Washington Conference Establishing a Commission of Jurists to Consider Laws of War

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WWI Document Archive > Conventions and Treaties > Washington Conference Establishing a Commission of Jurists to Consider Laws of War


Washington, February 4, 1922


RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE ON THE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT (1922) ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION OF JURISTS TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT OF THE LAWS OF WAR

THE UNITED STATES of America, the British Empire, France, Italy and Japan have agreed:

I

That a Commission composed of not more than two members representing each of the above­mentioned Powers shall be constituted to consider the following questions:

(a ) Do existing rules of international law adequately cover new methods of attack or defense resulting from the introduction or development, since the Hague Conference of 1907, of new agencies of warfare?

(b) If not so, what changes in the existing rules ought to be adopted in consequence thereof as a part of the law of nations?

II

That notices of appointment of the members of the Commission shall, within three months after the adjournment of the present Conference, be transmitted to the Government of the United States of America, which after consultation with the Powers concerned will fix the day and place for the meeting of the Commission.

III

That the Commission shall be at liberty to request assistance and aid, from experts in international law and in land, naval and aerial warfare.

IV

That the Commission shall report its conclusions to each of the Powers represented in its membership.

Those Powers shall thereupon confer as to the acceptance of the report and the course to be followed to secure the consideration of its recommendations by the other civilized Powers.

RESOLUTION LIMITING THE JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION OF JURISTS

Resolved, That it is not the intention of the Powers agreeing to the appointment of a Commission to consider and report upon the rules of international law respecting new agencies of warfare that the Commission shall review or report upon the rules or declarations relating to submarines or to the use of noxious gases and chemicals already adopted by the Powers in this conference.


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