Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-10-03
COVENANT OF THE
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Complete Text Of This Important
Document As 1t Was Signed
at Paris and Which Is Now
Causing Discussion in
This Country.

The people Of the United States have
been asked, by both the proponents
and the opponents of the peace treaty
and League Of Nations covenant, to
give expression to their desires
as to the ratification of the treaty as
It stands or with amendments or reser-
vations. Some Of them have respond
cd at the meetings addressed by the
president and by the opposing sena-
tors, or by communications to their
senator's. But the vast majority of the
people are handicapped by their ig-
norance Of the matter. Probably not
one In ten thousand has read the
covenant of the League of Nations as
1t was presented to the senate, main
ly because few have had the 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 the covenant Is
herewith presented, and they are asked
to read 1t carefully.
The high contracting parties. in order
to promote international cooperation
and to achieve international peace and
security by the acceptance of obliga-
tions not to resort to war. by the 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 scru-
pulous respect for all treaty obliga-
tlons In the dealings Of organized peo-
pies with one another. 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 reserva-
tion to this covenant. Such accession
shall be effected by declaration de-
posted 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, do
minion, OF colony not named in the an
mex may become a member of the
league II its admission is agreed to by
two-thlrds OF the assembly. provided
Inll IL snail KlNc eHeCIlNo guarantees
OF Its sincere intention to observe its
international obli igations. and shall ac-
cept such regulations as may be pre-
scribed by the league in regard to its
military. naval and air forces and 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
q Nd 81 - - nd
nant 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 S.-The assembly shall
consist OF representatives of the
members OF the league.
The assembly shall meet at stated in
tervals and from time to time as 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 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
member of the league shall have one
vote. and may have not more than
three representatives.
ARTICLE 4-The council shall con-
slst 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 select
ed by the assembly from time to time
in its discretion. Until the appointment
OF the representatives of the four mem
bers OF the league h<st selected by the
assembly. representatives of Belgium.
Brazil, Spain. and Greece shall be mem
bers of the council.
with the approval Of the majority of
the assembly. the council may name
members OF the league whose repre-
sentatives shall always be members of
the council; the council with like ap-
prova1 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 rep
resented on the council shall be in
vited to send a representative to sit as
member at any meeting of the coun-
Gil 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 or
the council shall have one vote. and
may have not more than one repre-
sentative.
ARTICLE s.-Except where other
wise expressly provided in this cove
nant or by the terms Of the present
treaty. decisions at any meeting of the
assembly or of the council shall re-
quire the agreement of all the mem
bers Of the league represented at ths
meeting.
All matters OF procedure at meetings
Of the assembly or of the council. in.
cluding the appointment of committees
20 investigate particular matters shall
be regulated by the assembly or by the
council and may be decided by a ma.
jority OF the members of the leagu,
represented at the meeting.
The FIRST meeting of the assembly
and the first meeting of the counci
shall be summoned by the president o.
the United states of America.
ARTICLE s.-The permanent secre
tariat shall be established at the sea
OF the league. The secretariat shal
comprise a secretary general and sucl
secretaries and stan as may be re
duired.
The FIRST secretary general shall b.
the person named in the annex; there
acsz - secretary general shall b,
appointed by the council with the ap
provai OF the majority OF the assembly
The secretaries and staff of the sec
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