What Would Be the Chief Responsibilities of the Economic and Social Council?

The Economic and Social Council, operating under the authority of the General Assembly, would have responsibility for:

(1) facilitating solutions of international economic, social, and other humanitarian problems;

(2) promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and

(3) making recommendations for the coordination of the activities of international organizations and agencies which may be brought into relationship with the Organization, such as the International Labor Organization, the projected United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the proposed International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and probably other specialized agencies in the field of education, cultural cooperation, health, etc.

As compared with the pre-war situation, it is envisaged that a much larger number of specialized economic, social, and other agencies would be created and would be brought into relationship with the new Organization on mutually agreeable terms.

How Would the Security Council Obtain the Military Forces That Might Be Needed in Maintaining Peace?

All member states would obligate themselves, by special agreements ratified according to their respective constitutional processes, to make available to the Security Council specified numbers and types of -armed forces, facilities, or other assistance, and to hold immediately available national air-force contingents to enable urgent military measures to be taken by the Organization. These agreements would be subject to the approval of the Security Council. The Security Council, in turn, could call upon some member states, or if necessary all of them, to make available all or part of the forces, facilities, or assistance thus agreed upon.

How Would the Security Council Employ Any Military Forces Made Available to It?

Armed forces placed at the disposal of the Security Council would operate under its authority in accordance with plans made by the Security Council with the assistance of the Military Staff Committee. Questions of the command of such forces would be worked out later: What Provisions Are Made for the Regulation of Armaments?

The Security Council would have responsibility for formulating plans for the establishment of a system of regulation of armaments

to be submitted to member states. The Military Staff Committee would advise the Security Council on questions relating to the regulation of armaments and to possible disarmament.

How Would the Establishment of the United Nations Organization Affect the Inter-American System or Other Regional Arrangements?

Any existing regional arrangements consistent with the purposes and principles of the Organization would be continued, and new arrangements of this sort could be created. The Security Council would encourage settlement of local disputes through such regional associations as the Inter-American System, either on the initiative of the states concerned or by reference from the Security Council. Inter-American agencies or other regional agencies might also be employed in enforcement action, if they are suitable for that purpose, but only with the authorization and under the supervision of the Security Council.

What Are Some of the Main Differences Between the Procedure in Launching the Proposed New Organization and the League of Nations?

(1) The four states which now bear the chief responsibility for bringing the war to a successful conclusion have committed themselves during the war to the establishment of a permanent general organization (Declaration of Moscow), whereas in 1918 no joint decision was made until after the close of hostilities;

(2) Representatives of these same four states have held preliminary conversations in advance of the general conference and have agreed on the Dumbarton Oaks Proposals as a joint plan to be publicly examined prior to being used as a basis of discussion at the general United Nations Conference. Before the Versailles Conference peoples and governments had no opportunity to submit their comments and suggestions on a specific official plan;

(3) The Charter of the United Nations Organization will be prepared at a United Nations Conference held independently of any peace conference;

(4) The Charter would be an independent instrument unlike the League Covenant which was drawn up at the general peace conference and was incorporated in the Treaty of Versailles and other peace treaties.

February 1, 1945.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1945