The Geneva Protocol

John Stuart Mill · en
22. It will be seen from the terms of the resolution of the 6th
September that the scheme of "arbitration, security and disarmament,"
though forming one indivisible whole, would require the deliberation of
two of the regular Committees of the Assembly.  The First Committee,
dealing with the legal questions, would have to develop the principle
of arbitration, while the Third Committee, dealing with the reduction
of armaments, would have to consider the problems of security and
disarmament.

23. It was realised that the work would overlap at many points, and the
two Committees kept in constant touch throughout, the result of their
labours being finally co-ordinated by a joint drafting sub-Committee.

24. During the whole period of discussion the British Delegation kept
in close touch with the Dominion and Indian Delegations, who were
consulted on all points of difficulty, and who were given every
opportunity of expressing their views.  This was done, not only by
means of private consultation, but also at fourteen formal meetings of
the Delegations.

25. In the following sections an attempt is made to trace the evolution
of the Protocol through its various stages in the First and Third
Committees.


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II.--WORK OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE.

26. The first plenary meeting of the First Committee was held on the
2nd September, when Sir Littleton Groom (Australia) was elected
Chairman, and M. Limburg (Netherlands) Vice-Chairman.  Sir C. Hurst
represented the British Empire.

27. On the 9th September the Committee began its deliberations on the
Assembly resolution of the 6th September regarding arbitration,
security and disarmament.  The Assembly, by this resolution, instructed
the First Committee:--

    "(_a_.) To consider, in view of possible amendments, the articles
    in the Covenant relating to the settlement of disputes;

    "(_b_.) To examine within what limits the terms of article 36,
    paragraph 2, of the Statute establishing the Permanent Court of
    International Justice might be rendered more precise, and thereby
    facilitate the more general acceptance of the clause;

"and thus strengthen the solidarity and security of the nations of the
world by settling by pacific means all disputes which may arise between
States."