Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-04-18
official Summary or The League
Covenant Text.

1
covenant of the league of nations has
been issued:
I'D The league of nations is founded
in order to promote International coopera-
ton and to secure peace. The league will
include (a) the belliserent states named
in document annexed to the covenant
| CO. all the neutral states so named, and
(c) in the future any self-governine coun-
try whose admission is approved by two
thirds Of the states already members of
tine league.
"A state may withdraw from the league,
provided it has kept its obligations to date.
on giving two years notice.
icy The league will act through an as
| sembly comprising not more than three
representatives of each of the member
states, each state having only one vote,
and council comprising for the present
one representative OF each of the five
great powers and each Of four other pow
ers as selected from time to time by the
assembly.
THE number of powers of each class
represented on the council may be increased
by the unanimous consent of the council
and majority of the assembly. Other
powers have the right to sit as members
Of the council during the decision of mat
tiers in which they are especially interested.
I'm the council. as in the assembly, each
state will have only one vote. Both these
bodies are to meet at stated intervals (the
council at least once year,, and at other
times If required both can deal with any
matter that is of international interest or
that threatens the peace of the world the
decision of both must be unanimous, ex-
cept in certain specified cases, matters of
procedure, for instance, being decided by
a majority voice.
THE league will have permanent sec
retariat. under a secretary general. The
secretariat and all other bodies under the
league may include women, equally with
men. A permanent court of international
Justice, and various permanent commits
sions and bureaus are also to be established.
"(3) The member states agree (a) To
reduce their armamtnts. plans for such re-
duction being suggested by the council, but
only adopted with the consent of the states
themselves, and thereafter not to increase
them without the concurrence of the coun-
Gil; (b) to exchange full information Of
their existing armies and their naval and
military programs; (c) to respect each
others territory and personal independence,
and to guarantee them against foreign az
gression: (d) to submit all international
disputes either to arbitration or to inquiry
by the council. which latter. however, may
not pronounce an opinion on any dispute
whose subject matter falls solely within a
states domestic Jurisdiction; in no case
to 60 to war till three months after an
award, or a unanimous recommendation
has been made, and even then not to 60 to
war with state which accepts the award
or recommendation (e) to regard state
which has broken the covenant as having
committed an act of war against the league
to break off all economic and other rela-
tons with it, and to allow free passage
through their territories to the troops OF
those states which are contributing armed
force on behalf of the league.
1.-THE council is to recommend what
amount Of force. If any, should be sup.
piled by the several governments con-
cerned, but the approval of the latter is
necessary Estates not members of the
league will be invited to accept the obli-
cations Of the league for the purpose Of
particular disputes, and If they fail to
comply may be forced (D not to consider
any treaty binding till it has been COM
municated to the league. which will then
proceed to publish it. to admit the right
Of the assembly to advise the reconsidera-
ton of treaties and International condi-
tons which do not accord with present
needs. and to be bound by no obligations
inconsistent with the covenant.
"A state which breaks its agreements
may be expelled from the league by the
council.
go The covenant does not affect the
validity Of international amendments,
such as treaties of arbitration or regional
understandings like the Monroe doctrine
for securing the maintenance of peace.
"(5) The former German colonies and
the territories Of the Ottoman Empire are
to be administered in the interests of civil
lization by states which are willing to be
manufactures of the league. which will ex-
ercise general supervision.
"(6) The member states accept certain
responsibilities with regard to labor con-
ditions, the treatment of natives. the white
slave traffic, the opium traffic. the arms
traffic with uncivilized and semicivilized
countries. transit and trade conditions,
public health and Red Cross societies.
"(D The league is recognized as the
central body interested in coordinatine
and assisting international activities gem
orally.
"(S) Amendments to the covenant re-
quire the approval of all the states on the
council and simple majority of those in
the assembly. States which signify their
dissent from amendments thus approved
are not bound by them, but, in this case.
cease to be members Of the league"
Business Report Not Encouraging.
Only five out Of 22 principal industrial
groups throughout the country reported a
condition Of general business prosperity in
replies to QUESTIONABLE sent to its 400
members by the National Association Of
Manufacturers. A digest Of the replies.
issued by the association. showed that 10
out Of the % groups into which its men,