FLASH REVISE CARDS - THE SECRETARIAT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. In organizing the Secretariat, Sir Eric James Drummond, the first secretary-general (1919–33), struck out on a completely new path. He and his French and U.S. deputies built up a strictly international institution in which it was understood from the first that all officials were to act independently from their own national authorities. If this ideal was not always realized, it is still true to say that it governed the attitude of the Secretariat as a whole and that the latter was rarely if ever accused of partiality on national grounds.

1. League of Nations – Mr. D’s History – St. Peter’s College, Auckland, New Zealand
THE SECRETARIAT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Secretariat and Stenographic Service, source: League of Nations Photo Archive
This was the Civil Service of the League of Nations.
The Secretariat carried out the day-to-day work of the League, under
the direction of the Secretary-General. It got papers ready for meetings,
kept records of meetings and prepared reports.
The three Secretaries-General were Sir Eric Drummond, 1919-1933;
Joseph Avenol, 1933-1940; and Sean Lester, 1940-1946. The Secretary-
General wrote annual reports on the work of the League.
It was based at Geneva, in Switzerland.
League of Nations Building in Geneva 1937-1946 (left); Court of Honour and Steps of the
League of Nations Assembly Building in Geneva (right).
In organizing the Secretariat, Sir Eric James Drummond, the first secretary-
general (1919–33), struck out on a completely new path. He and his French
and U.S. deputies built up a strictly international institution in which
it was understood from the first that all officials were to act
independently from their own national authorities.

2. League of Nations – Mr. D’s History – St. Peter’s College, Auckland, New Zealand
The Secretariat was rarely accused of partiality on national grounds.
Regarding its efficiency, the Secretariat early reached a high standard
and maintained it. Officials from many different countries were able to
work together.
The work of the Secretariat, and that of the League in general, was
throughout hampered by poverty.
The Palaise Wilson, headquarters of the League of Nations. Secretariat from the period
1920-1936 in Geneva
At each Assembly the League members, especially the richest ones, made
devoted efforts to cut down its expenditure to the bone.
The average annual budget for the League, the International Labour
Organization, and the permanent court combined was less than $5,500,00.
This covered not only running costs but also capital expenditure,
including the great Palais des Nations, which was completed in 1937.
The opponents of the League were able to establish the legend that it
was an expensive and extravagant institution.