The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-15
COVENANT.

tt'Hut tOOPtIuttOUu uUO W StCuTC tUtcT-
national peace and security Jy the
acceptance Of obligations not to re-
sort to icur, by the prescription Of
open. Just ond honorable relations
bcttceen nations, by the firm estab-
lishment Of the understanding OF
international ldU as the actual rule
OF conduct among governments and
by the maintenance of Justice and a
scrupulous respect for all treaty OBJ.
legations in the dealings OF organized
peoples tCith one another, the Poicers
stomdtorv to this couenant adopt this
constitution of the League Of No
tions:
ARTICLE !.
The action of the high contracting
parties under the terms Of this cove
nant shall be effected through the
instrumentality OF q meeting OF a
body of delegates representing the
high contracting parties, Of meetings
at more frequent intervals of an
executive council and of a perma-
nent international 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
require 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 places as may be found con-
venient. and shall consist OF repre-
sentatives of the high contracting
parties, Each OF the high contract
ing parties shall have one vote, but
may have not more than three rep
resentatives.
ARTICLE III.
The executive council shall con-
sist Of representatives OF the United
States Of America. the British EN-
pire, France, Italy and Japan, to-
gether with representatives OF four
other States, members Of the league.
The selection OF these four States
shall be made by the body OF dele
gates on such principles and in such
manner as they think At. Pending
the appointment Of these representa-
tives OF other States representa-
tives OF (blank left for names) shall
be members of the executive coun-
ell
Meetings of the council shall be
held from time to time as occasion
may be required and at least once a
year. at whatever place may be de-
cided on, or. falling any such decision.
at the seat Of the league. and any
matter within the sphere of action
OF the league or affecting the peace
Of the world may be dealt with at
such meetings.
Invitations shall be sent to any
Power to attend a meeting OF the
council at which such matters di-
rectly affecting its interests are to
be discussed and no decision taken
at any meeting will be binding on
such Powers unless so invited.
ARTICLE ".
All matters OF procedure at meet
ings of the body of delegates or the
executive council, including the ap-
pointment Of committees to investi-
gate particular matters. shall be
regulated by the body of delegates
or the executive council. and may
be decided by a majority OF the
States represented at the meeting.
The first meeting of the body Of
delegates and OF the executive coun-
Gil shall be summoned by tho Presi-
dent OF the United States OF Amer
lea.
ARTICLE v.
The permanent secretariat OF the
league shall be established at -,
which shall constitute the seat of
the league. The secretariat shall
comprise such secretaries and staff
as may be required, under the gem
eral direction and control OF a sec
retary-ge general of the league, who
shall be chosen by the executive
council; the secretariat shall be ap-
pointed by the secretary general
subject to confirmation by the ex-
ecutive 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 mem
bers OF the league in accordance
wan tiiC hppoi Vi tiiN Ga
penses of the international bureau
of the Universal Postal Union.
ARTICLE vi.
Representatives Of the high contract
ing parties and officials of the league
when engaged in the business of the
league shall enjoy diplomatic privi-
leges and immunities, and the build
ings occupied by the league or its Of
RAfa ala lx, go att Ii,,.x
its meetings shall enjoy the benefits OF
eHtraterritoriality.
ARTICLE VII.
Admission to the league OF states not
sgnatories to the covenant and not
| named In the protocol hereto as States
| to be invited to adhere TO the covenant
| requires the assent OF not less than
| two-thirds OF the States represented In
| the body OF delegates. and shall be lin
tied to fully self-governing countries,
| including dominions and colonies.
No state shall he admitted TO the
league unless II In able TO give effective
guarantees of its sincere intention to
+, observe It's international obligations
and unless II shall conform to such
principles as may be prescribed by the
league in regard to Its naval and mill
tary forces and armaments.
ARTICLE VIII.
The high contracting parties recog-
/ nize the principle that the maintenance
of peace will require the reduction OF
national armaments to the lowest poin,
consistent with national safety and the
enforcement by common action OF In
ternationai obligations. having special
regard to the geographical situation
and circumstances Of each State. and the