(1) Belligerents[360] are forbidden to lay _unanchored_ automatic contact mines, unless they be so constructed as to become harmless one hour at most after those who laid them have lost control over them, and it is forbidden to lay _anchored_ automatic contact mines which do not become harmless as soon as they have broken loose from their moorings (article 1). (2) It is forbidden to lay automatic contact mines off the coasts and ports of the enemy, with the sole object of intercepting commercial navigation (article 2).[361] (3) When anchored automatic contact mines are employed, every possible precaution must be taken for the security of peaceful navigation. The belligerents must provide, as far as possible, for these mines becoming harmless after a limited time has elapsed, and, where the mines cease to be under observation, to notify the danger zones as soon as military exigencies permit, by notice to mariners, which must also be communicated to the Governments through the diplomatic channel (article 3). (4) At the close of the war, each Power must remove the mines laid by it. As regards anchored automatic contact mines laid by one of the belligerents off the coasts of the other, their position must be notified to the other party by the Power which laid them, and each Power must proceed with the least possible delay to remove the mines in its own waters (article 5). (5) The Convention remains in force for seven years, but, unless denounced, it continues in force afterwards (article 11). According to article 12, however, the contracting Powers agree to reopen the question of the employment of automatic contact mines after six and a half years unless the Third Peace Conference has already taken up and settled the matter. [Footnote 359: See Lawrence, _War_, pp. 93-111; Wetzstein, _Die Seeminenfrage im Völkerrecht_ (1909); Rocholl, _Die Frage der Minen im Seekrieg_ (1910); Barclay, pp. 59 and 158; Lémonon, pp. 472-502; Higgins, pp. 328-345; Boidin, pp. 216-235; Dupuis, _Guerre_, Nos. 331-358; Scott, _Conferences_, pp. 576-587; Martitz in the _Report of the 23rd Conference (1906) of the International Law Association_, pp. 47-74; Stockton in _A.J._ II. (1908), pp. 276-284.] [Footnote 360: As regards neutrals, see below, § 363_a_.] [Footnote 361: France and Germany have signed with reservations against article 2.]