The German-American Treaty of Mutual Friendship and Non-Aggression

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Friday, January 20th 2006, 12:35am

Treaty of Mutual Friendship and Non-Aggression

Contents of the agreement:

Introduction
Part 1 – Foreign policy agreements
Part 2 – Trade
Part 3 – Non-commercial services
Part 4 – Non-aggression pact agreements

Introduction

The governments of the United States and Germany, desiring to strengthen the cause of peace between their nations, have agreed on a series of measures as follows.

PART 1 – FOREIGN POLICY AGREEMENTS

Article I. The high contracting parties declare their desire to unite with other like-minded States in adopting proposals for common action to preserve peace and resist aggression in the post-war period.

Article II. Pending adoption of such proposals, they will after termination of hostilities take all measures in their power to render impossible the repetition of aggression and violation of peace by the aggressor or any of the States associated with her in acts of aggression.

PART 2 – TRADE

Article I. The Contracting Powers agree to reduce customs duties between their nations by 45 percent

Article II. The High Contracting Parties shall agree to share technological information mutually beneficial to both nations.

Article III. The United States shall provide for the sale of supplies of helium sufficient for the operation of commercial, non-military, airships by Germany, in so far as those sales do not compromise helium supplies for the United States’ domestic uses.

PART 3 – NON-COMMERCIAL SERVICES

Article I. The United States and the Republic of Germany agree to protect civilian shipping of the other nation in international waters adjacent to their own territorial waters.

Article II. The United States and The Republic of Germany will initiate a program of officer exchanges between military colleges in both countries.

PART 4 – NON-AGGRESSION PACT AGREEMENTS

Article I. Both High Contracting Parties obligate themselves to desist from any act of violence, any aggressive action, and any attack on each other, either individually or jointly with other Powers.

Article II. Should one of the High Contracting Parties become the object of belligerent action by a third Power, the other High Contracting Party shall in no manner lend its support to this third Power.

Article III. The Governments of the two High Contracting Parties shall in the future maintain continual contact with one another for the purpose of consultation in order to exchange information on problems affecting their common interests.

Article IV. Should disputes or conflicts arise between the High Contracting Parties, both party's shall not participate in any grouping of Powers whatsoever that is directly or indirectly aimed at the other party.

Article V. Both high contracting parties shall not participate in any grouping of powers in any expansionist act within the other high contracting parties’ sphere of influence or against any of its territories.

Article VI. Should disputes or conflicts arise between the High Contracting Parties over problems of one kind or another, both parties shall settle these disputes or conflicts exclusively through friendly exchange of opinion or, if necessary, through the establishment of arbitration commissions.

Article VII. The present Treaty is concluded for a period of 5 years, with the proviso that, in so far as one of the High Contracting Parties does not advance it one year prior to the expiration of this period, the validity of this Treaty shall automatically be extended for another five years.

Article VIII. The present treaty shall be ratified within the shortest possible time. The ratifications shall be exchanged in Washington. The Agreement shall enter into force as soon as it is signed.

Article IX. Neither of the Contracting Powers shall, under any circumstances, be obligated to provide any form of military aid to the other Contracting Power.

The Treaty of Mutual Friendship and Non-Aggression is written in German and English, all texts being equally authentic.

Signed by German Foreign Minister Gustav Stresseman and American Secretary of State Cordell Hull, this date, July 4th 1929, in Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America.