The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-10-17
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.

give expression to their desires
as to the ratification of the treaty as
1t stands or with amendments or reser-
vations. Some of them have respond
ed, 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
it 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-
tons not to resort to war, by the pre-
scription of open, just and honorable
relations between nations, by the firm
esta Enlistment of the understandings of
international law as the actual rule
of conduct among governments, and by
the maintenance of justice and seru-
pulous respect for all treaty obliga-
tions 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 reserya
ton to this covenant. Such accession
shall be effected by a 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 seIf-governing state, do
mtnion. or colony not named in the an
mex may become member Of the
league if it's admission is agreed to by
two-thirds of the assembly, provided
that it shall give effective guarantees
of its sincere intention to observe it's
international obligations, 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 to
do. withdraw from the league, provided
that all its international obligations
nant shall have been fulfilled at the
time of it's 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
permanent secretariat.
ARTICLE 3.-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 coca
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.-Ths council shall con-
sist 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 first 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-
| prevail may increase the number of
| members of the league to be selected
| by the assembly for representation on
| the council
r1,f1 -ha aaf F-Nr rfrara m
| 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 srague not rep
| resented on the council shall be in
+! vited to send a representative to sit as
| a 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
4 member OF the league represented on
/ the council shall have one vote, and
may have not more than one repre-
| sentative.
! ARTICLE 5.-Except where other
! wise expressly provided in this cove
/
| treaty, decisions at any meeting of the
i assembly or of the council shall re-
/ quire the agreement of all the mem
bers of the league represented at the
| meeting.
| All matters of procedure at meeting
| of the assembly or of the council. in
| GLIDING the appointment OF committees
/ to investigate particular matters. shall
| be regulated by the assembly or by the
i council and may be decided by a ina
| jority of the members of the league
represented at the meeting.
TIE first meeting of the assembly
| ana the first meeting of the council
! shall be summoned by the president of
| the United States of America.
ARTICLE 6.-The permanent secre-
| tariat shall be established at the seat
| OF the league. The secretariat shall
| comprise a secretary general Spd such
/ secretaries and stan as mas be re-
i -. La.