التحقيق

أوصت لجنة التحقيق بإعادة الألزاس واللورين إلى فرنسا، وإعادة أجزاء من سارلاند التي كانت فرنسا تسيطر عليها قبل عام 1815 إليها، وتجريد منطقة الراينلاند من السلاح. ^{[ 5 ]} كما أوصت بإلغاء حياد بلجيكا والسماح لها بضم أراضٍ في منطقة ماستريخت لأسباب استراتيجية، وفي منطقة مالميدي لأسباب عرقية. ^{[ 6 ]} وأوصت أيضًا بضم لوكسمبورغ إلى بلجيكا أو استعادة استقلالها. ^{[ 7 ]} وفي الوقت نفسه، أوصت اللجنة بإجراء استفتاء شعبي في شمال شليسفيغ ، على أن تُنقل المنطقة من ألمانيا إلى الدنمارك إذا رغب سكانها بذلك. ^{[ 8 ]}

The Inquiry suggested that if it was possible for Russia to become a genuine federal and democratic state, the Baltic states (with the possible exception of Lithuania) and Ukraine should be encouraged to reunify with Russia because of the belief that it would best serve the economic interests of everyone involved.^[9] Meanwhile, if the Bolsheviks maintained their control of Russia, the Inquiry suggested that the independence of the Baltic states and Ukraine be recognized, with a referendum on reunion with Russia at some future better time.^[9] The borders that the Inquiry proposed for Ukraine, Latvia, and Estonia were very similar to their 1991 borders. Indeed, the Inquiry even suggested that Crimea be given to Ukraine.^[10]

The Inquiry expressed support for Finnish independence and also expressed a desire, never realized, that Åland be transferred from Finland to Sweden.^[11] It was recommended that an independent Poland be created, encompassing all indisputably Polish areas, that Poland and Lithuania unite if possible, and that Poland "be given secure and unhampered access to the Baltic [Sea]" through a Polish Corridor.^[12] While acknowledging that it would be unfortunate to separate East Prussia, with its 1,600,000 Germans, from the rest of Germany, the Inquiry considered that to be better than denying Poland, a nation of 20,000,000 people, access to the sea. In addition, the Inquiry expressed confidence that Germany could easily be assured railroad transit across the Polish Corridor.^[12] As for Poland's eastern borders, the Inquiry kept the door open to Polish annexation of eastern Galicia and Belarusian-majority territories to its north.^[12]

In the Caucasus, the Inquiry suggested an independent Armenia in the borders contemplated for Wilsonian Armenia, and provisional independence for both Georgia and Azerbaijan.^[13] In addition, the idea of a future union of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan (in the form of a Transcaucasian Federation) was discussed and viewed favorably by the Inquiry.^[13]

It was suggested that Czechoslovakia be created out of the Czech-majority and Slovak-majority areas of the former Austria-Hungary.^[14] In addition, it was suggested that Czechoslovakia include the Sudetenland, Subcarpathian Ruthenia, and more than 500,000 Hungarians (Magyars) south of Slovakia.^[14]

The Inquiry advised that Romania be allowed to annex all of Bessarabia, the Romanian-majority part of Bukovina, all of Transylvania, the Romanian-majority areas in Hungary proper, and about two thirds of the Banat.^[15] In addition, the Inquiry suggested having Romania cede Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria, which ultimately occurred in 1940.^[15] Meanwhile, it was suggested that an "independent federated Yugo-Slav state" be created out of Serbia, Montenegro, and the Serbian, Croatian, and Slovenian territories of the former Austria-Hungary.^[16]

The Inquiry acknowledged that the Brenner Pass, which had been promised to Italy in the 1915 Treaty of London, would give Italy the best strategic frontier, but it recommended a line somewhat further south, to reduce the number of ethnic Germans in Italy while still giving Italy a frontier more defensible than the prewar border.^[17] In addition, it was suggested that Italy be allowed to annex Istria, with its many ethnic Italians, but not Italian-majority Fiume, given that city's importance to Yugoslavia.^[18] The Inquiry also advised that Italy end its occupation of Rhodes and the Dodecanese Islands and give the islands to Greece, in accordance with the wishes of their inhabitants, something that was not done until 1947, after World War II.^[18] The Inquiry recommended that Italian Libya "be given a hinterland adequate for access to the Sudan and its trade."^[18]

It was recommended that German Austria, later renamed the Republic of Austria, be established as an independent state and be given an outlet for trade at Trieste, Fiume, or both cities.^[19] Meanwhile, it was suggested that Hungary be given independence with borders similar to those it ultimately received by the Treaty of Trianon and that it to be given an outlet for trade at either Trieste or Fiume as well as "rights of unrestricted commerce on the lower Danube."^[20] The Inquiry advised that the German-majority Burgenland remain part of Hungary to avoid "disturb[ing] long-established institutions," at least until it became clear that the people there indeed desired union with Austria.^[21]

No specific recommendations were given for Albania, given the extremely complex nature of the situation there.^[22]

The Inquiry suggested that Constantinople become an internationalized state and that the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles be permanently open to ships and commercial vessels of all countries, with international guarantees to uphold that status.^[23] Meanwhile, it was advised that an independent Turkish Anatolian state be created, to be superintended by one of the Great Powers under a League of Nations mandate.^[24]

Also, the Inquiry suggested that independent Mesopotamian and Syrian states be created under a League of Nations mandate, with the mandates awarded to powers to be named later.^[25] The proposed Syrian state would consist of territories that are now part of Lebanon, northern Jordan, and western Syria. Meanwhile, the proposed Mesopotamian state would consist of territories now part of Iraq and northeastern Syria.^[25] In addition, it was advised that the option to create an Arab confederation, to include Mesopotamia and Syria, be kept open.^[25]

أما بالنسبة لفلسطين، فقد نُصِحَ بإنشاء دولة مستقلة تحت الانتداب البريطاني . ^{[ 26 ]} وسيُدعى اليهود للاستيطان في فلسطين شريطة ضمان حماية الحقوق الشخصية والدينية وحقوق الملكية للسكان غير اليهود، مع وضع المواقع المقدسة للدولة تحت حماية عصبة الأمم. ^{[ 26 ]} وكان من المقرر أن تعترف العصبة بفلسطين كدولة يهودية حالما يتم ذلك فعلياً. ^{[ 26 ]}

أما بالنسبة للجزيرة العربية ، فقد تم اقتراح عدم تقديم المساعدة لملك الحجاز لفرض حكمه على القبائل العربية غير الراغبة. ^{[ 27 ]}