The Geneva Protocol — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Geneva Protocol
John Stuart Mill · en
77. In its final form M. Politis's report was incorporated in the
general report submitted to the Fifth Assembly by the First and Third
Committees. This general report[2] was adopted unanimously by the
Assembly on the 2nd October, and it can thus be regarded as the
official document containing the views of the Members of the League in
regard to the interpretation of the Protocol.
III.--WORK OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE.
78. The Third Committee began its deliberations on the Assembly
resolution on arbitration, security and disarmament on the 9th
September, under the presidency of M. Duca (Roumania) (subsequently
replaced by M. Politis [Greece]), and the proceedings opened with a
general discussion, which was continued until the 13th. Lord Parmoor
and Mr. Henderson represented the British Empire.
79. After the method of procedure had been settled, a statement was
made expressing the standpoint of the British Delegation on the
questions of arbitration under the three heads of arbitration, court
decisions and conciliation, and the views then expressed were
maintained at the subsequent meetings. A short {249} reference was
made to the question of sanctions, but any detail was avoided in order
to leave room for free discussion with the members of the French
Delegation. The note of the British Government on the Draft Treaty of
Mutual Assistance was referred to as expressing the final view and not
requiring any further comment.
80. Most of the speakers devoted some time to a statement of the views
of their Governments on the Draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance, against
which the main objections urged were the uncertainty in regard to the
definition of aggression, the too wide discretion and powers conferred
upon the Council and the evils attendant on the system of
"complementary agreements" sanctioned by the Treaty. The first defect
might now be remedied by the extension of the system of arbitration,
which would simplify the definition of aggression. As regards the
"complementary agreements," even those who recognized their harmful
possibilities were compelled to admit that they could not be abolished
or prevented, and that their power for evil might be lessened if they
were controlled and brought within a general scheme of mutual
assistance under the League.
81. All the speakers were in substance agreed that the Covenant itself
afforded the best basis for any scheme of mutual assistance; that it
needed only to be developed and carried to its logical conclusion in
order that it might provide an adequate basis of security.