The Geneva Protocol, by David Hunter Miller

CHAPTER XX. 151
financial sanctions against" for the words "establishing the blockade of" in sub-paragraph (1). It was agreed to
combine both amendments--to adopt the British text above, and to begin a second paragraph with the words
"When in possession of this information the Council shall draw up, through its competent organs: (1) plans of
action for the application of the economic and financial sanctions of article 16 of the Covenant against an
aggressor State," &c.
109. Later, the British Delegation proposed to redraft the first paragraph in the form in which it finally appears
in the Protocol (having become article 12), to delete the remainder, and to substitute "It shall communicate
this report to the members of the League and to the other signatories." The redraft of the first paragraph was
accepted, but it was decided to allow the second paragraph to stand, as amended above.
110. Article 8.--The British Delegation had objections to raise against both paragraphs of this article. In the
first paragraph they objected to the words "place at the Council's disposal," and the second paragraph they
regarded as an attempt to revert to what was the operative principle of the Draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance.
111. They suggested as an alternative text:--
"Having regard to the fact that military sanctions are foreseen in article 16 of the Covenant, the Council may
receive undertakings from States fixing in advance the military forces which they would be willing to employ
against a Member of the League which was declared to be an aggressor.
"In view of the right of Members of the League to enter into such arrangements with the Council, no
agreement shall in future be concluded between States Members of the League, providing for military action
to be taken by them."
112. It became evident that the sub-committee could not be induced to accept the second paragraph of this
alternative text, and it was accordingly withdrawn. Exception was also taken {256} to the words in the first
paragraph, "against a Member of the League," &c., and it was agreed to substitute the words, "to ensure the
fulfilment of the obligations in regard to sanctions which result from the Covenant and the present Protocol."
113. The French Delegation then proposed that the article should read:--
"In view of the contingent military, naval and air sanctions provided for in article 16 of the Covenant, and
article 7 of the present Protocol, the Council shall be entitled to receive undertakings entered into by States
determining in advance the military, naval and air forces which they would bring into action immediately to
ensure the fulfilment of the obligations in regard to sanctions which result from the Covenant and the present
Protocol.
"When the aggressor is designated, the signatory States may, moreover, place in the field, in accordance with
agreements previously entered into, the whole or such part of their military, naval and air forces as they may
consider necessary for the assistance of a State which shall have been the victim of aggression.
"The obligations of the second paragraph shall be duly registered and published by the League of Nations, and
shall remain open for adherence by any State Member of the League which so desires."
114. It was the right of States, as the matter then stood, to enter into special agreements with one another for
determining in advance the military, naval and air forces which they would bring to the assistance of one
another under the conditions indicated. Under the Protocol, these special agreements would only come into
force when the Council had decided which State is the aggressor: they would simply provide means for
applying rapidly the sanctions prescribed in the Covenant and the Protocol.
115. Before, however, agreeing to this text a statement was made on behalf of the British Delegation,