Whenever it seems opportune, the General Council shall take the initiative of proposals to be laid before the different national or local societies. To facilitate the communications, the General Council shall publish periodical reports. It is self-understood, however, that the appliance of this rule will depend upon the peculiar laws of each country, and that, apart from legal obstacles, no independent local society shall be precluded from corresponding directly with the General Council. Every section has the right to appoint its own secretary corresponding directly with the General Council. Everybody who acknowledges and defends the principles of the International Working Men's Association is eligible to become a member.
Every branch is responsible for the integrity of the members it admits.
Each member of the International Association, on removing his domicile from one country to another, will receive the fraternal support of the Associated Working Men. While united in a perpetual bond of fraternal co-operation, the workingmen's societies joining the International Association will preserve their existent organizations intact. The present Rules may be revised by each Congress, provided that two-thirds of the delegates present are in favor of such revision. Everything not provided for in the present Rules will be supplied by special Regulations, subject to the revision of every Congress.