[665] Annex 19 SYNOPTIC TABLE OF THE PRECEDING PROPOSITIONS AND ARTICLE 1 It is forbidden to lay anchored automatic submarine contact mines beyond the limit indicated in Article 2. ARTICLE 2 (The limit mentioned in Article 1 extends to three nautical miles from the low-water mark along the whole extent of the coast. For bays it follows the sinuosities of the coast except that it is measured from a straight line drawn across the bay in the part nearest the opening towards the sea where the spread between the two coasts of the bay is six nautical miles in width.)* Before fortified military ports the limit may be extended to a distance of ten miles from shore batteries. (Fortified ports shall be considered as war ports if they possess at least a large graving-dock and are equipped with the apparatus necessary for construction and repair of war vessels, and if there is maintained there in time of peace a body of workmen paid by the State to effect the construction and repair of war vessels.) 1 Annexes 9-18. The British proposition, slightly modified as to form, is taken as a basis. [669] Annex 21 AMENDMENT OF THE NETHERLAND DELEGATION TO THE SYNOPTIC TABLE1 ARTICLE 1 Add the following provision: Nevertheless, anchored contact mines, if under control, may also be employed in the area of the immediate activity of the belligerents, provided the necessary precautions are taken for the safety to which neutrals are entitled. 'Annex 22 AMENDMENTS OF THE NETHERLAND DELEGATION TO THE SYNOPTIC TABLE1 Add the following provision: ARTICLE 1 Nevertheless, anchored automatic contact mines shall be permitted within the area of the immediate activity of the belligerents, provided precautions are taken for the safety to which neutrals are entitled; it is especially necessary if these mines are left to themselves that they cease to be harmful after a maximum period of two hours. ARTICLE 5 In any case, the communication between two open seas cannot be barred entirely, and passage will be permitted only on conditions which are indicated by the competent authorities. Annex 23 PROPOSAL OF THE GERMAN DELEGATION BASED ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSITIONS AND AMENDMENTS ALREADY SUBMITTED I United States, Japan, Germany The laying of automatic contact mines is permitted to belligerents only in their territorial waters and those of their adversaries, and in the area of the immediate activity of the belligerents. Unanchored automatic contact mines are forbidden with the exception of those constructed in such a way as to become harmless after a limited time, so as to offer no danger to neutral vessels. III United States Anchored automatic contact mines which do not become innocuous on getting adrift are prohibited. IV United States, Netherlands, Germany If anchored contact mines are employed, all necessary precautions must be taken for the safety of legitimate navigation. The belligerents undertake especially in case these mines are left to themselves to notify, as soon as possible, the danger zones to the public, or to render them harmless within a limited time, so that a peril to legitimate shipping may, as far as possible, be removed. V A sufficient period of time shall be given Governments to put into use perfected mine apparatus. VI At the latest, at the end of the war each belligerent removes the mines placed outside its territorial waters. Moreover, belligerents mutually communicate the necessary information as to the placing of the automatic contact mines that each has laid along the coasts of the other, and each belligerent or neutral must proceed as soon as possible to the removal of the mines found in its waters. Annex 24 AMENDMENT OF THE NETHERLAND DELEGATION TO THE SYNOPTIC TABLE1 ARTICLE 2 Before military ports the limit may be extended to a distance of six nautical miles from the shore batteries. Military ports shall be considered to be those which appear as such in the official list of the navy. [669] Annex 21 AMENDMENT OF THE NETHERLAND DELEGATION TO THE SYNOPTIC TABLE1 ARTICLE 1 Add the following provision: Nevertheless, anchored contact mines, if under control, may also be employed in the area of the immediate activity of the belligerents, provided the necessary precautions are taken for the safety to which neutrals are entitled. 'Annex 22 AMENDMENTS OF THE NETHERLAND DELEGATION TO THE SYNOPTIC TABLE1 Add the following provision: ARTICLE 1 Nevertheless, anchored automatic contact mines shall be permitted within the area of the immediate activity of the belligerents, provided precautions are taken for the safety to which neutrals are entitled; it is especially necessary if these mines are left to themselves that they cease to be harmful after a maximum period of two hours. ARTICLE 5 In any case, the communication between two open seas cannot be barred entirely, and passage will be permitted only on conditions which are indicated by the competent authorities. Annex 23 PROPOSAL OF THE GERMAN DELEGATION BASED ON THE DIFFERENT PROPOSITIONS AND AMENDMENTS ALREADY SUBMITTED I United States, Japan, Germany The laying of automatic contact mines is permitted to belligerents only in their territorial waters and those of their adversaries, and in the area of the immediate activity of the belligerents. 1 Annex 19. |