Texte : Mandates. Under the Mandates system, created after the World War, certain territories in the Near East, Africa and Oceania, with a total population of about 15.000.000 are administrated by various mandatory Powers in the name of the League of Nations and as a "sacred trust of civilization". The Mandatory Powers furnish to the Council an annual report on each of the mandated territories. These reports are examined and commented upon by the Permanent Mandates Commission. Mandates territories are divided into three categories : A, B, and C, according to their stage of development. / "A" mandates. These territories have reached a stage of development where their existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognised, subject to the rendering of administrative advice and assistance by the mandatory, until such time as they are able to stand alone. / "B" mandates. These Territories are at such a stage of development that the Mandatory Power must be responsible for the administration of the territory under certain specifie guarantees for the welfare of the natives, and for the interests of other countries. / "C" mandates. These Territories are to be administered under the laws of the Mandatory as integral portions of its territory, under similar guarantees for the welfare of the Natives.
Illustration : trois cartes légendées du Proche Orient (en mandat A), de l'Afrique (en mandat B et C), et de l'Océanie (en mandat C) ; portrait photographique en noir et blanc de V. Catastini (directeur de la section des Mandats).