French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon
Source: The American Journal of International Law, Vol. 17, No. 3, Supplement: Official
Documents (Jul., 1923), pp. 177-182
Published by: American Society of International Law
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2212963
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OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
177
FRENCH MANDATE FOR SYRIA AND THE LEBANON1
The CounciloftheLeagueofNations:
Whereasthe PrincipalAlliedPowershave agreedthat the territory
of
Syriaand the Lebanon,whichformerly
belongedto the TurkishEmpire
shall,withinsuchboundariesas maybe fixedby the said Powers,be entrustedto a Mandatorychargedwiththe dutyofrendering
administrative
adviceand assistanceto the population,
in accordancewiththe provisions
ofArticle22 (paragraph4) ofthe CovenantoftheLeague ofNations;and
Whereasthe PrincipalAlliedPowershave decidedthatthe mandatefor
theterritory
referred
to aboveshouldbe conferred
ontheGovernment
ofthe
FrenchRepublic,whichhas acceptedit; and
Whereasthe termsof this mandate,whichare definedin the articles
below,have also beenacceptedby theGovernment
oftheFrenchRepublic
and submitted
to the CounciloftheLeagueforapproval;and
Whereasthe Government
of the FrenchRepublichas undertakento
exercise
thismandateonbehalfoftheLeagueofNations,in conformity
with
thefollowing
provisions;
and
Whereasby the aforementioned
Article22 (paragraph8), it is provided
thatthedegreeofauthority,
controloradministration
to be exercised
bythe
nothavingbeenpreviously
Mandatory,
ofthe
agreeduponby themembers
League,shallbe explicitly
defined
by theCounciloftheLeagueofNations;
thesaid mandate,defines
Confirming
itstermsas follows:
ARTICLE
1
The Mandatoryshall frame,withina periodof threeyearsfromthe
comingintoforceofthismandate,an organiclawforSyriaandtheLebanon.
Thisorganiclaw shallbe framed
in agreement
withthenativeauthorities
and shalltakeintoaccounttherights,
interests,
and wishesofall thepopulation inhabitingthe said territory.The Mandatoryshall furtherenact
measuresto facilitate
ofSyriaandtheLebanon
theprogressive
development
as independent
states. Pendingthe comingintoeffect
ofthe organiclaw,
theGovernment
ofSyriaand theLebanonshallbe conducted
in accordance
withthespiritofthismandate.
The Mandatoryshall,as faras circumstances
permit,encouragelocal
autonomy.
ARTICLE
2
The Mandatorymay maintainits troopsin the said territory
forits
defence. It shallfurther
untilthe entryintoforceof the
be empowered,
organiclaw and the reestablishment
of publicsecurity,to organizesuch
local militiaas may be necessaryforthe defenceof the territory,
and to
oforder. These
employthismilitiafordefence
and alsoforthemaintenance
' LeagueofNationsOfficial
Aug.1922,p. 1013. See declarationgivingcondition
Journal,
of approvalof the mandatesforPalestineand Syria,infra,p. 193.
178
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
localforcesmayonlybe recruited
fromtheinhabitants
ofthesaid territory.
The said militiashallthereafter
be underthelocal authorities,
subjectto
the authority
and the controlwhichtheMandatoryshallretainoverthese
forces. It shallnotbe used forpurposesotherthanthoseabove specified
save withtheconsentoftheMandatory.
to the
NothingshallprecludeSyriaand the Lebanonfromcontributing
cost of the maintenance
of the forcesof the Mandatorystationedin the
territory.
The Mandatoryshall at all timespossessthe rightto makeuse of the
ports,railwaysand meansofcommunication
ofSyriaand theLebanonfor
thepassageofitstroopsand ofall materials,
suppliesand fuel.
3
The Mandatoryshall be entrustedwiththe exclusivecontrolof the
foreignrelationsof Syria and the Lebanon and withthe rightto issue
exequatursto theconsulsappointedby foreign
Powers. NationalsofSyria
and theLebanonlivingoutsidethelimitsoftheterritory
shallbe underthe
and consularprotection
diplomatic
oftheMandatory.
ARTICLE
ARTICLE
4
The Mandatoryshallbe responsible
forseeingthatno partoftheterritory
ofSyriaand theLebanonis cededorleasedorin anywayplacedunderthe
controlofa foreign
Power.
ARTICLE
5
The privilegesand immunities
of foreigners,
includingthe benefitsof
or
consularjurisdiction
and protection
as formerly
enjoyedby capitulation
usage in the OttomanEmpire,shall not be applicablein Syria and the
Lebanon. Foreignconsulartribunalsshall,however,continueto perform
theirdutiesuntilthecomingintoforceofthenewlegalorganization
provided
forinArticle6.
UnlessthePowerswhosenationalsenjoyedtheaforementioned
privileges
on August1, 1914,shall have previouslyrenouncedthe
and immunities
rightto theirreestablishment,
or shallhave agreedto theirnon-application
duringa specifiedperiod,theseprivileges
and immunities
shall at the expirationof the mandatebe immediately
reestablished
in theirentirety
or
withsuchmodifications
as mayhave beenagreeduponbetweenthePowers
concerned.
ARTICLE 6
The Mandatoryshallestablishin Syriaand theLebanona judicialsystem
whichshallassureto nativesas wellas to foreigners
a completeguarantee
oftheirrights.
Respectforthe personalstatusofthe variouspeoplesand fortheirreligiousinterestsshall be fullyguaranteed. In particular,
the controland
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
179
of Wakfsshall be exercisedin completeaccordancewith
administration
religious
lawandthedispositions
ofthefounders.
ARTICLE
7
ofspecialextradition
Pendingtheconclusion
theextradition
agreements,
treatiesat presentin forcebetweenforeign
Powersand theMandatoryshall
applywithin
theterritory
ofSyriaandtheLebanon.
ARTICLE
8
The Mandatoryshall ensureto all completefreedomof conscienceand
the freeexerciseof all formsof worshipwhichare consonantwithpublic
orderand morality.No discrimination
ofanykindshallbe madebetween
the inhabitantsof Syria and the Lebanonon the groundof differences
in
race,religionor language.
The Mandatoryshallencouragepublicinstruction,
whichshallbe given
themediumofthenativelanguagesin use in theterritory
ofSyria
through
andtheLebanon.
The rightofeach community
to maintainits ownschoolsfortheinstructionand educationofitsownmembers
initsownlanguage,whileconforming
to sucheducationalrequirements
ofa generalnatureas the administration
mayimpose,shallnotbe deniedorimpaired.
ARTICLE
9
The Mandatoryshallrefrain
fromall interference
in the administration
oftheCouncilsofmanagement
(Conseilsdefabrique)or in themanagement
of religiouscommunities
and sacredshrinesbelonging
to the variousreligions,theimmunity
ofwhichhasbeenexpressly
guaranteed.
ARTICLE 10
The supervision
exercisedby the Mandatoryoverthe religiousmissions
in Syriaand theLebanonshallbe limitedto themaintenance
ofpublicorder
and good government;
the activitiesof thesereligiousmissionsshallin no
norshalltheirmembers
way be restricted,
be subjectedto any restrictive
measureson the groundof nationality,
providedthat theiractivitiesare
tothedomainofreligion.
confined
The religiousmissionsmay also concernthemselves
witheducationand
relief,subjectto thegeneralrightofregulation
and controlby theMandatoryor ofthe local government,
in regardto education,publicinstruction
and charitable
relief.
ARTICLE 11
The Mandatoryshallsee thatthereis no discrimination
in Syriaor the
Lebanonagainstthe nationals,includingsocietiesand associations,
of any
oftheLeagueofNationsas comparedwithitsownnationals,
statemember
180
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
or withthenationalsofany otherforsocietiesand associations,
including
taxationor commerce,
theexerciseofproeignstatein mattersconcerning
or navigation,or in the treatment
of shipsor airfessionsor industries,
thereshallbe no discrimination
in Syriaor the Lebanon
craft. Similarly,
in ordestinedforanyofthesaidstates;thereshall
againstgoodsoriginating
underequitableconditions,
acrossthesaidterritory.
be freedom
oftransit,
or causeto be imposed
may
impose
Subjectto theabove,theMandatory
suchtaxesand customsdutiesas it mayconsider
by thelocal governments
actingunderits
necessary. The Mandatory,or the local governments
any specialcustoms
advice,may also concludeon groundsof contiguity
withan adjoiningcountry.
arrangements
The Mandatorymaytakeor causeto be taken,subjectto theprovisions
ofparagraph1 ofthisarticle,suchstepsas it maythinkbestto ensurethe
and to safeguard
ofthesaid territory
ofthenaturalresources
development
ofthelocalpopulation.
theinterests
Concessionsfor the developmentof these naturalresourcesshall be
of nationalitybetweenthe nationalsof all
grantedwithoutdistinction
thattheydo not
League
ofNations,buton condition
ofthe
statesmembers
infringe
upon the authorityof the local government.Concessionsin the
shallnotbe granted. This clauseshallin no
natureofa generalmonopoly
ofa purelyfiscal
to createmonopolies
Mandatory
waylimittherightofthe
and with
the
Lebanon,
Syria
and
of
of
the
territory
interest
in
the
character
appear
would
which
resources
the
fiscal
territory
a viewto assuringto the
bestadaptedto thelocalneeds,or,in certaincases,witha viewto developing
an organization
by thestateorthrough
eitherdirectly
thenaturalresources
or indirectly
either
not
involve
underits control,providedthatthisdoes
of
favor
the
in
ofthenaturalresources
thecreationofa monopoly
directly
which
treatment
Mandatoryor its nationals,norinvolveany preferential
equaland industrial
commercial
wouldbe incompatible
withtheeconomic,
above.
ityguaranteed
ARTICLE 12
The Mandatoryshalladhere,on behalfofSyriaand theLebanon,to any
alreadyexisting,or whichmay be conagreements
generalinternational
withtheapprovalofthe League ofNations,in respectof
cludedhereafter
in armsand
in drugs,the traffic
the slave trade,the traffic
the following:
commercialequality,freedomof transitand navigation,
ammunition,
and measor wirelesscommunications,
aerialnavigation,
postal,telegraphic
artorindustries.
ofliterature,
uresfortheprotection
13
The Mandatoryshall securethe adhesionof Syriaand the Lebanon,so
far as social,religiousand otherconditionspermit,to such measuresof
commonutilityas maybe adoptedby theLeagueofNationsforpreventing
diseasesofanimalsandplants.
and combating
disease,including
ARTICLE
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
181
ARTICLE 14
The Mandatoryshalldrawup and put intoforcewithintwelvemonths
proviwiththe following
in conformity
fromthisdate a law ofantiquities
in thematterofexcavasions. Thislaw shallensureequalityoftreatment
researchto the nationalsof all statesmembersof
tionsand archieological
theLeagueofNations.
or any productof human
(1) "Antiquity"means any construction
A.D.
1700
year
the
than
activityearlier
ofantiquitiesshallproceedby encourage(2) The law fortheprotection
mentratherthanbythreat.
an antiquitywithoutbeingfurnished
Anypersonwho,havingdiscovered
to in paragraph5, reportsthe same to an
referred
withthe authorization
shall be rewardedaccordingto the
of the competentdepartment,
official
valueofthediscovery.
department,
maybe disposedofexceptto thecompetent
(3) No antiquity
ofanysuchantiquity.
theacquisition
renounces
unlessthisdepartment
No antiquitymayleave the countrywithoutan exportlicencefromthe
saiddepartment.
destroysor damagesan
or negligently
(4) Any personwho maliciously
antiquityshallbe liableto a penaltyto be fixed.
(5) No clearingof groundor diggingwiththe object of findingantiquities
by
underpenaltyof fine,exceptto personsauthorized
shallbe permitted,
department.
thecompetent
or pertemporary
(6) Equitabletermsshall be fixedforexpropriation,
interest.
manent,of lands whichmightbe of historicalor archaeological
to excavateshallonlybe grantedto personswhoshow
(7) Authorization
experience. The Mandatoryshall
sufficient
guaranteesof archaeological
act
insucha wayas to excludescholars
authorizations,
these
not,ingranting
of any nation withoutgood grounds.
(8) The proceeds of excavations may be divided between the excavator
and the competentdepartmentin a proportionfixedby that department.
reasons,theexcavatorshallreceive
forscientific
If divisionseemsimpossible
in lieu ofa partofthefind.
a fairindemnity
ARTICLE
15
Upon the cominginto forceof the organiclaw referredto in Article1, an
arrangementshall be made between the Mandatory and the local governby thelatterofall expensesincurredby the Mandamentsforreimbursement
tory in organizing the administration,developing local resources, and
carryingout permanentpublicworks,of whichthe countryretainsthe
to the Councilof the
shallbe communicated
benefit. Such arrangement
LeagueofNations.
182
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
16
languagesofSyriaandtheLebanon.
FrenchandArabicshallbe theofficial
ARTICLE
17
The Mandatoryshallmaketo the Councilofthe League of Nationsan
of the Councilas to the measurestaken
annualreportto the satisfaction
ofthismandate. Copiesofall
duringtheyearto carryout the provisions
duringthe yearshallbe attachedto the
promulgated
laws and regulations
said report.
ARTICLE 18
The consentofthe CounciloftheLeague ofNationsis requiredforany
ofthetermsofthismandate.
modification
ARTICLE
ARTICLE 19
ofthemandate,theCounciloftheLeagueofNations
On thetermination
by the
to safeguardforthe futurethe fulfillment
shall use its influence
including
obligations,
ofSyriaand theLebanonofthefinancial
Government
ofSyria
assumedby the administration
regularly
pensionsand allowances,
or oftheLebanonduringthe periodofthemandate.
20
shouldarisebetween
The Mandatoryagreesthatifanydisputewhatever
to the
relating
of
Nations
the
League
of
theMandatoryand anothermember
such
of
the
mandate,
or the applicationof the provisions
interpretation
the
to
submitted
be
shall
dispute,if it cannotbe settledby negotiation,
the
14
of
for
Article
by
CourtofInternational
Justiceprovided
Permanent
CovenantoftheLeagueofNations.
shallbe depositedin originalin the archivesof
The presentinstrument
by the Secrecopiesshallbe forwarded
theLeagueofNationsand certified
oftheLeague.
oftheLeagueofNationsto all members
tary-General
day of July,one thousandnine
Done at Londonon the twenty-fourth
hundredand twenty-two.
ARTICLE
BRITISH
MANDATE
FOR
TOGOLAND
1
The CounciloftheLeagueofNations:
Whereas,by Article119 ofthe treatyof peace withGermanysignedat
Versailleson June28, 1919,Germanyrenouncedin favorof the Principal
Alliedand AssociatedPowersall her rightsover her overseapossessions,
Togoland;and
therein
including
Whereasthe PrincipalAlliedand AssociatedPowers agreedthat the
1LeagueofNationsw
OfficalJournal,Aug. 1922,p. 880.