dodis.ch/44392

La Légation britannique à Berne à la Division des Affaires étrangères du Département politique12

AIDE-MÉMOIRE

His Majesty’s Government consider that a declaration by Switzerland of accession to the League of Nations would be valid if based on the decision of the Swiss Federal Parliament and made in accordance with Article 1 of the Covenant. From the date of such declaration, Switzerland would become an original member of the League, securing the advantages and undertaking to obligations involved by membership.

His Majesty’s Government regard as a matter of domestic concern the measures which the Swiss Constitution stipulates as to the confirmation of the Federal Parliament’s decision by vote of the Swiss people. No question will of course arise if the declaration is confirmed by such vote; but should the vote be contrary, the Council would have to consider the question whether or not Switzerland’s immediate withdrawal from the League were possible without the two years’ notice required by the last paragraph of Article 1. It might, therefore, His Majesty’s Government suggests, be prudent for the Swiss Government, simultaneously with their declaration of accession, to state that the Swiss constitution requires ratification of the declaration by Swiss popular vote, and that this vote will be taken as soon as possible. Such a statement, His Majesty’s Government are advised, would not constitute a reservation under Article 1. His Majesty’s Government would, if Switzerland accedes to the League, not support any proposal for substituting Brussels for Geneva, as permanent seat of the League. They are not, however, aware of any proposal to this effect.