Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-10-02
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, TO
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
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 obllga-
lions 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 q 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. or colony not named in the an
mex may become q member Of the
two-thirds Of the assembly. provided
of Its sincere intention to observe its
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 SO to
do. withdraw from the league. provided
that all Its international obligations
and all its obligations under this cove
nant shall have been fulfilled at the
time OF Its withdrawal.
ARTICLE 1--The action Of the
league under this covenant shall be
effected through the instrumentality OF
an assembly and of council. with q
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
be decided upon.
The assembly may deal at Its meet
ings with any matter within the
sphere Of action of the league oil
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 thar
three representatives.
ARTICLE A-The council shall con
sist Of representatives of the principa
allied and associated powers. together
with representatives of four Other
members of the league. These foul
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 tht
assembly. representatives of Belgium
Brazil, Spain. and Greece shall be mem
bers Of the council.
With the approval Of the majority o.
the assembly, the council may nam,
members Of the league whose repre-
sentatives shall always be members o.
the council; the council with like ap
prevail 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 q
least once a year. at the seat of thu
league, or at such other place as ma!
be decided upon.
The council may deal at its meetings
with any matter within the sphere o
action of the league or affecting thu
peace of the world.
Any member of the league not rep
resented on the council shall be in
yited to send a representative to sit a!
q member at any meeting of the coun
ell during the consideration of matter!
specially affecting the interests of tina
member of the league.
At meetings of the council. eacl
member of the league represented oil
the council shall have one vote, ant
may 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 thu
assembly or of the council shall re
quire the agreement of all the mem
bers of the league represented at tn
meeting.
All matters of procedure at meeting
of the assembly or of the council, in
GLIDING the appointment of committee
to investigate particular matters. shall
be regulated by the assembly OF by tn
council and may be decided by ma
jority of the members of the leagu
represented at the meeting.
TIE first meeting of the assembl.
and the first meeting Of the council
shall be summoned by the president o
the United States of America.
ARTICLE 6-The permanent score