncommissioned officers or student Non-Commissioned officers other than the schools above provided for will be abolished.

article 11.

Educational establishments, other than those referred to in Article 10 above, the universities, societies of discharged soldiers, shooting and touring clubs, and associations or clubs of every description, must not occupy themselves with any military matters. They will on no account be allowed to instruct or exercise their pupils or members in the use of arms.

These educational establishments, societies, clubs, etc., must have no connection with the Ministry of War or any other military authority.

article 12.

In all schools and educational establishments of every description, whether under state control or private management, the teaching of gymnastics must be devoid of all instruction or practice in the use of arms or training for war.

Chapter V. Armament, Munitions and Material

article 13.

At the expiration of three months from the coming into force of these terms, the new army of the State of Hungary must not possess an armament greater than the amounts fixed in Table 2, with the exception of an optional increase not exceeding 1/20 part for small arms and 1/40 for guns, which shall be exclusively used to provide for such eventual replacements as may be necessary.

article 14.

At the expiration of three months from the coming into force of these terms, the stock of munitions at the disposal of the army of the State of Hungary shall not exceed the amounts fixed in Table 3.

Within this period the Government will store these stocks at points to be notified to the Principal Allied and Associated Governments, no other stocks, depots or reserves of munitions shall be established.

article 15.

The manufacture of arms, munitions or any war material, shall only be carried out in one factory, which shall be owned and controlled by the state.

Within three months from the coming into force of these terms, all other establishments for the manufacture, preparation, storage or design of arms, munitions or any war material whatever, shall be suppressed as such or converted to purely commercial uses. Within the same period, all arsenals will be suppressed, except those used as depots for the authorised stocks of munitions, and their personnel dismissed.

The establishments or arsenals in excess of those required for the manufactures authorised will be rendered useless or converted to a purely commercial use in accordance with the decisions to be taken by the Inter-Allied Committee of Control.

article 16.

Within three months from the coming into force of these terms, all arms, munitions and war material, including anti-aircraft material, of whatever origin, existing in the new State of Hungary in excess of the amounts allowed, will be surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Governments.^† This will also apply to special plant intended for the manufacture of military material, except such as may be recognised as necessary for equipping the authorised strength of the army of the State of Hungary.

The surrender in question will be effected at such points in territory of the State of Hungary as may be selected by the said Governments who will decide as to the disposal of the material.

article 17.

Importation into the State of Hungary of arms, munitions and war material of every kind is strictly prohibited.

The same applies to the manufacture for and export of arms, munitions and war material of every kind to foreign countries.

article 18.

The use of Flammenwerfer, asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases and all analogous liquids, materials or devices being prohibited, their manufacture and importation are strictly forbidden in the State of Hungary. The same applies to materials specially intended for the manufacture, storage and use of the said products or devices.

The manufacture and importation into the State of Hungary of armoured cars, tanks and all similar constructions suitable for use in war are also prohibited.

Table 1

Maximum Strength of Effectives and Reserves Allowed for Staffs and Formations

(These tabular statements do not constitute a fixed establishment, but the figures therein contained represent maximum figures which must not be exceeded).

Units	Maximum Number authorised	Maximum Strengths of each unit
		Officers	Other Ranks
i. army corps headquarters
Army Corps Headquarters Staff	1	50	300
Total		50	300

Unit	Maximum Number of such units in a single Division	Maximum Strengths of each unit
		Officers	Other Ranks
ii. establishment of an infantry division
Headquarters of an Infantry Division	1	25	70
H. Q. of Divisional Infantry	1	5	50
“ “ “ Artillery	1	4	30
Regiment of infantry	3	65	2,000
Each regiment comprises
3 battalions of infantry
Each battalion comprises
3 companies of infantry &
1 machine gun company
Divisional squador of cavalry	1	6	160
Trench mortar battalion, consisting of 3 companies	1	14	500
Pioneer battalion	1	14	500
This battalion comprises
Headquarters Section
2 companies of pioneers
1 pontoon section
1 searchlight section
Field Artillery comprises	1	84	1,290
Each regiment comprises
Headquarters
3 Groups of artillery
Each group comprises
3 Batteries, each of 4 field or mountain guns or field howitzers.
Field Signal Company	1	11	330
This Company includes
1 Telephone and telegraph detachment
1 Listening section
1 Carrier pigeon section
Divisional Medical Service	1	28	550
Parks and trains		14	940
Total for infantry Division		400	10,420
iii. establishment of a cavalry division
Headquarters of a Cavalry Division	1	15	50
Cavalry Regimet	6	30	720
Each regiment comprises 4 squadrons	1	30	430
Total strength of a Cavalry Division		225	4,800

Table 2

Tabular Statement of Armament Establishment for a Maximum of 3 Infantry Divisions, 2 Cavalry Divisions and 1 Army Corps Headquarters Staff

Material	Infantry Division	For 3 Infantry Divisions	Cavalry Divisions	For 2 Cavalry Divisions	For 1 Army Corps H. Q.	Total
Rifles	12,000	36,000			Armament to be drawn from surplus of infantry Divisions.	36,000
Carbines			6,000	12,000		12,000
Heavy machine guns	108	324	12	24		348
Light ” ”	162	486				486
Trench mortars, light	18	54				54
Trench mortars, medium	9	27				27
Field or mountain guns.	24	72	12	24		96
Field or mountain howitzers	12	36				36

Table 3

Maximum Stocks Authorised

Material			Maximum No. of arms authorised		Ammunition establishment per unit	Maximum totals
Rifles			36,000	}	500	24,000,000
Carbines			12,000
Heavy machine guns			348	}	10,000	8,340,000
Light ” ”			486
Light trench mortars			54		1,000	54,000
Medium trench mortars			27		500	13,500
Field and mountain Artillery	{	guns	96		1,000	96,000
		howitzers	36		1,000	36,000

Naval Clauses

article 19.

From the date of the coming into force of the present Treaty all ex-Austro-Hungarian warships, submarines included, are declared to be finally surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

All the monitors, torpedo boats and armed vessels of the Danube flotilla will be surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

article 20.

The ex-Austro-Hungarian auxiliary cruisers and fleet auxiliaries enumerated below will be disarmed and treated as merchant ships:—

• Bosnia
• Gablonz
• Carolina
• Africa
• Tirol
• Argentina
• Lussin
• Teodo
• Nixe
• Gigante
• Dalmat
• Persia
• Prince Hohenlohe
• Gastein
• Helouan
• Graf Wurmbrand
• Pelikan
• Hercules
• Pola
• Naiade
• Pluto
• President Wilson (ex Kaiser Franz Joseph)
• Trieste
• Baron Brack
• Elisabeth
• Melcavich
• Baron Call
• Gaea
• Cyclop
• Vesta
• Nymphe
• Buffel

article 21.

All warships, including submarines, now under construction in ports which previously belonged to Austria-Hungary, shall be broken up.

The work of breaking up these vessels will be commenced as soon as possible after the coming into force of the present Treaty.

article 22.

Articles, machinery and material arising from the breaking up of ex-Austro-Hungarian warships of all kinds, whether surface vessels or submarines, may not be used except for purely industrial or commercial purposes.

They may not be sold or disposed of to foreign countries.

article 23.

The construction or acquisition of any submarine, even for commercial purposes, shall be forbidden in the state of Hungary.

article 24.

All arms, ammunition and naval war material, including mines and torpedoes, which belonged to Austria-Hungary at the date of the signature of the Armistice of 3rd November, 1918,² are declared to be finally surrendered to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

The manufacture in territory of the State of Hungary and the export of these articles to foreign countries shall be forbidden.

article 25.

During the three months following the coming into force of the present Treaty, the Hungarian high-power wireless telegraphy station at Budapest shall not be used for the transmission of messages concerning naval, military or political questions of interest to the state of Hungary, or any state which has been allied to Austria-Hungary in the war, without the assent of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers. This station may be used for commercial purposes but only under the supervision of the said Governments, who will decide the wave-lengths to be used.

During the same period the State of Hungary shall not build any more high-power wireless telegraphy stations in her own territory or that of the State of Austria, Germany, Bulgaria or Turkey.

Admiral Benson (U. S. A.) makes the two following reservations:—

(1) The terms of the Treaty should require that surrendered vessels of war or war material be destroyed or broken up.

(2) That naval terms should contain no prohibition against the manufacture, within the limits of States formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, of naval war material on foreign order.

Air Clauses

article 26.

The armed forces of the State of Hungary must not include any military or naval air forces. No dirigible shall be kept.

article 27.

Within two months from the coming into force of the present Treaty the personnel of the air forces on the rolls of the Hungarian land and sea forces shall be demobilised.

article 28.

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

article 29.

During the six months following the coming into force of the present Treaty, the manufacture and importation of aircraft, parts of aircraft, engines for aircraft, and parts of engines for aircraft, shall be forbidden in all territory of the State of Hungary.

article 30.

On the coming into force of the present Treaty, all military and naval aeronautical material must be delivered by the State of Hungary and at the expense of the State of Hungary, to the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

Delivery must be effected at such places as the said Governments may select, and must be completed within three months.

In particular, this material will include all items under the following heads which, are or have been in use or were designed for warlike purposes:—

Complete aeroplanes and seaplanes, as well as those being manufactured, repaired or assembled.

Dirigibles able to take the air, being manufactured, repaired or assembled.

Plant for the manufacture of hydrogen.

Dirigible sheds and shelters of every kind for aircraft.

Pending their delivery, dirigibles will, at the expense of the State of Hungary, be maintained inflated with hydrogen; the plant of the manufacture of hydrogen, as well as the sheds for dirigibles, may, at the discretion of the said Powers, be left to the State of Hungary until the time when the dirigibles are handed over.

Engines for aircraft.

Nacelles and fuselages.

Armament (guns, machine guns, light machine guns, bomb-dropping apparatus, torpedo-dropping apparatus, synchronisation apparatus, aiming apparatus).

Munitions (cartridges, shells, bombs, loaded or unloaded, stocks of explosives or material for their manufacture).

Instruments for use on aircraft.

Wireless apparatus and photographic or cinematograph apparatus for use on aircraft.

Component parts of any of the items under the preceding heads.

The material referred to above shall not be removed without special permission from the said Governments.

article 31.

The aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall have full liberty of passage and landing over and in the territory and territorial waters of the State of Hungary and shall enjoy the same privileges as aircraft belonging to the State of Hungary, particularly in case of distress by land or sea.

article 32.

The aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall, while in transit to any foreign country whatever, enjoy the right of flying over the territory and territorial waters of the State of Hungary without landing subject always to any regulations which may be made by the State of Hungary, and which shall be applicable equally to the aircraft of the State of Hungary and those of the Allied and Associated countries.

article 33.

All aerodromes in the State of Hungary open to national public traffic shall be open for the aircraft of the Allied and Associated powers, and in any such aerodrome such aircraft shall be treated on a footing of equality with Hungarian aircraft as regards charges of every description, including charges for landing and accommodation.

article 34.

Subject to the present provisions, the rights of passage, transit and landing, provided for in Articles 31, 32, and 33 are, subject to the observance of such regulations as Hungary may consider it necessary to enact, but such regulation shall be applied without distinction to aircraft belonging to the State of Hungary and to the aircraft of Allied and Associated countries.

article 35.

Certificates of nationality, air-worthiness, or competency and licenses, issued or recognised as valid by any of the Allied and Associated Powers, shall be recognised in the State of Hungary as valid and as equivalent to the certificates and licenses issued by the State of Hungary.

article 36.

As regards internal commercial air traffic, the aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall enjoy in the State of Hungary most favoured nation treatment.

article 37.

The State of Hungary undertakes to enforce the necessary measures to ensure that all Hungarian aircraft flying over her territory shall comply with the Eules as to lights and signals, Rules of the Air and Eules for Air Traffic on and in the neighbourhood of aerodromes, which have been laid down in the Convention relative to Aerial Navigation concluded between the Allied and Associated Powers.

article 38.

The obligations imposed by the preceding provisions shall remain in force until the 1st January, 1923, unless before that date the State of Hungary shall have been admitted into the League of Nations or shall have been authorised by consent of the Allied and Associated Powers; to adhere to the Convention relative to Aerial Navigation concluded between those Powers.

Inter-Allied Commissions of Control

article 39.

All the Military, Naval and Air Clauses contained in the present Treaty, for the execution of which a time limit is prescribed, shall be executed by the State of Hungary under the control of Inter-Allied Commissions (Military, Naval, Air) specially appointed for this purpose by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

The above mentioned Commissions will represent the Governments of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers in dealing with the Government of the State of Hungary in all matters concerning the execution of the Military, Naval or Air Clauses. They will communicate to the authorities of the State of Hungary the decisions which the Principal Allied and Associated Powers have reserved the right to take or which the execution of the Clauses may necessitate.

article 40.

The Inter-Allied Commissions of Control may establish their organisations at Budapest and shall be entitled, as often as they think desirable, to proceed to any point whatever in the territory of the State of Hungary, or to send a sub-Commission or to authorise one or more of their members to go to any such point.

article 41.

The Government of the State of Hungary must furnish to the Inter-Allied Commissions of Control all such information and documents as the latter may deem necessary to ensure the execution of their Mission; and all means (both in personnel and in material) which the above mentioned Commissions might need to ensure the complete execution of the Military, Naval or Air Clauses.

The Government of the State of Hungary must attach a qualified representative to each Inter-Allied Commission of Control with the duty of receiving from the latter any communications which it may have to address to the Government of the State of Hungary and to furnish it with, or to procure, all information or documents demanded.

article 42.

The upkeep and cost of the Commissions of Control and the expenses involved by their work shall be borne by the State of Hungary.

article 43.

It will be the special duty of the Military Inter-Allied Commission of Control to receive from the Government of the State of Hungary the notifications relating to the location of the stocks and depots of munitions, and the location of the works or factories for the production of arms, munitions and war material and their operations.

It will take delivery of the arms, munitions, war material and plant intended for war construction, will select the points where such delivery is to be effected and will supervise the works of destruction, and rendering things useless, or of transformation of material, which are to be carried out in accordance with the present Treaty.

article 44.

It will be the special duty of the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control to proceed to the building yards and to supervise the breaking-up of the ships which are under construction there, to take delivery of arms, munitions and naval war material, and to supervise the destruction and breaking-up provided for.

The Government of the State of Hungary must furnish to the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control all such information and documents as the Commission may deem necessary to ensure the complete execution of the naval clauses, in particular the designs of the warships, the composition of their armaments, the details and models of the guns, munitions, torpedoes, mines, explosives, wireless telegraphic apparatus, and in general everything relating to naval war material, as well as all legislative or administrative documents or regulations.

article 45.

It will be the special duty of the Aeronautical Inter-Allied Commission of Control to make an inventory of the Aeronautical material which is actually in the possession of the Government of the State of Hungary, to inspect aeroplane, balloon and motor manufactories, and factories producing arms, munitions and explosives capable of being used by aircraft, to visit all aerodromes, sheds, landing grounds, parks and depots which are now in Hungarian territory and to authorise where necessary a removal of material and to take delivery of such material.

The Government of the State of Hungary must furnish to the Aeronautical Inter-Allied Commission of Control all such information and legislative, administrative or other documents which the Commission may consider necessary to ensure the complete execution of the air clauses and in particular a list of the personnel belonging to all the air services of the State of Hungary and of the existing material, as well as of that in process of manufacture or on order, and a list of all establishments working for aviation, of their positions, and of all sheds and landing grounds.

General Clauses

article 46.

After the expiration of a period of three months from the coming into force of the present Treaty the laws of the State of Hungary must have been modified and shall be maintained by the Government of the State of Hungary in conformity with the first part of the present Treaty.

Within the same period all the administrative or other measures relating to the execution of this part of the Treaty must have been taken.

article 47.

The following portions of the Armistice of 3rd November, 1918 (Villa Giusti):—

Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 of Chapter 1 (Military Clauses),

Paragraphs 2, 3, 6 of Chapter 1 of the annexed Protocol (Military Clauses),

remain in force so far as they are not inconsistent with the above stipulations.

article 48.

The State of Hungary undertakes from the coming into force of the present Treaty not to accredit to any foreign country any Military, Naval or Air Mission and not to send, or allow to leave, any such Mission; it undertakes, moreover, to take the necessary measures to prevent nationals of the State of Hungary leaving its territory in order to enlist in the Army, the Fleet, or the Air Service of any foreign power, or to be attached to such with a view to helping in its training, or generally to give any assistance to the Military, Naval, or Air instruction in a foreign country.

The Allied and Associated Powers undertake, on their part, that from the coming into force of the present Treaty they will neither enlist in nor attach to their Armies, Fleets or Air Forces any national of the State of Hungary with the object of helping in military training or in general employ any national of the State of Hungary as a military, naval, or air instructor.

The present provision, however, in no way hinders the right of France to recruit her Foreign Legion in accordance with French Military Laws and regulations.

article 49.

So long as the present Treaty shall remain in force the State of Hungary undertakes to submit to any investigation that the League of Nations by a majority vote may consider necessary.

Versailles, 13 May, 1919.

1. The Italian Military Representative proposed the surrender of the above material should be made to the Italian Government on behalf of the Principal Allied and Associated Governments who would decide as to its disposal. [Footnote in the original.]
1. Vol. ii, p. 175.
2. The Italian Military Representative proposed the surrender of the above material should be made to the Italian Government on behalf of the Principal Allied and Associated Governments who would decide as to its disposal. [Footnote in the original.]
2. Vol. ii, p. 175.