Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-10-09
COVENANT OF THE
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Complete Text Of This important
Document As It 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. 70
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
president and by the opposing sena-
tors, or by communications to their
senators. 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 it carefully.
The high contracting parties. in order
to promote international cooperation
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 Arm
establishment of the understandings of
international law as the actual rule
of conduct among governments, and by
the maintenance of justice and scru-
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 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
20 all other members of the league
Any fully self-governing state, do
minion, or colony not named in the an
mex may become member of the
league If its admission Is agreed to by
two-thirds of the assembly provided
that it shall give effective guarantees
of it's sincere intention to observe Its
international obligations. and shall ae-
cept such regulations as may be pre-
military. naval and air forces and arm
aments.
ANY member of the league may, after
two years notice Of it's intention so to
do withdraw from the league, provided
that all its intern -tional obligations
and all It's obligations under this cove
nant shall have been fulfilled at the
time of it's withdrawal
ARTICLE 2-The action OF the
IAaCua i1pder this coVAnaut shall be
effected through the instrumentality of
an assembly and of a council, with q
permanent secretariat.
ARTICLE 3.--The assembly shall
consist of representatives OF the
members of the league.
The assembly shall meet at stated In
tervais and from time to time as occa-
sion may require at the seat of the
League or at such other place as may
b. decided upon.
The assembly may deal at its meet
zngs 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-
uist of Representatives of the principal
allied and associated powers, together
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 snail pc mem
pers 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 o.
the council; the council with like ap
proyal may increase the number o.
members Of the league to be selected
by the assembly for representation OF
the council
The council shall meet from time t
time as occasion may require. and
least once a year, at the seat OF TN
league, or at such other place as ma!
be decided upon.
The council may deal at its meeting
with any matter within the sphere o
action of the league or affecting tn
peace of the world.
ANY member of the league not rep
resented on the council shall De IN
yited to send a representative to sit
member at any meeting of the coun
Gil during the consideration of matter
specially affecting the interests OF tina
member of the league.
At meetings of the council eac
member of the league represented o.
the council shall have one vote an
NAV have not more than one repre-
sentative.
ARTICLE 5.-Except where other
wise expressly provided in this cove
nant or by the terms of the presen
treaty, decisions at any meeting of tn
assembly or of the council shall re
ouire the agreement of all the mem
hers of the league represented at tn
meeting.
All matters OF procedure at meetinD
of the assembly or of the council, in
GLIDING the appointment of committee
10 investigate particular matters, sha
be regulated by the assembly or by tn
council and may be decided by ma
5ority Of the members of the le9 ~
represented at the meeting
The first meeting of the assembl
and the first meeting Of the counc
shall be summoned by the president {
the United States of America.
ARTICLE 6-The permanent secrt
<actot shall he established at the sec