The Geneva Protocol, by David Hunter Miller

CHAPTER XX. 152
expressing regret that the sub-committee had not seen its way to make the Protocol an instrument whereby the
League would only act as a whole. It was, however, recognised that the last paragraph introduced {257} an
improvement, as, if separate agreements must exist, it would be better that they should be registered with the
League. "But that does not alter the fact that you are making provision on the face of a new document for that
which has been turned down in connection with the Draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance." Further opposition to
the draft article was not pressed, but the British Delegation made known their desire that words should be
recorded expressing regret that the League was not to act as a whole, and to set its face "like flint against
anything like the old balance of power by allowing these regional pacts to go on under this new instrument."
The above text was then adopted.
116. Article 8A.--The British Delegation proposed that the article should read: "Shall not affect the territorial
integrity or political independence of the aggressor State." This was agreed to, and it was also decided to
prefix a paragraph relating to the costs of military, naval or air operations, similar to article 10 of the Draft
Treaty of Mutual Assistance.
117. Article 9.--Objection was raised by the British Delegation to the last paragraph of article 9, and they
moved that the following be substituted:--
"The provisions of the present Protocol in regard to arbitration and sanctions shall come into force when the
scheme for the reduction of armaments, drawn up by the International Conference, has been effectively
carried out in accordance with the conditions fixed by the Conference itself."
118. The French Delegation maintained strongly that the Protocol must be brought into operation before the
International Conference could meet. The British Delegation offered a compromise with the suggestion that
their Government might sign the Protocol, and ask Parliament to approve it before the Conference met. But
preparatory arrangements for the Conference should go on concurrently. Directly agreement was reached by
the Conference, ratifications could 'be deposited. As this failed to meet the views of the French Delegation,
the British {258} Delegation made a final proposal whereby endeavours should be made to secure ratification
and deposit of ratifications before the Conference met, provided the Protocol itself contained a provision to
the effect that it should only become operative when the International Conference reached a conclusion. The
French Delegation indicated their willingness in principle to accept this, but wished to consider an actual text.
119. At the next meeting the Chairman submitted the following version:--
"The undersigned Members of the League of Nations undertake to participate in an International Conference
for the Reduction of Armaments which shall be convened by the Council of the League and shall meet at
Geneva on Monday, the 15th June, 1925. States not Members of the League of Nations shall be invited to this
Conference.
"The ratifications of the present Protocol shall be deposited with the Secretariat of the League of Nations at
the latest by the 1st May, 1925. If at least fifteen Members of the League, of which four are permanently
represented on the Council, have not deposited their ratification by the 1st, May 1925, the Secretary-General
of the League shall cancel the invitations.
"The entry into force of the present Protocol shall be suspended until a plan for the reduction of armaments
has been adopted by the Conference.
"With a view to the summoning of the latter, the Council, taking into account the undertakings contained in
articles 7 and 8 of the present Protocol, will prepare a general programme for the reduction of armaments
which will be placed at the disposal of the Conference.
"If, within a period of (Transcriber's note: blank space in source) after the adoption of the plan for the