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Synopsis of iVie Covenant
of LV»«
lucaQu^ of NlaLtons
BULLETIN No. 48
r'Xiovs
OCTOBER, i-yyi
THE AMERICAN RIGHTS LEAGUE
For Upholding' the Duty of the Republic
in International Relations
2 "WEST 45th ST., NEW YORK
SYNOPSIS OF THE COVENANT OF
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS
WITH COMMENT Y
HOWARD RUSSELL BUTLER
Peace, security, and international cooperation — these
are the corner-stones of civilization. Germany tried to
undermine them and Germany has been overthrown.
The summons to war is no longer heard, the call is to the
work of reconstruction. But any return to the “status
quo” is unthinkable for all know that the “Balance of
Power” plan has proved itself a war-breeder.
No, it took the frightfulness of war to open our eyes to
the great truth that lasting peace among nations must
come from cooperation not antagonism. The spirit of
fraternal agreement is now in the air. What could not be
accomplished before the war — as for example at the Hague
Conferences — is now attainable; for the world has been
made ready by fire and blood.
This golden opportunity will not last long.
As always, in such eras, the wild, the fantastic, and the
false loom large, while the sane and the true are thrust aside
as too simple, or condemned for slight defects.
The first task confronting the battered world is to formu-
late a sane plan — a covenant between nations which shall
be as nearly ideal as possible and at the same time accept-
I
able to the greatest number. This task has been ably per-
formed. The covenant of the League of Nations is now-
unrolled before us. It has been signed already by the
representatives of twenty-seven nations. Who — in 1913 —
could have believed this a possibility? It has been made a
certainty by the war.
The covenant now awaits ratification. It begins by
stating its great object; — viz., to promote international co-
operation, peace, and security. The pro-visions for sectuing
these essentials to civilized existence are set forth in twenty-
six articles
I believe that if these articles were carefully read by otir
citizens generally an overwhelming demand for immediate
ratification would result. But, alas, how few have read
them or have the chance to read them. The difiiculty to
the average man of obtaining a copy is far greater than it
should be. The press seems content to have published
them once, in July last; but few saved the issues of that
time. In Maine, where I spent the past three months, no
one seemed to know how or where to get a copy,
t The text of the Covenant should be printed by the
million copies and scattered broadcast. It should be pro-
curable at every news-stand. It should reappear from time
to time in every newspaper. Why give columns of critic-
isms and contentions on minor points while access to the
Soul of the Covenant is denied? For those who find it
laborious to read the full text, or who will not do so, synopses
should be supplied. What is needed is publicity, not argu-
ment. The merits are so manifest to the unbiased mind
that they will commend themselves irresistibly.
This is the way to silence the Borahs, the Johnsons, the
Reeds, and all the petty politicians who seek political capital
and who strain at gnats. Let them alone but publish the
Covenant.
I offer here a synopsis, in which the number of words
is about one-third that of the original ; also a few comments.
Synopsis — Covenant of the League of Nations
The high contracting parties, in order to promote inter-
national cooperation, peace, and security, by obligations
not to resort to war,
to maintain open, just, and honorable relations,
to establish international law, and
to maintain justice and respect for treaties,
agree to this Covenant.
Art. I. Original members shall be the nations (27)
signing (June 28, 1919) and such others (12 invited) as
shall accede without reservations and deposit declarations.
Others may be admitted by % vote of Assembly, on giving
satisfactory guarantees.
Any member may withdraw on 2 years notice, if its inter-
national and covenant obligations have been fulfilled.
Art. 2. The League is to act through an Assembly and
Council, with permanent secretariat.
Art. j. Assembly to consist of representatives of mem-
bers. Meetings to be at stated intervals and from time to
time; at seat of League or other chosen place.
May deal with any matter in its sphere or affecting gen-
eral peace.
Each member to have one vote and not more than 3
representatives
Art. 4. Council to consist of one representative, with one
vote, of each of the 5 principal powers, viz. : — United States,
British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan; and 4 other
temporary members, selected by the Assembly, from time
to time, beginning with Belgium, Brazil, Spain, and Greece.
Council, with majority approval of Assembly, may name
additional members to have permanent representation on
it and increase number of members to be selected by the
Assembly.
Council to meet from time to time and at least once a
year, at seat, etc. ■
May deal with any matter within its sphere or affecting
general peace.
3
Any member may have representative on Council when
question concerns its interests.
Art. Unanimous vote required of those represented
at Assembly and Council meetings, except as elsewhere
provided.
Matters of procedure and certain committee appoint-
ments determined by majority vote of members repre-
sented at meeting.
U. S. President to summon first meetings.
Art. 6. Permanent Secretariat to be at seat, comprising
Secretary General (ist Secy. Hon. Sir James Eric Drum-
mond). Successors appointed by Council with majority
approval of Assembly.
Staff appointed by Secy. Genl. with approval of Council.
Secy. Genl. presides at Assembly and Council meetings.
Expenses apportioned on Universal Ppstal Union plan.
Art. 7. Seat of League Geneva. Council can move it.
Both men and women eligible.
All have diplomatic immunity; buildings, etc., inviolable.
So much for the mechanism of the League. Now follow
the great ends to be accomplished through its agency. The
first of these is :
Art. 8. Reduction of Armaments.
All the members recognize that maintenance of peace
requires such reduction.
Council to formulate plans for consideration and action
of the several governments.
Subject to revision at least every ten years.
After adoption by each the limits shall not be exceeded
without concurrence of Council.
All the members recognize that private manufacture of
war materials, etc., is objectionable — Council to advise on
this.
All agree to give full information on their scales of arma-
ments, military and naval programs, and war industries.
Art. Q. Permanent Commission to be constituted to
4
advise Council on execution of provisions of Arts, i and 8
and on military and naval questions.
Thus a practical way is opened for a simultaneous reduc-
tion of armaments all along the line — it is not forced upon
any, but made attractive to all. A great opportunity — the
first in history — to rid the world of an accursed burden.
Now comes the most important of all the provisions —
the one which will best secure to the whole world the legiti-
mate fruitage of the war. It calls for some sacrifice but only
such as social progress asks of each for the good of all. The
article is short and is given here in full and should be com-
mitted to memory by everyone.
Art. 10. The members of the League undertake to re-
spect and preserve as against external aggression the terri-
torial integrity and existing political independence of all
members of the League. In case of any such aggression or
in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the
Council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation
shall be fulfilled.
Art. II. Any war or threat of war is declared to concern
the whole League, which shall act to safeguard peace;
Secy.-Genl. shall then, on request of any member, summon
a meeting of the Council.
Friendly right of each member to call attention to any
circumstance threatening international peace.
The purpose of Articles lo and ii is to prevent future
wars. Art. lO obligates the members to stand together
against “external aggression” — i.e., wars of conquest.
Internal disputes, boundary disputes, etc., do not come
under it. Stealing territory by force does. In the words of
a Republican Senator it “simply makes international
murder an international crime.” Is it not time that the
United States along with all other nations should agree
to such a pledge? This is the best safeguard for peace
ever offered. It is objected to as impairing the sovereignty
5
of the United States — as possibly involving us in some
future sacrifice. But this is the kind of sacrifice we have
just made and will always stand ready to make. It is in
the direct line of our noblest traditions.
A cowardly refusal to take this stand and let the world
“go hang” means that all our talk of ideals has been but
posing and boasting, — it means that our boys have died in
vain — that the fruits of their victory are but transient — not
permanent.
Now comes another important subject.
Art. 12. Arbitration.
Members agree that disputes that might lead to rupture
shall be submitted to arbitration or inquiry by Council and
not to resort to war for 3 months after award or report.
Award to be made within a reasonable time — report
within 6 months.
Art. ij. Members agree that arbitrable disputes, not to
be settled by diplomacy, will be submitted to arbitration.
Treaty interpretations, questions of international law,
and extent of reparations are declared to be arbitrable.
The Court of Arbitration shall be the one agreed on by
disputants.
The members agree to carry out award and not resort
to war against member complying therewith. In case any
member fails to carry out award Council shall propose steps.
Art. 14. Permanent court of International Justice to be
established, competent to hear, determine, and advise.
Art. 15. If such dispute arises and is not submitted to
arbitration members agree they will submit it to the Council.
Any party to the dispute may make the submission and
Secy.-Genl. will make arrangements. Parties should
promptly communicate facts and Council will publish.
Council shall endeavor to effect a settlement and then
publish such statement of facts and terms as deemed
appropriate.
6
If not settled Council (by majority vote) may publish
report and recommendations.
Any member may also publish facts and its conclusions.
If Council’s report is unanimous (except for disputants)
members agree not to go to war with any disputant comply-
ing with Council’s recommendations.
If Council not unanimous members reserve right to act
for maintenance of right and justice.
If Council finds dispute solely within domestic jurisdiction
of a member it shall so report and make no recommendation.
Council may refer dispute to Assembly; must be so re-
ferred if asked for by either party within 14 days.
Assembly then to have same powers as given to Council;
its report, if concurred in by all the Council members (except
disputants) and majority of other members, shall have same
force as a Council report.
Art. 16. Any member resorting to war in disregard of
Arts. 12, 13, or 15 is deemed to commit act of war against
all the others; which undertake to then sever trade and
financial relations and prohibit and prevent all financial,
commercial, or personal intercourse between nationals of
covenant-breaking state and nationals of all other states,
members or not.
Council shall then recommend what forces members
concerned shall severally contribute to protect covenants.
The members agree on mutual support in measures to
minimize loss and inconvenience and against enemy’s
measures and give passage to troops.
Any member violating Covenant may be expelled by
vote of Council concurred in by all others represented
thereon.
Art. 17. In case of dispute with non-member or between
non-members they shall be invited to accept conditional
obligations of membership and Arts. 12 to 16 shall apply
with necessary modifications.
The Council shall then inquire and recommend.
If invitation be refused and war is resorted to against
a member Art. 16 applies against state so acting.
7
If both non-members refuse Council shall act to prevent
hostilities and effect settlement.
Thus what the world has always looked forward to —
what the Hague tribunals failed to secure — comes within
reach. Anyone who now puts it in jeopardy is a traitor to
the catLse of civilization.
Now follows the important agreement on “publicity.”
Art. i 8 . Every future treaty or international engage-
ment made by members shall be forthwith registered with
secretariat and published. Otherwise not binding.
Art. ig. The Assembly may advise reconsideration of
outgrown or dangerous treaties.
Art. 20. Members agree that this Covenant abrogates
existing treaties inconsistent with it, and promise to make
none such.
And to take steps for release from those existing.
Art. 21. Nothing herein shall invalidate international
engagements such as Treaties of Arbitration, and Regional
understandings like Monroe Doctrine.
The hateful secret treaty should be and, if the above is
enacted, can be doomed.
Now for the Colony question. What are the true prin-
ciples on which they should be developed and their affairs
administered?
Art. 22. The Colonies formerly held by the Central
Powers, and still unfitted for self-government, become civili-
zation’s sacred trust, and securities for performance should
be provided.
8
Their tutelage should be intrusted to advanced nations
fitted by resources, experience, and geographical position,
who, if willing, should become mandataries.
Mandates must differ according to : Stage of development,
geographical situation, economic conditions, etc.
Armenians, etc., can be independent but subject to advice
and assistance of Mandatary, their wishes being considered.
Mandataries for Central Africa must guarantee religious
freedom, prohibition of slave trade, arms traffic and liquor
traffic, prevention of fortifications, etc., and trade and
commerce facilities.
S. W. Africans and South Sea peoples can be best ad-
ministered as portions of Mandatary’s territory, subject to
above safeguards.
All Mandataries to render annual report to Council.
Authority of Mandatary to be explicitly defined.
Permanent commission to be created on Mandataries.
Can anyone object to the above enlightened and humane
system, based on Christian principles.
Art. 2j. Labor — The League will aim and work for:
{a) Humane conditions of labor for men, women, and
children through international organizations.
{b) Just treatment of natives, etc.
(c) Against traffic in women, children, and opium.
(d) Control in trade in arms and ammunition.
(e) Freedom of communications and transit and equit-
able commerce regulations, with especial attention to de-
vastated regions.
(/) For prevention and control of disease.
Art. 24. Existing international bureaus to come under
control of League if establishing parties consent. Future
commissions regulating international interests to be under
League.
Secy.-Genl. to give information and assistance when
desired and if Council consent to general conventions regu-
lating matters of international interest.
9
Art. 25. National Red Cross Organizations. League to
promote and encourage establishment and cooperation
throughout the world.
Art. 26. Amendments require:
Unanimous ratification of members represented on
Council; and majority ratification of members represented
on Assembly.
No amendment binds dissenting member but such forfeits
membership.
Those who regretted that the United States delayed in
entering the war, and who would have had us in the fight
before Germany had really made overt war on us, cannot
logically oppose the execution of this treaty.
The division of opinion over ratification in the Senate
has been drawn strictly on party lines. The opposing Sena-
tors have almost never alluded to its merits. They are
evidently bound by agreement to find defects and make the
most of them. It has been a sorry exhibition of petty critic-
ism and animus, ludicrously mixed with endeavors to
reap the credit for the Covenant itself. Had this identical
Covenant originated with the other party it would now be
insisting on ratification without a single amendment, re-
servation, or even interpretation.
In the meantime the opportunity of the United States
to lead the world in the greatest reform since “Magna
Charta” slips by, and when ratification does eventuate, as
it surely will, it will have been so grudgingly given that the
reputation of the United States, as the champion of pro-
gressive civilization, will be largely sacrificed.
It is time that the people should rise and demand that
the United States be allowed to take its rightful place in
furthering this great step in social progress.
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Memorial
Declaration of Principles
*America’s Part Among Nations
*Wliere Mr. Wilson Has Failed Us
*National Opportunity and Responsibility
* America s Foreign Policy
*Aldmg the Entente as an American Policy .
List of Honorary Vice-Presidents
*British Trade Restraints and Peace Prospects
*Words Without Deeds — Moral Tre 2 ison
A Personal Letter to the Kaiser
*The Night Before Birth ....
Does the German State Recognize the Mora!
Law ? .
Is Germany Fulfilling Nietzsche ? . .
The Natural History of the Neutral
The Other Tradition ....
List of Officers and Honorary Vice-Presidents
*To the American People
*Germany’s Conduct of the War
Cardinal Mercier’s Appeal to the World
Why We Should Fight Germany Now .
The Appeal of the Belgian Workingmen
No False Peace .....
America Faces Momentous Year
Against the Laws of God and Man . .
*Telegrams Read at Carnegie HcJl Meeting,
March 5. 1917
* No Separate War . ....
*America’s Part in the World-War . .
* The Duty of America ....
tThe Peril of Prussianism ....
* Address to the Russian People .
*The United States and Pan-Germanism
tA Letter to a German Professor
A New Declcuration of Independence .
tTreason ......
fOde on the Sailing of our Troops for France.
Prussianized Germany ....
A Permanent Alliance of English-Speaking
Peoples ......
George Louis Beer
N. Y. Tribune
Randolph H. McKim
Charles P, Howland
George F, Canfield
Frederic R. Coudert
Elihu Root
Bruce Barton
Charlotte H. Craw/or
L. L. Forman
L. L. Forman
L. L. Forman
L. L. Forman
Geo. Haven Putnam
The Nation (London)
William H. Doughty,
Religious Leaders
John Grier Hibhen
Theodore Marburg
F. J. Mather, Jr.
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Richard Cabot
Douglas W. Johnson
American Rights Le
Andre Cheradame
D. W. Johnson
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Charles Stewart Dav‘
John Jay Chapman
Otto H. Kahn
Reprint of Advertisements — Appeals to the People
Huntington Wilson
Geo. Haven Putnam
George L. Knapp
Samuel Harden Chur
J. B. W. Gardiner
Labor and the Wm
Britain and America ....
The Danger of Peace Discussion
How Germany is Preparing for the Next War
An Alliance of the English-Speaking Peoples
of the World Theodore Roosevelt and Geo- Haven Futn
The Common Cause. Britain’s Part in the
Great War . Compiled by The Library of War Literal
The British Elmpire and a League of Peace . George Burton Adams
The Treaty of Peace and the League of Nations
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