Summary
The system set out in the January 30, 1919 resolutions quoted in the Peace Conference’s Instructions for Commissioners: territories severed from the Turkish Empire (and the former German colonies) are not annexed but held in tutelage by advanced nations as mandatories on behalf of the League of Nations, on the principle that “the well-being and development of such peoples form a sacred trust of civilization” (Report of the American Section of the Inter-Allied Commission on Mandates in Turkey, lines 29-145).
Details
- The character of the mandate must differ according to the stage of development of the people, the geographical situation of the territory, its economic conditions and other similar circumstances (lines 49-145).
- Communities formerly belonging to the Turkish Empire that have reached a stage of development where their existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognised are subject to administrative advice and assistance by a mandatory until they are able to stand alone, and “The wishes of these communities must be a principal consideration in the selection of the mandatory power” (lines 49-145).
- Other peoples, especially those of Central Africa, are at a stage where the mandatory must itself be responsible for administration, under conditions guaranteeing prohibition of the slave trade, the arms traffic and the liquor traffic, prevention of military training of the natives for other than police purposes and of fortifications or military and naval bases, and equal opportunities for the trade and commerce of other League members (lines 49-145).
- Territories such as South-West Africa and certain South Pacific islands can be best administered under the laws of the mandatory state as integral portions of it, subject to the safeguards in the interests of the indigenous population (lines 49-145).
- In every case of mandate, the mandatory state renders an annual report to the League of Nations on the territory committed to its charge (lines 49-145).
- In Syria in 1919, the Report’s petition evidence shows the term was widely redefined by those petitioning: a mandate was generally defined to mean only economic and technical assistance, because of a widespread fear that the mandatory arrangement would be used to cloak colonial annexation; in the East district 975 petitions asked American “assistance” against 19 asking an American mandate outright, and the complete table’s American first choice of 1129 consists of 1064 for “assistance” and 57 for a mandate, with 8 more for a mandate if obligatory (lines 2137-2630, 2915-2945).
Related pages
Report of the American Section of the Inter-Allied Commission on Mandates in Turkey, League of Nations, King-Crane Commission, Self-determination