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Show COVENANT OF THE LEAGUEDFNATIONS Complete Text of This Important Document As It Was Signed at Paris and Which Is Now Causing Discussion in This Country. The people of the Knifed Slates have been asked, by boih the proponents eud the opponents of the peace treaty Bad League of Nations covenant, to give expression to their desires as to the ratification of the treaty us It Btands or with amendments or reservations. reser-vations. Some of them have 'responded, 'respond-ed, at the meetings addressed by the president and by the opposing senators, sena-tors, or by communion t ions to their senators. But the vast majority of the people are handicapped by thir ignorance ig-norance of the matter. Probably not one in ten thousand lias read the covenant of t lie League of Nations as !t was presented to the senate, mainly main-ly because few have had the opportunity. oppor-tunity. In order that our readers may be prepared to do their full duty as citizens in regard to the controversy, the complete text of (he covenant is ! herewith presented, and they are asked to read it carefully. The high contracting- parties. In order to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security by the acceptance of obligations obliga-tions not to resort to war, by the prescription pre-scription of open, just, and honorable relations between nations, by the firm establishment of the understandings of International law as the actual rule of conduct among governments, and by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous scru-pulous respect for all treaty obligations obliga-tions in the dealings of organized peoples peo-ples with one another, agree to this covenant of the League of Nations. ARTICLE 1. The original members of the League of Nations shal1 be those of the signatories which are named in the annex to this covenant and also such of those other states named in the annex as shall accede without reservation reserva-tion to this covenant. Such accession shall be effected by a declaration deposited de-posited with the secretariat within two months of the coming into force of the covenant. Notice thereof shall be sent to all other members of the league. -TAny fully self-governing state, dominion, do-minion, pr colony not named in the annex an-nex may become a member of the league If its admission is agreed to by two-thirds of the assembly, provided that It Bhall give effective guarantees of its sincere intention to observe its International obligations, and shall accept ac-cept such regulations as may be prescribed pre-scribed by the league in regard to its JEiUtfcry naval and air forces and armaments. arm-aments. Any member of the league may, after two years' notice of Its intention so to do, withdraw from the league, provided that all its International obligations and all its obligations under this covenant cove-nant shall have been fulfilled at the time of Its withdrawal. ARTICLE S. The actron of the league under this covenant shall be effected through the Instrumentality of an assembly and of a. council, with a permanent secretariat, j. ARTICLE 3. The assembly shall Consist of representatives of the members of the league. The assembly shall meet at stated intervals in-tervals and from time to time as occasion occa-sion may require at the seat of the league or at such other place as may be decided upon. The assembly may deal at its meetings meet-ings with any matter within the sphere of action of the league or affecting the peace of the world. At meetings of the assembly each i member of the league shall have one vote, and may have not more than three representatives. ARTICLE 4. The council shall consist con-sist of represenatlves of the principal allied and associated powers, together with representatives of four other members of the league. These four members of the league shall be selected select-ed by the assembly from time to time in its discretion Until the appointment of the representatives of the four members mem-bers of the league first selected by the assembly, representatives of Belgium, Brazil, Spain, and Greece shall be members mem-bers of the council. With the approval of the majority of the assembly, the council may name members of the league whose representatives repre-sentatives shall always be members of the council; the council with like approval ap-proval may increase the number of members of the league to be selected by the assembly for representation on the council. The council shall meet from time to time as occasion may require, and at least once a year, at the seat of the league, or at such other place as may be decided upon. The council may deal at its meetings with any matter within the sphere of action of the league or affecting the peace of the world. Any member of the league not represented rep-resented on the council shall be invited in-vited to send a representative to sit as a member at any meeting of the council coun-cil during the consideration of matters specially affecting the interests of that member of the league. At meetings of the council, each member of the league represented on the council shall have one vote, and may have not more than one representative. repre-sentative. ARTICLE 5. Except where otherwise other-wise expressly provided in this covenant cove-nant or by the terms of the present treaty, decisions at any meeting of the assembly or of the council shall require re-quire the agreement of all the members mem-bers of the league represented at the meeting. All matters of procedure at meetings of the assembly or of the council, including in-cluding the appointment of committees to investigate particular matters, shall be regulated by the assembly or by the council and may be decided by a majority ma-jority of the members of the league represented at the meeting. The first meeting of the assembly and the first meeting of the council fhall be summoned by the president of the United States of America. ARTICLE 6. The permanent secretariat secre-tariat shall be established at the seat f the league. The secretariat shall comprise a secretary general ud such tcretartes and staff as may be re-Viired. re-Viired. The first secretary general shall be the person named in the annex; there-f there-f ter the secretary general shall be k .pointed by the council with the approval ap-proval of the majority of the assembly. The secretaries and staff of the sec retariat shall be appointed by the secretary sec-retary general with the approval of the ecu ncil. The secretary general shall act in that capacity at a. ! 1 nitings of the assembly as-sembly and of the council. Tli" expenses of th secretariat shall be borne by the members of the league in a '(.or da nee with t h a pport ion men t of ihti expenses of th international burenij 0f nie Universal Potai union. AltTIU.K 7. The seat of the L-a-ue Is est a M is bed at Geneva. The council may at any time df-eid-i that the se;,t of the leu .14 Lie shall be established es-tablished elsewhere. All posi 1 i oils under or in con necti on with the I'-aue, including the secretariat, secre-tariat, shall be open equally to men and women. itepresentati ves of the members of the league and ofiiciuls of the l-asn" when engaged on tiie busi 11 ess of the league shall enjoy diplomatic privileges privi-leges and imruunities. The buildings and other property occupied oc-cupied by the league or its officials or by representatives attend ing its meet -Ings whall be inviolable. A RTK'LK 8. The members of the league recognize that the maintenance of peace requires the reduction of national na-tional armaments to the lowest point consistent with national safety and the enforcement by common action of international in-ternational obi igat ions. The council, taking account of the geographical situation and circumstances circum-stances of each state, shall formulate plans for such reduction for the consideration con-sideration and action of the several governments. Such plans shall be subject to reconsideration recon-sideration and revision at least every ten years. After these plans shall have been adopted by the several governments, the limits of armaments therein fixed shall not be exceeded without the concurrence con-currence of the council. The members of the league agree that the manufacture by private enterprise enter-prise of munitions and implements of war is open to grave objections. The council shall advise how the evil effects ef-fects attendant upon such manufacture can be prevented, due regard being had to the necessities of those members of the league which are not able to manufacture man-ufacture the munitions and implements of war necessary for their safety. ! The members of the league undertake under-take to interchange full and frank information in-formation as to the scale of their armaments, arm-aments, their military and naval programs pro-grams and the condition of such of their industries as are adaptable to warlike purposes. ARTICLE 9. A permanent commission commis-sion shall be constituted to advise the council on the execution of the provisions provi-sions of articles 1 and 8 and on military mili-tary and naval questions generally. ARTICLE 10. The members of the league undertake to respect and preserve pre-serve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all members of the league. In case of any such aggression ag-gression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled. ARTICLE 11. Any war or threat of war, whether Immediately affecting any of the members of the league or not, is hereby declared a matter of concern con-cern to the whole league, and the league shall take any action that may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard safe-guard the peace of nations. In case any such emergency should arise the secretary general shall on the request of any member of the league forthwith summon a meeting of the council. It Is also declared to be the friendly right of each member of the league to bring to the attention of the assembly or of the council any circumstance whatever affecting international relations rela-tions which threatens to disturb International Inter-national peace or the good understanding understand-ing between nations upon which peace depends. ARTICLE 12. The members of the league agree that if there should arise between them any dispute likely to lead to a rupture, they will submit the matter either to arbitration or to inquiry in-quiry by the council, and they agree in no case to resort to war until three months after the award by the arbitrators arbitra-tors or the report by the council. In any case under this article the award of the arbitrators shall be made within a reasonable time, and the report re-port of the council shall be made within with-in six months after the submission of the dispute. ARTICLE 13. The members of the league agree that whenever any dispute dis-pute shall arise between them which they recognize to be suitable for submission sub-mission to arbitration and which cannot can-not be satisfactorily settled by diplomacy, diplo-macy, they will submit the whole subject sub-ject matter to arbitration. Disputes as to the interpretation of a treaty, as to any question of international interna-tional law, as to the existence of any fact which If established would constitute con-stitute a breach of any international obligation, or as to the extent and nature na-ture of the reparation to be made for any such breach, are declared to be among those which are generally suitable suit-able for submission to arbitration. For the consideration of any such dispute the court of arbitration to which the case is referred shall be the court agreed on by the parties to the dispute or stipulated in any convention con-vention existing between vhem. The members of the league agree that they will carry out in full good 4aith any award that may be rendered, and that they will not resort to war against a member of the league which complies therewith. In the event of any failure to carry out such an award, the council shall propose what steps should be taken to give effect thereto. ARTICLE 14. The council shall formulate for-mulate and submit to the members ot the league for adoption plans for the establishment of a permanent court of international justice. The court shall be competent to h-ear and determine deter-mine any dispute of an international character which the parties thereto submit to it. The court may also give an advisory opinion upon any dlsputt or question referred to It by the council coun-cil or by the assembly. ARTICLE 15. If there should arise between members of the league any dispute likely to lead to a rupture, which is not submitted to arbitration in accordance with article 13, the members mem-bers of the league agree that they will submit the matter to the council. Any party to the dispute may effect such submission by giving notice of the existence ex-istence of the dispute to the secretary general, who will make all necessary arrangements for a full investigation and consideration thereof. For this purpose the parties to the dispute will communicate to the secretary sec-retary general, as promptly as possible, statements of their case with all the relevant facts and papers, and the council may forthwith direct the publication pub-lication thereof. The council shall endeavor to effect a settlement of the dispute, and if such efforts are successful, a statement shall be made public giving such facts and explanations regarding the dispute and the terms of settlement thereor as the council may deem appropriate. If the dispute is not thus settled, the council either unanimously or by a majority ma-jority vote shall make and publish a report containing a statement of the facts of the dispute and the recommendations recom-mendations which are deemed Just and proper In regard thereto. Any member of the league represented repre-sented on the council may make public a statement of the facts of the dispute and of its conclusions regarding the same. If a report by the council is unanimously unani-mously a greed to by the members thereof other than tiie rf- p res en tat i ves of one or more of tiie parties to the dispute, the members of the league at; ree that they will not go to war wi Lh a n y pa rt y to the dispute which compii'-s with the recommendations of the r--p.rt. If th-- council f a i : - t o reach a report which is unanimously agreed to by the members ihtreoi. other than the vepre-sen vepre-sen ia ti ves of one or more of the par-ti-'S to the dispute, the members of the league reserve to themselves the right to take such action as they siiail con-sider con-sider necessary for the maintenance of right and justice, j if 1 1 1 e dispute between the parties is i claimed by one of them, and is found by the council to arise out of a matter which by international law is solely within the domes! ic jurisdiction of that party, the council shall so report, and shall make no recommendation as to its .settlement. The council may in any case under tfiis article refer the dispute to the assembly. as-sembly. The dispute shall be so referred re-ferred at the request of either party to the dispute, provided that such request be made within 14 days after the submission sub-mission of the dispute to the council. in any case referred to the assembly all the provisions of this article and of article 12 relating to the action and powers of the council shall apply to the action and powers of the assembly, assem-bly, provided that a report made by the assembly, if concurred in , by tiie representatives of those : members of the league represented on the council and of a majority of the other members of the league, exclusive in each case of the representatives represent-atives of the parties to the dispute, shall have the same force as a report by the council concurred in by all the members thereof other than the representatives repre-sentatives of one or more of the parties to the dispute. ARTICLE 10. Should any member of the league resort to war in disregard of its covenants under articles 12. 13, or 15, It shall ipso facto be deemed to have committed an act of war against all other members of the league, which ' hereby undertake immediately to subject sub-ject it to the severance of all trade or financial relations, the prohibition of all intercourse between their nationals and the nationals of the covenant-breaking covenant-breaking state, and the prevention of all financial, commercial, or personal intercourse between the nationals of the covenant-breaking state and the nationals of any other state, whether a member of the league or not. It shall be the duty of the council in such case to recommend to the several governments concerned what effective military, naval or air force the members mem-bers of the league shall severally contribute con-tribute to the armed forces to be used to protect the covenants of the league. The members of the league agree, further,' that ( they will mutually support sup-port one another in the financial and economic measures which are taken under this article, in order to minimize mini-mize the loss and inconvenience resulting re-sulting from the above measures, and that they will mutually support one another in resisting any special measures meas-ures aimed at one of their number by the covenant-breaking state, and that they will take the necessary steps to afford passage through their territory to the forces of any of the members of the league which are co-operating to protect the covenants of the league. Any member of the league which has violated any covenant of the league may be declared to be no longer- a member of the league by a vote of the council concurred In by the representatives representa-tives of all the other members of the league represented thereon. ARTICLE 17. In the event of a dispute dis-pute between a member of the league and a state which is not a member of league, or between states not members of the league, the state or states not members of the league shall be invited to accept the obligations of membership member-ship in the league for the purposes of such dispute, upon such conditions as the council may deem just. If such invitation in-vitation is accepted, the provisions of articles 12 to 16 Inclusive shall be applied ap-plied with such modifications as may be deemed necessary by the council. Upon such invitation being given the council shall immediately institute an inquiry into the circumstances of the dispute and recommend such action as may seem best and most effectual in the circumstances. If a state so invited shall refuse to accept the obligations of membership in the league for the purpose of such dispute, and shall resort to war against a member of the league, the provisions of article 16 shall be applicable as against the state taking such action. If both parties to the dispute when so invited refuse to accept the obligations obliga-tions of membership in the league for the purposes of such dispute, the council coun-cil may take such measures and make such recommendations as will prevent hostilities and will result in' the settlement set-tlement of the dispute. ARTICLE 18. Every treaty or International Inter-national engagement entered into hereafter here-after by any member of the league shall be forthwith registered with the secretariat and shall as soon as possible pos-sible be published by it. No such treaty or international engagement shall be binding until so registered. ARTICLE 10. The assembly may from time to time advise the reconsideration reconsid-eration by members of the league of treaties which have become inapplicable and the consideration of international conditions whose continuance might endanger the peace of the world. ARTICLE 20. The members of the league severally agree that this covenant cove-nant is accepted as abrogating all obligations ob-ligations or understandings inter se which are inconsistent with the terms thereof, and solemnly undertake that they will not hereafter enter into any engagements inconsistent with the terms thereof. In case any member of the league shall, before becoming a member of the league, have undertaken any obligations ob-ligations inconsistent with the terms of this covenant, it shall be the duty of such member to take immediate steps to procure its release from such obligations. obli-gations. ARTICLE 21. Nothing in this covenant cove-nant shall be deemed to affect the validity va-lidity of International engagements, such as treaties of arbitration or regional re-gional understandings like the Monroe Doctrine, for securing the maintenance of peace. ARTICLE 22. To those colonies and territories which as a consequence of the late war have ceased to be under the sovereignty of the states which formerly governed them and which are inhabited by peoples not yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous strenu-ous conditions of the modern world, there should be applied the principle that the well-being and development of such peoples form a sacred trust of civilisation arid that securities for the performance of this trust should be embodied in this covenant. The best method of giving practical effect to this principle Is that the tutelage tute-lage of such people should be Intrusted to advanced nations who by reason of their resources, their experience or their geographical position can beat undertake this responsibility, and who are willing to accept it. and that this tutelage should be exercised by them as mandataries on behalf of the league, The character ' the nianuaie must differ according to the suge development devel-opment of the people, the geographical situation of the territory, its economic conditions and other similar circumstances. circum-stances. Certain com m ; m i t ; . formerly belonging be-longing to the Turkish empire have reached a stage of development where thei r existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognized subject to the render'! ng of ad mi a is t ra live advice ad-vice and assitance by a manaatary until un-til such lime as they are ame to stand alone. The wishes of these communities communi-ties must be a principal consideration in the selection of the mandatary. Other peoples, especia 1 ly those ol central Africa, are at such a stage that the mandatary must be responsible for the administration of the territory under un-der conditions which will guarantee freedom of conscience and religion, subject only to the maintenance of public pub-lic order and morals, the prohibition of abuses such as the slave trade, the arms trafllc and the liquor traffic, and the prevention of the establishment of forti Ilea t ions or military and naval bases and of military training of the natives for other than police purposes and the defense of territory, and will also secure equal opportunities for the trade and commerce of other members of the league. There are territories, such as Southwest South-west Africa and certain of the South Pacific islands, which, owing to the sparseness of their population or their small size, or their remoteness from the centers of civilization, or their geographical geo-graphical contiguity to the territory of the mandatory, and other circumstances, circum-stances, can be best administered under the laws of the mandatary as integral portions of its territory, subject to the safeguards above mentioned In the interests in-terests of the indigenous population. In every case of mandate the mandatary man-datary shall render to the council an annual report in reference to the territory ter-ritory committed to its' charge. The degree of authority, control, or administration to be exercised by the mandatary shall, if not previously agreed upon by the members of the league, be explicitly denned In each case by the council. A permanent commission shall be constituted to receive and examine the annual reports of the mandataries and to advise the council on all matters relating re-lating to the observance of the man' dates. ARTICLE 23. Subject to and in accordance ac-cordance with the provisions of international inter-national conventions existing or hereafter here-after to be agreed upon, the members of the league: I (a) will endeavor to secure and I maintain fair and humane conditions of labor for men, women, and children, both la their own countries and in all countries to which their 'commercial and industrial relations extend, and for that , purpose will establish and maintain the necessary international in-ternational organizations; (b) undertake to secure just treat ment of the native inhabitants inhab-itants of territories under control; (c) will intrust the league with the general supervision over the execution of agreements with i regard to the traffic in women wom-en and children and the traffic traf-fic in opium and other dangerous dan-gerous drugs; (d) will intrust the league with the general supervision of the trade in arms and ammunition ammuni-tion with the countries in which the control of this traffic is necessary in the common interest; (e) will make provision to secure and maintain freedom of communications and of transit tran-sit and equitable treatment for the commerce of all members of the league. In 1 this connection the special necessities of the regions devastated during the war of 1914-1918 shall be borne in mind; (f) will endeavor to take steps in matters of international concern con-cern for the prevention and i control of disease. j ARTICLE 24. There shall be placed under the direction of the league all international bureaus already established estab-lished by general treaties if the parties to such treaties consent. All such international in-ternational bureaus and all commissions commis-sions for the regulation of matters of international interest hereafter constituted consti-tuted shall be placed under the direction direc-tion of the league. In all mattes of international interest inter-est which are regulated by general conventions but which are not placed under the control of international bureaus bu-reaus or commissions, the secretariat of the league shall, subject to the consent con-sent of the council and if desired by the parties, collect and distribute all relevant information and shall render any other assistance which may be necessary nec-essary or desirable. The council may include as part of the expenses of the secretariat the expenses ex-penses of any bureau or commission which is placed under the direction of the league. ARTICLE 25. The members of the league agree to encourage and promote the establishment and co-operation of duly authorized voluntary national Red Cross organizations having as purposes the improvement of health, the prevention preven-tion of disease, and the mitigation of ! suffering throughout the world. A KTICLE 20. Amendments to this covenant will take effect when ratified by the members ct the league whose representatives compose the council and by a majority of the members of ! the league whose representatives com- ! pose the assembly. ! No such amendment shall bind any ; member of the league which signifies 1 its dissent therefrom, but in that case ! it shall cease to be a member of the 1 league. ANNEX. I. Original members of the League of Nations signatories of the tr faty of peace: United States of Haiti. America. Hedjaz. Belgium. Honduras. Bolivia. Italy. Brazil. Japan. British Kmplre. Liberia. Canada. Nicaragua. Australia. Panama. South Africa. Peru. New Zealand. Poland. India. Portugal. China. Roumania. CUDa. 6erb-Croat-Slo-Ecuador. vene state. France. Slam. Greece. Czecho-Slovakla. Guatemala. Uruguay. States invited to accede to the covenant: cove-nant: Argentine Repub- Paraguay. lie. Persia. Chile. Salvador. Colombia. Spain. , Denmark. Sweden. Netherlands. Switzerland. Norway. Venezuela, II. First secretary general of thf 1 League of Nations: I The Honorable Sir James Eric Drun mond, K. C. M. C. B |
