THE COVENANTER Text of the Plan adopted by the Paris Peace Conference, April 28, 1919 PREAMBLE In order to promote international cooperation and to achieve international peace and security, by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war, by the prescription of open, just and honourable relations between nations, by the firm establishment of the understandings of international law as to actual rule of conduct among Governments, and by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another, the high contracting parties agree to this covenant of the League of Nations. ARTICLE I 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 reservation to this covenant. Such accessions shall be effected by a declaration deposited 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, dominion or colony not named in the annex may become a member of the league if its admission is agreed to by two-thirds of the assembly, provided that it shall give effective guarantees of its sincere intention to observe its international obligations and shall accept such regulations as may be prescribed by the league in regard to its military and naval forces and armaments. 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 covenant shall have been fulfilled at the time of its withdrawal. ARTICLE II The action of the league under this covenant shall be effected through the instrumentality of an Assembly and of a Council, with a permanent Secretariat. ARTICLE III The Assembly shall consist of representatives of the members of the league. The Assembly shall meet at stated intervals, and from time to time as occasion may require, at the seat of the league, or at such other place as may be decided upon. The Assembly may deal at its meetings 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 IV The Council shall consist of representatives of the United States of America, of the British Empire, of France, of Italy, and of Japan, |