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Covenant
of the League of Nations
1924
THE
HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES,
In
order to promote international co-operation and to achieve
international peace and security
by
the acceptance 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 the actual rule of conduct
among Governments, and
by
the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous
respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings
of organized peoples with one another,
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Agree
to this Covenant of the League of Nations.
ARTICLE
1.
The
original Members of the League of Nations shall 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 to this Covenant.
Such accession shall be effected by a Declaration deposited
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.
Any
fully self-governing State, Dominion or Colony not named in
the Annex may become a Member of the League if its admission
is agreed to by two-thirds of the Assembly, provided that it
shall give effective guarantees of its sincere intention to
observe its international obligations, and shall accept such
regulations as may be prescribed by the League in regard to
its military, naval and air 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 obligations and all its obligations
under this Covenant shall have been fulfilled at the time of
its withdrawal.
ARTICLE
2.
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.
ARTICLE
3.
The
Assembly shall consist of Representatives 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 meetings with any matter within the
sphere of action of the League or affecting the peace of the
world. At meetings of the Assembly each Member of the League
shall have one vote, and may have not more than three
Representatives.
ARTICLE
4.
The
Council shall consist of Representatives 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 by the Assembly from time to
time in its discretion. Until the appointment of the
Representatives of the four Members of the League first
selected by the Assembly, Representatives of Belgium,
Brazil, Spain and Greece shall be members of the Council.
With
the approval of the majority of the Assembly, the Council
may name additional Members of the League whose
Representatives shall always be members of the Council; the
Council, with like approval 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 on the Council shall be
invited to send a Representative to sit as a member at any
meeting of the Council 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.
ARTICLE
5.
Except
where otherwise expressly provided in this Covenant or by
the terms of the present Treaty, decisions at any meeting of
the Assembly or of the Council shall require the agreement
of all the Members of the League represented at the meeting.
All
matters of procedure at meetings of the Assembly or of the
Council, including 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
of the Members of the League represented at the meeting.
The
first meeting of the Assembly and the first meeting of the
Council shall be summoned by the President of the United
States of America.
ARTICLE
6.
The
permanent Secretariat shall be established at the Seat of
the League. The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary
General and such secretaries and staff as may be required.
The
first Secretary General shall be the person named in the
Annex; thereafter the Secretary General shall be appointed
by the Council with the approval of the majority of the
Assembly.
The
secretaries and 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 Assembly and of the Council.
The
expenses of the League shall be borne by the Members of the
League in the proportion decided by the Assembly.
ARTICLE
7.
The
Seat of the League is established 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 Secretariat, 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 privileges and immunities.
The
buildings and other property occupied by the League or its
officials or by Representatives attending its meetings shall
be inviolable.
ARTICLE
8.
The
Members of the League recognize that the maintenance of
peace requires the reduction of national armaments to the
lowest point consistent with national safety and the
enforcement by common action of international obligations.
The
Council, taking account of the geographical situation and
circumstances of each State, shall formulate plans for such
reduction for the consideration and action of the several
Governments. Such plans shall be subject to reconsideration
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 of the Council.
The
Members of the League agree that the manufacture by private
enterprise of munitions and implements of war is open to
grave objections. The Council shall advise how the evil
effects 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 the munitions
and implements of war necessary for their safety.
The
Members of the League undertake to interchange full and
frank information as to the scale of their armaments, their
military, naval and air programmes and the condition of such
of their industries as are adaptable to war-like purposes.
ARTICLE
9.
A
permanent Commission shall be constituted to advise the
Council on the execution of the provisions of Articles 1 and
8 and on military, naval and air questions generally.
ARTICLE
10.
The
Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as
against external aggression the territorial integrity and
existing political independence of all Members of the
League. In case of any such aggression 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 to the whole League, and the League shall
take any action that may be deemed wise and effectual to
safeguard 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 which threatens to disturb
international peace or the good understanding 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 judicial
settlement 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 judicial decision, or the report
by the Council. In any case under this Article the award of
the arbitrators or the judicial decision shall be made
within a reasonable time, and the report of the Council
shall be made within six months after the submission of the
dispute.
ARTICLE
13.
The
Members of the League agree that whenever any dispute shall
arise between them which they recognize to be suitable for
submission to arbitration or judicial settlement and which
cannot be satisfactorily settled by diplomacy, they will
submit the whole subject-matter to arbitration or judicial
settlement.
Disputes
as to the interpretation of a treaty, as to any question of
international law, as to the existence of any fact which if
established would constitute a breach of any international
obligation, or as to the extent and nature of the reparation
to be made for any such breach, are declared to be among
those which are generally suitable for submission to
arbitration or judicial settlement.
For
the consideration of any such dispute, the court to which
the case is referred shall be the Permanent Court of
International Justice, established in accordance with
Article 14, or any tribunal agreed on by the parties to the
dispute or stipulated in any convention existing between
them.
The
Members of the League agree that they will carry out in full
good faith any award or decision 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 or decision, the Council shall
propose what steps should be taken to give effect thereto.
ARTICLE
14.
The
Council shall formulate and submit to the Members of the
League for adoption plans for the establishment of a
Permanent Court of International 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 advisory opinion upon any
dispute or question referred to it by the Council 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 or judicial settlement in accordance with
Article 13, the Members 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
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 General, as promptly as possible, statements
of their case with all the relevant facts and papers, and
the Council may forthwith direct the publication 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 thereof as
the Council may deem appropriate.
If
the dispute is not thus settled, the Council either
unanimously or by a majority vote shall make and publish a
report containing a statement of the facts of the dispute
and the recommendations which are deemed just and proper in
regard thereto.
Any
Member of the League represented 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 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 report which is unanimously
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 reserve to themselves the
right to take such action as they shall consider necessary
for the maintenance of right and justice.
If
the dispute between the parties is 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 domestic
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 this Article refer the dispute
to the Assembly. The dispute shall be so referred at the
request of either party to the dispute, provided that such
request be made within fourteen days after the submission 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, provided that a report made by the
Assembly, if concurred in by the 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 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 of one or more of the parties to the
dispute.
ARTICLE
16.
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 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 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 of the League shall
severally contribute 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 one another in the financial and economic
measures which are taken under this Article, in order to
minimize the loss and inconvenience resulting from the above
measures, and that they will mutually support one another in
resisting any special measures 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 of all the other Members of the League
represented thereon.
ARTICLE
17.
In
the event of a dispute between a Member of the League and a
State which is not a Member of the 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 in the League for the purposes of such dispute,
upon such conditions as the Council may deem just. If such
invitation is accepted, the provisions of Articles 12 to 16
inclusive shall be applied 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 purposes 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 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.
ARTICLE
18.
Every
treaty or international engagement entered into hereafter by
any Member of the League shall be forthwith registered with
the Secretariat and shall as soon as possible be published
by it. No such treaty or international engagement shall be
binding until so registered.
ARTICLE
19.
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 the peace of the
world.
ARTICLE
20.
The
Members of the League severally 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 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
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.
ARTICLE
21.
Nothing
in this Covenant shall be deemed to affect the validity of
international engagements, such as treaties of arbitration
or regional 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 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 civilization and 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 of such peoples should be entrusted to
advanced nations who by reason of their resources, their
experience or their geographical position can best undertake
this responsibility, and who are willing to accept it, and
that this tutelage should be exercised by them as
Mandatories on behalf of the League.
The
character of the mandate must differ according to the stage
of the development of the people, the geographical situation
of the territory, its economic conditions and 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 these communities must be a principal
consideration in the selection of the Mandatory.
Other
peoples, especially those of Central Africa, are at such a
stage that the Mandatory must be responsible for the
administration of the territory under conditions which will
guarantee freedom of conscience and 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 traffic, and the prevention of the
establishment of fortifications 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 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 territory of the Mandatory, and other
circumstances, can be best administered under the laws of
the Mandatory as integral portions of its territory,
subject to the safeguards above mentioned 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 charge.
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 the Council.
A
permanent Commission shall be constituted to receive and
examine the annual reports of the Mandatories and to advise
the Council on all matters relating to the observance of the
mandates.
ARTICLE
23.
Subject
to and in accordance with the provisions of international
conventions existing or hereafter to be agreed upon, the
Members of the League:
(a)
will endeavor to secure and maintain fair and
humane conditions 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
establish and maintain the necessary international
organizations;
(b)
undertake to secure just treatment of the native
inhabitants of territories under 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 this
traffic is necessary in the common interest;
(e)
will make provision to secure and maintain freedom
of communications and of transit and equitable
treatment for the commerce of all Members of the
League. In 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 for the prevention and
control of disease.
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ARTICLE
24.
There
shall be placed under the direction of the League all
international bureaux already established by general
treaties if the parties to such treaties consent. All such
international bureau and all commissions for the regulation
of matters of international interest hereafter constituted
shall be placed under the direction of the League.
In
all matters of international interest which are regulated by
general convention but which are not placed under the
control of international bureau or commissions, the
Secretariat of the League shall, subject to the consent 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 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 of disease and the
mitigation of suffering throughout the world.
ARTICLE
26.
Amendments
to this Covenant will take effect when ratified by the
Members of the League whose Representatives compose the
Council and by a majority of the Members of the League whose
Representatives compose the Assembly.
No
such amendments shall 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.
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