The Clinton chronicle. (Clinton, S.C.) 1901-current, May 01, 1919, Image 7
T
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REVISED GOVENAIII Of LEAGUE OF
NATIONS NOW BEFORE WINCE
< 'ft . ■' <2. .
Document Designed to Promote International Co-Operation,
and to Achieve International Peace and Security With-
out Resort to War.
ifc -fM CLWR
The High Contracting Parties Agree in This Covenant to Main
tain a Scrupulous Respect for All Treaty Obligations
in All Their Dealings With One Another.
Washington.—The state department
made public the text of the revised
covenant of the league of nations, as
it was presented to the plenary ses
sion of the peace conference at Paris.
The text follows, with parenthetical
insertions showing changes made in
the covenant as originally drafted and
ma^e. public:
Covenant of the League of Nations.
In order to pfomote international
co-operation and ' to achieve interna
tional, peac^ and security, by the ac-
ceptapce. of -obligations not to resort
to war, by. the.'prescription . of open,
just, and honorable relations between
nations, by the firm establishment of
the understandings “of "international
law as to actual rule of conduct among
governments, and by the maintenance
of justice lind a scrupulous respect for
all treaty obligaiiohs in the dealings
of organized'peoples with one another,
the high contracting parties agree to
this covenant of the,league of nations.
—(In the
sentence reads, "adopt this constitu
tion," instead 'of "agree to this cove
nant.")--- - * \ 1
„ - - ‘ Article One.
.-•The original members of the league
of nations shall be those of the sig
natories which aro named in the an
nex to this covenant and also such of
those other states named in the an
nex as shall accede without reserva
tion to this covenant. Such accession
shall be effected by a declaration de
posited with the secretariat within
two months of the coming into force
of the covenant. Notice thereof shall
l>e sent to alf other members of the
league.
Any fully self-governing state, do
minion or colony not named in the an
nex may become a member of the
league of nations if its admission is
agreed to by two-thirds of the assem
bly, provided that it shall give effec
tive guarantees of Its sincere inten
tion to observe its international obli
gations, and shall accept such regula
tions as may be prescribed by the
league in regard to its military and
naval forces and armaments.
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 obli
gations and all its obligations under
this covenant shall have been fulfilled
at the time of its withdrawal.
(This article is new, embodying
with alterations and additions the old
article seven. It provides more spe
cifically the method of admitting new
members and adds the entirely new
paragraph providing for withdrawal
from the league. No mention of with
drawal was -made in the original docu
ment.) *
Article Two.
The action of the league under this
covenant, shall be effected -^through
the instrumentality of an assembly
and of a council, • with a permanent
secretariat.
-(Originally this was a pert of ar
ticle one. It gives the name assem
bly to the gathering of representa
tives of the members of the league,
formerly referred to merely as "the
body of delegates.”)
Article Three.
The assembly shall consist of rep
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
the league, or at such other place as
may be decided upon.
The assembly may deal at its meet
ings with any matter within the
sphere of action of the league or af
fecting the peace of the world.
At meetings of the assembly, each
member of the league shall have one
rote, and may hare not more t^an
three representatlres.
(This efhbodies parts of the orig
inal article one, two and three with
only minor changes. It refers to
"members of the league” where the
term "high cofitracttag parties" orlg-
ftnVv was used, and this change Is
foli^ed throughout the revised draft.)
Article Four.
' The council nhall consist of repre
sentatives of tlte United States of
America, of the British empire, of
Trance, of Italy and of Japan,-together
With representatives of four other
members of the league. These four
members of the league shall be select
ed by the assembly from time to time
in its discretion. Until the appoint
ment of the representatives of the
four members of the le-agne first se
lected by the assembly, representa
tives of (blank) shall ba members of
;«be council. .
i With approval of the majority of
Ike assembly, the council may name
additional riembera of, the, league
^whose representatives shall always be
!members of the council; the council
of war is open to grave,, objections.
The council shall advise how the evil
effects attendant upon such manufac
ture can be prevented, due regard be
ing had to the necessities of those
which are not able to manufacture
the munitions and implements of war
necessary for their safety.
The, members of the league under-
Uko to Interchange full and frank In*
the council. Any party to the dis
pute may effect such submission by
giving notice of the existence of the
dispute to the secertary general, who
will make all necessary arrangements
tor a full investigation and considera
tion thereof. For this purpose the
After these plans shall have beau-
adopted by the several governments,
limits of armaments therein fixed
shall not be exceeded without 'the
concurrence of the council.
The-members of the league agree
that the manufacture by private en-
terprise of munitions and implamant* paHtee- ♦'V dtetw**-wttl pommiiul-
cate to the secretary general as
promptly as possible, statments of
their case, all the relevant facts and
purposes. The council may forth
with direct the publication thereof.
The council shall endeavor to ef
fect a settlement of any dispute, and
if suefi efforts are successful, a etate-
naent shall be made public giving
number of members of the league to
be selected by the assembly for rep
resentation on the council.
The council shall meet from time
to time as occasion may requite 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 meet
ings with any matter within the
sphere of action of the league or af
fecting the peace of the world.
Any member of the league not rep
resented on the council shall be in
vited to send a representative to sit
as a member at any meeting of the
council during the consideration of
matters specifically affecting the in
terests of that member of the league.
At meetings of the cquncil, each
member of the league represented on
the council shall have one vote, and
may have not more than one repres
entative.
(This embodies that part of the
; j original article three“ff§srgnatihg~ _ fhe
original members of the council. The
paragraph providing for increase in
the membership of the council is new.)
Article Five.
Except where otherwise expressly
provided in this covenant, decisions
at any meeting of the assembly or of
the council shall require the agree
ment of all the members of the league
represented at the meeting.
- All matters of procedure at meet
ings of the assembly or of the council,
the appointment of committees to in
vestigate particular matters shall be
regulated by the assembly or by the
council and njay be decided by a ma
jority of the members of the league
represented at the meeting.
The first meeting of the assembly
and the first meeting at the council
shall be summoned by the President
of the United States of America.
(The first paragraph requiring un
animous agreement in both assembly
and council except where otherwise,
provided is new. The other two para
graphs originally were included la
article four.)
Article Six.
The permanent secretariat shall be
established at the seat of the league’.
The secretariat shall comprise a sec
retariat general and such secretaries
and staff as may be required.
* The, first secretary* general shall be
the person named in the annex; there
after the secretary general shall be
appointed by the council with the ap
proval of the majority of the assembly.
The secretaries and the staff of the
secretariat shall be appointed by the
secretary general with the approval
of the council.
The secretary general shall act In
that capacity at all meetings of the as
sembly and of the council. ,
The expenses of the secretariat shall
be borne by the members of the league
in accordance with the apportion
ment of the expenses of the interna
tional bureau of universal postal
union.
(This replaces the original article
five. In the original the appointment
of the first secretary general was left
to the council, and approval of the
majority of the assembly was not re
quired for subsequent appointments.)
f Article Seven.
The seat of the league Is establish
ed at Geneva.
The council may at any time decide
that the seat of the league shall be
established elsewhere.
All positions under or in connection
with the league, including the secre
tariat, shall be open equally to men
and women.
Representatives of the members of
the league and officials of the league
when engaged on the business of the.
league shall' enjoy diplomatic privi
leges and Immunities.
The building and otker pronerty oc
cupied by the league or Its officials or
by representatives attending its meet
ings shall be inviolable.
(Embodying parts of the old ar
ticles five and six, this srticle names
Geneva instead of leaving the seat of
the league to be chosen later, and
adds the provision for changing the
seat in the future. The paragraph
opening position to (women equally
with men Is new). , ’ ,
Article Eight
The members of the league recog
nise that the maintenance of a peace
requires the reduction of national
armament to the lowest point consist
ent with national safety and the en
forcement bv common action of inter
national obligation.
The council, taking account of the
geographical 'situation and circum
stances of each state, shall formulate
plans for such reduction for the conr
sideration and action of the several
governments. -, . -»
Such pVans shall he suhpect he m
consideration and wialon
formation as to the scale of their
armaments, their military and naral
programs and the condition of such
of their industries as are adaptable to
warlike purposes.
(This covers the ground of the
original article eight, but is rewrit
ten to make it clearer that armament
reduction plans must be adopted by
the nations affected before they be
come effective).
Article Nine.
A permanent commission shaH he
constituted to advise the council on
the expectation of the provisions of
srticles one and eight and on military
xnd naval questions generally.
(Unchanged except for the inser
tion of the words "article one").
Article Ten. ^x
The members of the league under
take to respect and preserve as
against external aggression the ter
ritorial integrity and existing political
independence of all members of the
league. In case of any such aggres
sion, or in case of any threat or dan
ger of such aggression, tl*: council
ihall advise upon the means by which
Ibis obligation shall be fulfilled.
(Virtually unchanged).
* Article Eleven.
Any war or threat of war, whether
mmediately affecting any.
members of the league' or not, is
lereby declared a matter of concern.
mifii facta and e n»m n m ion u rogxrtmqr
accept the obligations of membership
in the league for the purposes of such
dispute, upon such cohditions as the
council may deem just. If such invi
tation is accepted, >he provisiohs of
articles 12 to 16 inclusive shall be ap
plied witlwsuch modifications as may
-be- doomed -necessary by the, council
Upon such invitation being given,
the council shall immediately institute
id inquiry) into the circumstances of
the dispute and recommend such ac
tion as may seem best and most ef-
iectual in the circmnstances. *
If a state so invitdd shall refuse to
accept thfc obligations of member
ship, in * the league for the pur-
integral portions of its* territory sub
ject to the safeguards above mention
ed in the Interests of the indigenous
population. In every case of mandate
the mandatory shall render to the
council an annual report in reference
to the territory committed to its
f.harge -
the dispute, terms of settlement
thereof, as the council may deem ap
propriate.
If the dispute Is not thus settled,
the council either unanftnously or by
i majority vote shall make and pub-
ish a report containing a statement
of the facts of the dispute and the
recommendations which are deemed
Just and proper in regard thereto.
Any mrtnber of the league repre
sented on the council may make pub
lic a statement of the facts of the
dispute and of its conclusions regard
ing the sapie.
If a report by the council is unani
mously agreed to by the members
thereof other than the representatives
of one or more of the parties to the
dispute, the members of the league
agree that they will not go to war
with any party to the dispute which
complies with the recommendations of
the report.
If the council fails to reach a re
port which is unahimously agreed to
by the members thereof, other than
the representatives- of o(j.e or more
pf the parties to the (ftspute, the
members of the league reserve to
themselves the right,to'take such ac
tion as they shall consider necessary
'or the maintenace of right and Jus-
to the whole league, and the league
diall take any action that may be
deemed wise and effectual to sate-
piard the peace of nation*. In case
any such emergencies should arise,
‘.he secretary general shall oh the re-
-equest of any member of the league,
'orthwith summon a meeting of the
jouncll.
It is also declared to Jbe the funda
mental right of each member of the
league to'bring to the attention of the
assembly or of the-council'any cir
cumstances whatever .affecting inter
national relations which threatens, to
disturb either, the peace or the good
understanding between nations upon
which peace depends.
(In the original it was provided
that the "high contracting parties re
serve the right to take any action,”
etc., where the revised draft reads
"the league shall tak,e any action.**
etc.) » » •
^ Article.Twelve.
' * 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 by
the council, and they agree in no case
to resort to war until three months
after the award by the arbitrators or
the report cf the council.
In any case under thie article the
award of the arbitrators shaH -be
made with in a reasonable time, and
the report of the council shall be
made within a reasonable time, and
submission of the dispute.
(Virtually unchanged except that
some provisions of the original are
eliminated for inclusion in othfer ar
ticles).
Article Thirteen.
The members of the league agree
that whnever any dispute shall aris«
between them which they recognize
to be suitable for submission to arbi
tration and which cannot .he satisfac
If the dispute between the parties
is. claimed by*one of them, and is
tound by the council, to arise out ot
a matter which by international law
is solely within the domestic jurisdic
tion of the party, the coupcil shall so
report, and shall make no recommen-
lations as to its settlement.
« The council may in any case under
this article refer the dispute to the
assembly. The dispute shall be so re
ferred at the request of either party
to the dispute, provided that such re
quest made within 14 days after
the submission of the dispute to the
council. . ■'
In any case referred to the assem
bly all the provisions of .this article
and of article 12 relating to the action
and powers of the council shall app^v
to the action and powers of the as
sembly, provided that a report made
by the assembly, if concurred in by
the representatives of those members
of the league represented on the coun
cil and of a majority of the other
members of the league, exclusive in
each case of the representatives of
the. parties to the dispute, shall have
the same force as a report by the
council concurred in by all the mepi-
bers thereof other than the represen
tatives of one or more of the parties
to the dispute.
(The paragraph specifically exclud
ing matters of “domestic Jurisdic
tion” from action by the council ,is
new. In the last sentence, the words
“If concurred In by the representa
tives of those members of the league
represented on the council," etc., have
been added).
Article Sixteen.
Should any member of the league
resort to war in disregard of its cove
nants under articles 12, 13 or 15, it
shall ipso facto be deeemd to have
committed an act of war against all
other members of the league, which
thereby undertake immediately to
subject it to the severance of all trade
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 obliga
tions 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 conventibh or international
engagement entered info hencefor
ward by any member of the league
shall be forthwith registered with the
secretariat and shall as soon as
against the state taking such ac-
such treaty or international engage
ment shall be binding until so regis
tered.
(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 con
ditions whose continuance might en
danger the peace of the world.
(Virtually the same.as origlnal-Ax--
ticle 24.)„
5 Article Twenty.
The members of the league several
ly agree that this covenant is accept
ed as abrogating all obligations or
understandings inter se which are in
consistent with the terms thereof, and
solemnly undertake that they will not
hereafter enter into $ny agreements
inconsisteynt with the terms thereof.
In efue members of the league shall,
before becoming members of the
league have undertaken any obliga-
The degree of authority, control or
administration to be exercised by the
mandatory shall, if not previously
agreed upon by the members of the
league, be explicitly defined in each
case by this council.
A permanent commission shall be
constituted to receive and examine
the annual reports of the mandatories
ters relating to the observance of the
mandates.
(This Is the original Article 19. vir
tually unchanged except for the in
sertion of the words "and which are
willing to accept” in describing na
tions to be given mandatories.)
Article Twenty-three.
Subject to and ft accordance with
the provisions of international con-
veiitions existing or hereafter to be
agreed upon the 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 which their '
commercial and industrial relations
extend, and for that purpose will es
tablish and maintain the necessary in
ternational organizations; (b) under
take to secure just treatment of the
native inhabitants of territories un
der their control; (c) will entrust the
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 in
-which the control of-thbr trafflc frp
necessary in the common interests;
(e) will make provision to secure and
maintain freedom of communication
and of transit and of equitable treat
ment for the commerce of all mem
bers of the league. In this connec
tion. especial necessities of the re
gions devastated during the war of
1914-1918 shall be in mind; (f) will
endeavor to take steps in matters of
international concern for thd prtvMi-
tlon and control of disease.
(This replaces the original article
tions inconsistent with the terms of I 20-and embodies parts of the original
the covenant, it shall be the duty of t Articles 18 and 21. It eliminates a
each member to take immediate steps
to procure its release from such
obligations.
(Virtually the* same as original Ar
ticle 25.)
Article Twenty-one. <
Nothing in this covenant shall be
deemed to affect the validity of inter
national engagements such as treat
ies of arbitrations or regional under
standings like the Monroe doctrine
for securing the maintenance of
peace.
(Entirely new.)
Article Twenty-two.
Te those colonies and territories
which as a consequence of the late
war have ceased to be under the sov
ereignty of the states which formerly
governed them and which are inhab
ited by peoples not yet able to stand
by themselves- under the strenuous
conditions of the modern world, there
should be applied the principle that
the wellbeing and well devefopment
of such peoples formed a sacred trust
of civilization and that securities for
the* performance of this trust should
be embodied in this covenant.
The best method of giving practi
cable effect to this principle is that
the tutelage of such peoples be en
trusted to advanced nations who, by
reasons of their resources, their ex
perience or their geographical posi
tion, can best undertake responsibil-
torily- settled *by d tplomae y, -they will - -- >r ~ financial - relations, pro iuh i tion
with like approval may tacreaae tha
every 10 yeare.
\
submit the whole subject matter to
arbitration. Disputes as to the inter
pretation of a treaty, as to any ques
tion of international law, as to the
existence of any fact which i« estab
lished would constitute a breach of
aay international obligation, or as to
the extent and nature of the repant-
tion to be made for any such breach,
the declared to be among those which
are generally suitable for submission
to arbitration. For the consideration
of any euch dispute the court of ♦rbi-
tration to which the case is referred
shall be the court agreed on by the
psutto* to the dispute or stipulated in
aay convention existing between them.
The members of the league agree
that they will carry out in full good
faith any award that may be rendered
and that they will not resort to war
against a membek 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 he taken to give eCect
< thereto, .v
(Only minor changes In language.)
Article Fourteen.
. The council shall formulate and
submit to the members of the league
•or adoption plans for the. estab-
ttsferment of a permanent court of inter-
nsktional Justice. The court shall be
competent to hear and determine any
dispute of an international character
•which the parties thereto submit to
It. The court may also give an ad-
vieory opinion upon any dispute or
question referred to it by the council
or by the assembly.
(UnchauKed except for cl.e addition
tt the last sentence.)
Article Fifteen.
If there should arise between
member^ of, the league aay dispute
Mkely to lead to a rupture, which is
net stArijtted to arbitration am above,
the members cf the league
that they will submit the matter to
of all intercourse between their na
tions and the nationals of the coven
ant-breaking state and the prevention
of all financial, commercial or per
sonal intercourse between the na
tions of the covenant breaking state
and the nations of any other state,
whether a member of the league or
not.
It shall be the duty of the council
in such cases to recommend to the
several ^governments concerned what
effective military or naval forces the
members of the league shall severally
contribute to the armaments of forces
to be used to protect the covenants of
the league.
The members of the league agroe,
further, that they will mutually sup
port one another in the financial and
economic measures which are taken
under this article, in order to mini
mize the loss and inconvenience re
sulting from the above measures, and
that they will mutually support ^one
another in resisting any special 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
the league wbich are co-operating
to protect the covenants of the
league.
Anv member of the league which
violated any covenant of the league
may be decided to be no longer a
member of the league by a vote fo the
council concurred in by the represen
tatives of all the other members of
the league represented thereon.
(Unchanged except for the addition
of the last sentence.)
Article Seventeen.
In the event of a dispute between
H, member of the league and a state
which is not a member of the league
or between state* not members of the
»«Murue, the state or states not mem
hers of the league shall he Invited :•
< ** ;> . J ^ '
specific provision formerly made for
.a bureau of labor and adds the clauses
(b) and (c). , -
Article Twenty-four.)
There shall be placed under the di
rection of the league all international
bureaus already established . by gen
eral treaties if the parties to such
treaties consent. All such interna
tional bureaus and all commissions
for the regulation of matters of inter
national Interest hereafter constitut
ed shall be placed under the direction
of the league.
In all matters of international in
terest which are regulated by general
conventions, but ^hich are not placed
under the control of international bu
reaus or commissions, the 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 secretarial the
expenses of any bureau or commis
sion which is placed under the direc
tion of the league. ,
(Same as article -22 in the original,
with the matter after the first two
sentences added)., i
Article Twenty-five.
The members of the league agree
to encourage and promote the estab-
ityrand-whiclrare willing to accept Itr ijiUmehOimr cWperatioh' M^duly au-
and that this tutelage should be ex
ercised by 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 geo
graphical. situation of the territory,
its economic condition and any other
similar circumstances. ^
Certain communities formerly be
longing to the Turkish empire have
reached a stage of development where
their existence as independent nations
can be provisionally recognized sub
ject to the rendering of administra
tive advice and assistance by a man
datory until such time as they are
able to stand alone. The wishes of
these communities must be a princi
pal consideration in the selection of
the mandatory.
Other peoples, especially those of
Central Africa, are at such a stage
that the mandatory must be responsi
ble for the administration of the ter
ritory upder conditions which '.Till
guarantee freedom and conscience or
religion subject only to the mainte
nance of public order and morals, the
prohibition of abuses, such as the
slave trade, the arms traffic and the
liquor traffic and the prevention of
the establishment of fortifications or
military and naval bases and military
fraining of the nations for dther^than
policy purposes and the defense, of
territory and will j.Jso secure equal
opportunities for the trade and com
merce of other, members of the'
league.
There are territories, anch as 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 contiguity to the terri
tory oi ♦ue raphthrtofy and Wther cir
cumstances, can be best administered
under the laws of the mandatory as
thorized national Red Cross societies
having as purposes improvement of
health, the prevention of diseases and
the mitigation of suffering through
out the world.
(Entirely new.)
Article Twenty-six.
Amendments to this covenant will
.take effect when ratified by members
of the league, whose representatives
compose the council and by a major-
itv of the members of the league
whose representatives compose the
assembly.
Such amendment shall (the word
not apparently omitted in cable trans
mission) 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 ratifica
tion of amendments, with the list sen
tence added )
Annex to the Covenant
One—Original members of the
league of nations.
Signatories of the treaty of peace:
United States of America, Belgium.
Bolivia, Brazil, British Empire. Can
ada. Australia, South Africa. New
South Wales, Indla.iChina, Cuba, Cze^
eho-Slovakia. Ecuador, France,
Greece, Guatemala. Haiti. Hedjaz,
Honduras, Italy, Japan, Liberia. Nica
ragua. Panama. Peru, Poland, Portu
gal, Rumania, Serbia, Siam, Uruguay.
States invited to accede to the cov--
„enant:
0 \
Argentine Republic, Chile. Colum
bia* Denmark, Netherlands. Norway,
Paraguay, Persia, Salvador, Spain.
Sweden, Switzerland, Venezuela.
Two—First secretary general of
the leagre of nations (blank);
(The annex was not published with
die original draft ^>f the covenant)
\