The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-01
FULL TEXT OF rs ARTICLES
OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Report on the plan for the league
OF nations made by the president Of
the United States on behalf of the
Commission constituted by the preiim-
mary peace conference in session at
Versailles, France.
COVENANT-Preamble.
In order to promote international
cooperation and to secure interna-
tonal peace and security by the &C
ceptance OF obligation not to resort to
war, by the prescription Of open, Just,
and honorable relations between ma
tons. 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
Tor all treaty obligations in the deal
ings OF organized people with one an
other. the powers signatory to this
covenant adopt this constitution of
the league Of nations.
Article I.
The action of the high contracting
parties under the terms of this COW
enant shall be effected through the
fundamentally of meeting of body
OF delegates representing the high
contracting parties, Of meeting at
more frequent intervals of an execu-
tive council. and of a permanent inter
national secretariat to be established
at the seat Of the league.
Article II.
Meetings OF the body Of delegates
shall be held at stated intervals and
from time to time as occasion may re-
quire for the purpose of dealing with
matters within the sphere of action of
the league. Meetings Of the body of
delegates shall be held at the seat of
the league or at such other place as
may be found convenient, and shall
consist of representatives of the high
contracting parties. Each of the high
contracting parties shall have one
vote, but may not have more than
three representatives
Article ~.
The executive council shall consist
OF representatives of the United
States of America, the British Empire,
France, Italy, and Japan, together
with representatives of four other
States, members of the league. The
selection of these four States shall be
made by the body of delegates on such
principles and in such manner as they
think fit. Pending the appointment
af these representatives of the other
States, representatives of ----- shall
be members of the executive council
Meetings of the council shall be
held from time to time as occasion
may require, and at least once year,
at whatever place may be decided
upon, OF, failing any such decision, at
the seat of the league, and any mat
ter within the sphere of action of the
league or affecting the peace of the
world may be dealt with at these
, meetings.
Invitations shall be sent to any pow
err to attend a meeting of the council
at which matter directly affecting its
interests are to be discussed, and no
decision taken at any meeting will be
binding on such powers unless so in
vited.
Article w.
All matter of procedure at meetings
of the body of delegates or the exec
utive council, including the appoint
ment OF the committees to investigate
particular matters, shall be regulated
by the body of delegates or the exec
utive council, and may be decided by
a majority of the States represented
at the meeting.
The first meeting of the body of del
egates and of the executive council
shall be summoned by the President
OF the United States of America.
Article v.
The permanent secretariat of the
league shall be established at --,
which snail constitute the seat of the
league. The secretariat shall com
prise such secretaries and staff as
may be required, under the general
direction and control of secretary
general of the league, who shall be
chosen by the executive council; the
secretariat shall be appointed by the
secretary general, subject to confirm
alton by the executive council.
The secretary general shall act in
that capacity at all meetings of the
body OF delegates or of the executive
council
The expenses of the secretariat
shall be borne by the States members
of the league in accordance with ap-
pointment of the expenses of the In
ternational Bureau of the Universal
Postal Union.
Article vi.
Representative of the high con-
tracing parties ana OHcldiS vi the
league when engaged on the business
of the league shall enjoy diplomatic
privileges and immunities, and the
buildings occupied by the league or
its officials or by representatives at
tending its meetings shall enjoy the
benefits of eXtraterritoriality.
Article VII.
Admission to the league OF states
not signatories to the covenant and
not named in the protocol hereto at
States to beinvited to adhere TO the
covenant requires the assent of the
not less than two-thirds of the States
represented in the body of delegates,
and shall be limited to fully selt-gov-
erning countries, including dominious
and colonies.
No State shall be admitted to the
league unless it is able to give effec-
tive guarantees of its sincere inten-
ton to observe its international obli-
cations. and unless it shall conform
10 sucn principles as may be pre-
scribed by the league in regard to It's
naval and military forces and arm
aments.