An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 15 By PAUl O'BRIEN A s the great War of 1914 to 1918 came to an end, world leaders sought to establish an organisation that, through negotiation or the implementation of sanc- tions, could prevent mass slaughter like that which had just devastated countries throughout the world. During the war, as men were being sent to the trenches, influential voices in the United States and Britain began campaigning for a permanent international organisation to maintain peace in the post-war world. The United States president, Woodrow Wilson, became a vocal advocate of this concept and in a proposal he submit- ted on ending the World War, he mentioned such a body. As the war ended and world powers convened at Versailles in France to agree on formal peace terms, Wilson urged every- one involved to establish a just and lasting peace, but this was not to be. The League of Nations was approved, and during the sum- mer of 1919 Wilson presented the Treaty of Versailles and the Covenant of the League of Nations to the US Senate for ratifi- cation. However, the Senate thought that the League and the Treaty reduced US authority. Before he could debate the issue and reach a compromise with his opponents in the Senate, Wilson suffered a severe stroke. As a result, the Senate did not ratify the Treaty and the US did not join the League, leav- ing the organisation weak and somewhat vulnerable. On 10th January 1920, the Covenant of the League of Na- tions came into force having been ratified by 42 nations. The League comprised the General Assembly (representing all member states), the Executive Council (with member- ship limited to major powers), and a permanent secretariat. Member powers were expected to 'respect and preserve as against external aggression' the territorial integrity of other members and to disarm 'to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety.' All states were required to submit complaints for arbitra- tion or judicial inquiry before going to war. The Executive Council would establish a Permanent Court of International Justice to make judgements on disputes. During the 1920s, the League, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, incorporated new members and suc- cessfully mediated and resolved minor international disputes. A series of disputes between Germany and Poland over Upper Silesia, between Italy and Greece, and between Greece and Bulgaria, were resolved under its auspices. However it failed to deal with Britain and the question of Palestine. In addition to the Permanent Court of International Justice, The League of Nations at its opening session in Geneva, Switzerland, 15th November 1920. Photo #97289 UN Photo/Jullien Declaration by United Nations issued in Washington, DC, on 1st January 1942, pledging 'to employ its full resources, military or economic' in 'the struggle for victory over Hitlerism'. Washington DC, United States. Photo #327496 UN Photo/VH

• Cover