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REVISED COVENANT ( NATIONS NIMBI Document Designed to Promote and to Achieve International - out Besor i . FOR CLEMER UNOERSTtMDING . The High Contracting Parties A% tain a Scrupulous Respect f in All Their Dealings Washington.?The state department n made public the text of the revised b covenant of the league of nations, as r it was presented to the plenary session of the peace conference $t Paris, t< The text follows, with parenthetical a incprtmn a ahnvinv r?"h a r? craa ttiqHa in ti the covenant as originally drafted and ? made public: j Covenant of the League of Nations, h In order to promote international s co-operation and to achieve interna- f< tional peace and security, by the acceptance of obligations not to resort f to war, by the prescription of open, v just and honorable relations between a nations, by the firm establishment of c the understandings of international n law as to actual rule of conduct among t< governments, and by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for n all treaty obligations in the dealings tl of organized peoples with one another, n the high contracting parties agree to e this covenant of the league of nations. (In the original preamble the last o sentence reads, "adopt this constitu- o tion," instead of "agree to this cove- P nant.") tl Article One. The original members of the league of nations shall be those of the sig- ? * natories which are named in the an- ^ nex to this covenant and also attch of those other states named in the an nex as shall accede without re'servaition to this covenant Svefc NIMH * 'shall be effected by a leetottal to* * posnea wun uie Becreianat wiinm two months of the coming into force of the covenant. Notice thereof shall . .'be sent to all other members of the ?' A -league. J ; ^ ! >( Any fully self-governing state, -do- r< minion or colony not named in the anI v mi may become a member of the j league of nations if its admission is B agreed to by two-thirds of the assem- 0 } bly, provided that it shall give effec- ^ | tive guarantees of its sincere in tention to observe its international obligations, and shall accept such regula- p tions as may be prescribed by the * league In regard to its military and a naval forces and armaments. Any member of the league, may, after two years* notice of its intention ei so to do, withdraw from the league, T provided that all its international obli- n cations and all its oblieations under a this covenant shall have been fulfilled *t the time of its withdrawal. 1 ti (This article is new, embodying a with alteration* and additions the old a article seven, ft provides more spe- p cifically the method of admitting new members and adds the entirely new * . paragraph providing for withdrawal from the league. No mention of with- 0 s drawal was made in the original document) ; tl Article Twe. 81 The action of the league under this b covenant shall be effeoted through ^ the instrumentality of an assembly n and of a council, with a permanent ^ secretariat u (Originally this was a part of article one. It gives the name assem- g dij 10 us |>uu)nu{ 01 npmicuui' Q tires of the members of the league, t( formerly referred to merely as "the _ body of delegates.") - ? Article Three. * The assembly shall consist ef resentatives of the members of the league. . ? The assembly shall meet at stated intervals and from time to time as occasion may require, at the seat of 6 the league, or at such other p&ace as may be decided upon. The assembly may deal at its meet- t! tags with any matter within the a sphere of action of the league or affecting the pea e of the world. fcl - At meetings of the assembly, each * member of the league shall have one rote, and may have not more than ^ three representatives. (This embodies parts of the orlg- e inol article onu, two and three with pnly minpr changes. It refers to "members' of Ihe league" where the term "high contracting parties" orig- 1 Ina'Jv was used, and this change is ? followed througiout the revised draft.) ^ Arlcle Four. a The council shall consist of repre- 8 sentatives of the United States of 0 America, of the British empire, of y France, of It$ly and of Japan, together ' with representatives of four other members of tba league. These four n members of the league shall be select- r * ed by the "assembly from time to time 8 in its discretica. Until the appoint- 6 ment of the representatives of the 1 fAtrr members >f the league first se- n lected by the assembly, represent*-1 tires of (blank) shall b? ta~ * * the council. 8 With approval of the majority of 5 r""' the assembly. t ?e cooncfl may name 8 additional mem' era of the ' league > F' who?e repreaen' itires shall always be members of the council; the eooneil c with like appro ral may taereaee the * : 1 , IF LEAGUE OF FORE CONFERENCE * V i International Go-Operation Peace and Security Witht to War. 5 OF INTEMUnONU. U* free in This Covenant to Main or All Treaty Obligations With One Another. umber of members of the league t< e selected by the assembly for rep esentation on the council. The council shall meet from tim< o time as occasion may require anc t least once a year, at the seat o be league, or at such other place a: lav be decided uDon. The council may deal at Its meet ags with any matter within th< phere of action of the league or a I scting the peace of the world. Any member of the league not rep esented on the council shall be in ited to send a representative to si' s a member at any meeting of th< ouncil during the consideration o: latters specifically affecting the in wests of that member of the league At meetings of the council, eacl lember of the league represented 01 tie council shall have one vote, ant lay have not more than one repres ntative. , (This embodies that part of th< riginal article three designating the riginal members of the council. The aragraph providing for increase ir le membership of the council ii new.] Article Five. Except where otherwise expreeslj rovided in this covenant, decisiont t any meeting of the assembly or ol le council shall require the agree tent of all the members of the league ^presented at the meeting. to tfi estigate particular matters shall bt ggulated by the assembly or by th( ouncil^-and may be decided by asm a >rity. of the members of the league ^presented at the meeting. The first meeting of the assembl5 ad the first meeting at the counci! hall be summoned by the President f the United States of America. (The first paragraph requiring tm aimous agreement in both assembly Rd council except where otherwise rovided is new. The other two para raphs originally were included li rticle four.) Article Six. The permanent secretariat thai) b< Btablished at the seat of the league 'he secretariat shall comprise a sec stariat general and such secretaries nd staff as may be required. The first secretary general shall be le person named in the annex; there rter the secretary general snail o< ppointed by the council with the ap roval of the majority of the assembly The secretaries and the staff of th< scretarlat shall be appointed by thi ecretary general with the approrra f the council. The secretary general shall act li hat capacity-at all meetingi ef the ai mbly and of the council. .' The expenses of the secretariat shal e borne by the members of the leagui 1 accordance with the apportion lent of the expenses of the interna lonal bureau of universal posta nion. (This replaces the original articU ve. In the original the appointment C the first secretary general was left > the council, and approval of the of the feagM fe wftaWlrfi d at Geneva. The council may at any time decid< hat the seat of the league shall b< stablished elsewhere. All positions under or in <*onnectior rith the league, including the seere sxiat, shall be open equally to mei nd women. Representatives or the members oi tie league and officials of the leagu< rhen engaged on the business of the jague shall enjoy diplomatic privi sges and immunities. The building and other property ec upied by the league or its officials oi y representatives attending its meet ags shall be inviolable. (Embodying parts of the old ar icles five and six, this article name: reneva instead of leaving the seat ol he league to be chosen later, ant dds the provision for changing tin eat in the future. The paragrapl pening position to women equally rith men is new). Article Eight. The members of the league recog lie that the maintenance of a peac< equiree the reduction of nationa rmament to the lowest point consist nc wltfi national saiety ana uie en orcement by common action of Inter atlonal obligation. The conned, taking account of th< ?Qm!>hical situation and elrcvm rfMA ilans for inch redaction for the eon Ideratk* ni Mttaft ?f ttft MM orenmeBts. ftaeh ptaai shall be subject to n n*M?Fatlon a*d rvrtslon ?t tea* ry 10 run, After these plans shall have been tt adopted by the several governments, pi limits of armaments therein fixed {1 shall not be: exceeded without the di ' concurrence of the council. w > The members of the league agree to , that the manufacture by private en- U terprise of munitions and implements p; ' at war is open to grave objections, a The council shall advise how the evil ? effects attendant upon such manufac- tit ture can be prevented, due regard be- P1 ing had to the necessities of those w which are not able to manufacture the munitions and implements of war h necessary for their safety. if The members of the league under- a (take, to interchange full and franklin- si formation as to the scale of their tS armaments, their military and naval tl programs and the condition of such p . of their industries as are adaptable to warlike purposes. ? tl (This covers the ground of the a original article eight, but is rewrit- li ten to make It clearer that armament o reduction plans must be adopted by n ) the nations affected before they be- Ji - come effective). / Article Nine. * i A permanent commission shall be 11 1 constituted to advise the council on j d f the expectation of the provisions of lr 3 articles one and eight and on military and naval questions generally. tr (Unchanged except for the inser- tl 3 tion of the words "article one"). v Mnicic i on. a The members of the league under- & - take to respect and preserve^ as - against external aggression the'ter- ci t rltorial integrity and existing political tl i independence of all members of the ? league. In case of any such aggres- p - sion, or in case of any threat or dan- b . ger of such aggression, t&e council a 1 shall advise upon the means by which g i this obligation shall be fulfilled. a I (Virtually unchanged). , tl Article Eleven. U Any war or threat of war, whether. f< ; immediately affecting ' any of the i members of the league or not, Is 5 hereby declared a matter of concern -d i to the whole league, and the league f{ I shall take any action that may be /deemed wise and effectual to safe- y r suard the peace of nations. In oase ^ ' any euch emergencies should arise, n ? the secretary general shall on the re- j request of any member k>{ the league, ! forthwith summon a meeting of the . jsouncil.' It ! also ioclared to tie the funda- ' * > Q29tt SWtt OMt member of the tefigue to bring to the attention of the J assembly or of the council any cir- ^ ? cumst&nces whatever affecting inter" national relations which threatens to > disturb either the peace or the fcood , understanding between nations upon ? r f^hioh peace depends. * 1 (In the original it was provided 1 t that the "high contracting parties re- ^ serve the right to take any action," etc., where the rtevteed draft reads ^ r "the league shall take any action," " s etc.) 1 - 0 Art Ids Twelve. c 1 The members of the league agree " that, if there should arise between .. them any dispute likely to lead tcl a . i rupture, they will submit the matter . either to arbitration or to inquiry by ? - the council, and they agree in no caee . j to resort to war until three months . after the award by the arbitrators or ' > the report of the council. ^ In any case under this article the ^ s award of the arbitrator! shall be Q made with la a reasonable time, and ? . the report of the council shall be t s made within a reasonable time, and p s submission of the dispute. I (Virtually unchanged except that some provisions of the original are i eliminated for inclusion in other ar tides). r Aptlel* Thlrttcn. H 1 The members of the league agree ? i that whnever any dispute shall arise c - between them -which tfcey recognize 0 - to fee suitable for submission to arbd- f1 tration and torfcioh cannot be satiefac- * torily settled by diplomacy, they frill 0 i submit the whole subject matter to 0 t arbitration. Disputes as to the inter- t k pretation of -a treaty, as to any ques- a s tion of international law, as to the 0 r wMMM fd AAjr tact which ie estab- 8 1 MM flnH MBBtltute a breach of * aajr tatsraational obligation, or as to n > th% orient and mature of ths repara- v Hon to be made for any such breach, u i the declared to be among those which j are generally suitable for submission Jl to arbitration. For the consideration t of any euch dispute the court of ajbi- 8 . tratkm to which the case is referred 11 l shall be the court agreed on by the c parties to the dispute or stipulated in 1 t any convention existing between them. * The members of the league agree ? that they will carry out in full good r faith any award that may be rendered F and that they will not resort to war e against a member of the league which u r complies therewith. In the event of n - any failure to carry out euch an 3 ~ choll nrnnnao what ^ ^ steps should be taken to give effect 8 } thereto. n t (Only minor changes in language.) * I Article Fourteen. i The oouncil shall formulate and a i submit to the members of the league t r for adoption plans for the estab- ? llshment of a pennaneat court of international justice. The court shall be - competent to hear and determine any > dispute of aa. international character ' 1 *which the parties thereto submit to 1J - it The court may aiso give an ad- T vieory opinion upon any dispute or ? question. referred to it by the oouncil ; or by the assembly. ? * rnnnVinnuAfi for th? addition of the last sentence.) Article Fifteen. -) If there should arise . between j I jm embers of the league smj dispute I llVely to lead to a rapture, which to ' - net sobstitted to arbitration m abore,' c I the members of the league i|TM 1 that they will submit the matter to 1 le council. Any party to the di? it* may effect such submission by Ting notice of the existence erf the apute to the oecertary general, who ill make all necessary arrangements ir a full investigation and considers/-., on thereof. # For this purpose the irties to the dispute will comruuniite to the secretary general as rosnpUy as poapible, statmenta o< teir case, an tne relevant racis ana irposes. The council may forthith direct th? publication thereof. The council shall endeavor to el\cX a, settlement of any dispute, and such efforts are successful, a etatexent shall be made putyic giving idh facte and explanations regarding 10 dispute, terms of settlement lereof, as the council may deem ap* ropriate. If the dispute is aot thus settled, >e council either unanimously or by majority vote shall make and pul> Ah a report containing a statement f the facts of the dispute aad the ^commendations which are deemed ist and proper in regard thereto. Any member of/the league represented on the council may make pubc a statement of the facts of the ispute and of its conclusions regardlg the same. If a report by the council hi unanilously agreed to by the members lereof other than the representatives t one or more of the parties to the iepute, the members of the league gree that they wall not go to war I rith any party to the dispute which! implies with the recommendations of le report , If the council fails to reach a reort which is unanimously agreed to y the members thereof,' other than le representatives of one or more f the parties to the dispute, the lembers of the league reserve to iemnelves the. right to take such acion as they shall consider necessary >r the maintenace of right and jusIce. If the dispute between the parties i claimed by one of them, and is rand by the council, to arise out of matter which by international law i solely within the domestic jurisdicon of the party, the council shall so. sport, and shall make no recommenations as to its settlement The council may in any case under lis article refer the' dispute to th* Bsembly. The dispute shall be so resrred at the request of either party 3 the dispute, provided that such reuest be made within 14 days after iie submission of the dispute to the ouncil. In any case referred to the areemly all the provisions of this article nd of article 12 relating xto the action nd powers of the council shall apply 5 the action and powers of the as? embly, provided that a report^fnade y the assembly, if concurred in by iie representatives of thoise mehibers f the league represented on the coun11 and of a majority of the other lembers of the league, exclusive In ach case of the representatives of tie parties to the dispute, shall have he same force as a report by the ouncH concurred In by all the memers thereof'Other than the represenn+ftroa nf Ana ni? mnrfi nf thA H3.rt.iM 9 the dispute. (The paragraph specifically excludmatters of "domestic jurisdicIon" from action- by the council is ew. In the last sentence, the words if concurred in by the ^epresentaIres of those members of the league epresented on the council," etc., have een added). Article Sixteen. Should any member of the league esort to war In disregard of its coreants under articles 12, 13 or 15, it hall Ipso facto be deeemd to have ommitted an act of war against all ther members of the league, which hereby undertake immediately to ubject it to the severance of all trade r financial relations, the prohibition f all intercourse between their naIons and the nationals of the covennt-breaking state and the prevention f all financial, commercial or peronal intercourse between the naions of the covenant breaking state nd the nations of any other state, whether a member of the league or ot. It shall be the duty of the council n such cases to recommend to the everal governments concerned what ffective military or naval forces the ? - - xi-. % -V..U lemoers 01 me league aua.ii acraauj ontribute to the armaments of forces o be used to protect the covenants of he league. The members of the league agree, urther, that they will mutually siipiort one another in the financial and conomic measures which are taken nder this article, in order to miniaize the loss and inconvenience renlting from the above measures, and hat they will mutually support one nother in resisting any special m?a> res aimed at one of their number by he covenant' breaking state, and that hey will take the necessary steps to fford passage through their territory o the forces of any of the members M 11? *-?-? ?VIAV* Q?*A nA-Atvoro fine II I Lie lCtlJ UD TTUJULi ais o protect the covenants of the sague. Any member of the league which lolated any covenant of the league nay be decided to be no longer a nember of the league by a rote fo the ouncil concurred In by the represenatives of all the other members of he league represented thereon. (Unchanged except for the addition rf the last sentence ) Article Seventeen. In the event of a dispute between , member of the league Snd a "State rhich if not a member of the league ft between states not members of ike ague, the state or statea not b>? ieri of the league shall be invite* te / ? 1 , 1 . " , i i i? accept the obligations of membership : in the league for the purpose^ of tfnch . dispute, upon such conditions as the < council may deem just. If ?uch invi- 1 feation is accepted, the provisions of 1 articles 12 to 16 inclusive shall be ap- ' plied with such modifications as inay 1 be deemed necessary by the council. 1 Upon such invitation being given, the council shall Immediately institute i an inquiry into the circumstances of i the dispute And recommend such action as may seem best and most of- ] tectual in the circumstances. . < li a QMU3 OU lUTHOU OUAIi k Oiuoo VV accept the obligations of membership in the league for the purpose of such dispute, and shall resort i 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 of membership in the league for the purposes of such dispute, the council may take such measures and make such recommendations as will prevent hostilities and will result in the settlement of the dispute. (Virtually unchanged.) / < Article Eighteen. Every convention or international engagement entered into henceforward by any member of the league y shall be forthwith registered with the secretariat and shall as soon as against the state taking such acsuch treaty or international engagement shall be binding until so registered. (Same as original Article 23. ) ... Article Nineteen. The . assembly may from time to time advise the reconsideration by members of the league of treaties which have become inapplicable and the consideration of international conditions whose continuance might endanger (ne peace of the world. (Virtually the same u original Article 24.) Article Twenty. The members of the league sere rally agree that this covenant Is accepted as abrogating all obligations . or understandings inter se which are inconsistent with the terms thereof, and: solemnly undertake that they will not hereafter enter into any agreements Inconsistent with the terms thereof. in case members of the league shall, before becoming members of the league have undertaken any oblige tions inconsistent with the terms of the covenant, it shall be the duty of each member to take Immediate steps to procure its ' release from such obligations. - ^ . (Virtually the same as original Article 26.) . Article Twenty-one. Nothing in this covenant shall be deemed to affect the validity of inter-' national engagements such as treaties of arbitrations or regional understandings like the Monroe doctrine for securing the maintenance of . peace. (Entirely new.) Article Twenty-two. , 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 tViam anil vhfph sra InViaH. ited by peoples not yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous conditions ef the modern world, there should be applied the principle that the wellbeing and well development of such peoples formed a sacred trust of civilization and that securities for the performance of this trust should be embodied in thl# covenant Th4 beet method ef giving practicable effect to this principle is that the tutelage of such peoples be entrusted to advanced nations who, by reasons of their resources, their experience or their geographical position, t can best undertake responsibility, and which are willing to accept it and that this tutelage should be exercised bv them as mandatories on be half of the league.The character of the mandate-must differ according to the stage of the development of the people, the gec> graphical situation of the territory, its economic condition and any other similar circumstances. . ^ Certain communities formerly belonging to the Turkish empire have reached a stage of development where their existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognized subject to the rendering of administrative advice and assistance by a mandatory until such time as they are able to stand alone. The wishes of thesfe communities must be a principal consideration in the selection of the mandatory. Other peoples, especially those of Central Africa, are at such a stage tnat tne mandatory must ue responsible for the administration of the territory under conditions which will guarantee freedom and conscience or religion subject only to the maintenance of public order and morals, the prohibition of abuses, such as ' the slave trade, the arms traffic and the] liquor trafric and the prevention of the establishment of fortifications or military and naval bases and military training of the nation* for other than policy purposes and the defease 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 Africa, and certain of the South Pacific Islands, which, owing to the Bparsemees of their population or their small size or their remoteness from the centers ef civilisation or their geographical contiguity to the territory oi. the mandatory and other eireuiastaaces, can be best administered under 11m lavs ef the mandatory as Integral portions of its territory sub* ject to the safeguards above mention- . ? , v sd In the interests of the Indigenous population. In every case of mandate the mandatory shall ? render to the :ouncil an annual report in reference to the territory committed ttf its charge. The degree of authority, control or administration to be exercised by the mandatory shall, if not previously KMM.J ..... V. 4k. ? k.w tb. tH^icou uyuu uj uxc mcrnuci o ui uiv league, be explicitly defined In each . v case by the council. * . v , . ' y > A permanent commission shall be constituted to receive and examine the annual reports of the mandatories v v! and to adVise the coimcil on all mat- - ' . , ters relating to the observance of the ^ mandates. (This is the original Article 19, virtually unchanged except for the insertion of the words "and which aw willing to accept" in describing nations to be given mandatories.) Article Twenty-three. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of international con- V % ventions existing or hereafter to be agreed uponpthe members of the league (a) will endeavor to secure and maintain fair and humane condi- . ' tions of labor for men, women and children, both in their own countries ! '. * and in all countries to wh^ch their commercial and industrial delations , ' i extend, and for that purport will es- -j tablish and maintain the necessary In- ' ; ternational organizations; (b) undertake. to secure Just treatment qf th6v / native inhabitants of territories un- ; : de^ their'control; (c) will entrust the ' t league with the general supervision over the execution of agreements with regard to the traffic In women and children, and the traffic In opium and other dangerous drugs; (d) will entrust the league with the general supervision of the trade In arms and ammunition with the countries fa which the control of this? traffic is . > necessary In the cnnmon interests; (e) will make provision to secure Jmd , maintain freedom of commaiilcation and of transit and ofequitabteireatment for the commerce of all members of the league. In this connec- I tlon, ^special, necessities of. the regions devastated during the war of 1914-1918 shall be In mind; (f) will Endeavor to' take steps la matters at f international; concern^ for the prevention and ctatrol of disease. (This replaces the original article > 20 and embodied parts of the original v Articles 18 ahd 21. - It elimtaatee > a specific provision formerly made fpr > a bureau of labor and adds the clauses (b) and (b)% v . V . Article Twenty-four.) There shall be placed'under the dl- ... - ' recti on of the league'all international bureaus already established by gen- : 1 oral treaties if the parties to such ' treaties consent All such International bureaus and all commission? for the regulation of masters of International interest hereafter constltnt- -/'-C ed shall be placed under the direction V i of the league. In all matters of International Interest which.are regulated by general , . *? conventions, but which are'not placed 3 under the control of International burpRim nr rnmmiflsinas. thft secretariat - - of the league shall, subject to the 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 or desirable. ^ ;; The council may include as part of the expenses of the secretariat the expenses of any bureafi or commis- || sion which is p^ced tinder the direction df the leasrue. (Same as article 22 in the original, V * '.;4| ?14V ??? fvn WUU UIO IMakWl MWt w?v v sentences added). Artle(# Twenty-flvt. The members of the league agree to encourage and promote the establishment and co-operation of duly i authorized national Red Cross societies haying as purposes improvement of health, the prevention of diseases and the mitigation of suffering through* put the world. (Entirely new.) Article Twenty-?lx. ^ Amendments to this covenant will effect when ratified by members * of the league, whose representatiyes compose the council and by a majority of the nembers of the league '/ ^ whose representatives compose; the assembly. i n y ' . -||j Such amendment shall (the word not apparently omitted in cable transmission) bind any member of the > league which signifies its dissent ' therefrom, but in that case it shall cease to be a member of the league. (Same as the original except that a majority of the league instead of three-fourths is required for ratification of amendments, with the last sentence added.) ' ' Annex to the Covenant One?Original members of the league of nations. - r Signatories of the treaty of peace: , / United States of America, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, British Empire, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New South Wales, India, China, Cuba, Caecho-Slovakia, Ecuador, Prance, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hedjaf, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Serbia, Siam, Uruguay. States invited to accede to the covenant: Argentine Republic, Chile, Colum * ?V/%>i Hff Dia, jjenmar&, neuicnauut, hvm Paraguay, Persia, Salrador, Spain, ^ Sweden, Switzerland, Venezuela. f' Two?First secretary general of the leagua of nations (blank). (The annex was not published with the original draft of the covenant) . / - :s * ' . I