The conference United Nations Conference on International Organization

entrance sign muir woods national monument

as president franklin delano roosevelt, supposed host conference, had died on 12 april 1945, delegates held commemorative ceremony on 19 may among tall redwood trees in muir woods national monument cathedral grove, dedication plaque placed in honor.

a steering committee, composed of heads of delegations, formed. committee decided on important matters relating principles , rules. although each country had 1 representative, membership detailed work. therefore, commissioned executive committee of 14 heads of delegation, submit recommendations steering committee.

the draft of united nations charter divided 4 sections, each of studied commission. first of these took on organization s purposes, principles, membership, secretariat , question of amendments charter. second considered loas functions of general assembly. third took on regards security council. fourth dealt assessment of draft statute of international court of justice. statute had been drafted team of legal experts 44 countries, meeting in washington in april 1945.

at conference, delegates reviewed , rewrote text agreed @ dumbarton oaks conference. delegations agreed on role regional organizations under umbrella of united nations. delineation of responsibilities of secretary general, creation of economic , social council , trusteeship council agreed.

the issue of veto power of permanent members of security council proved obstacle reach agreement on united nations charter. several countries feared if 1 of big 5 assumed behavior threatened peace, security council helpless intervene, whereas in case of conflict between 2 countries permanent members of council, proceed arbitrarily. therefore, wanted reduce scope of veto. great powers insisted provision vital, stressing fact united nations greater responsibility in maintaining world peace. finally, these countries gave way.

on 25 june, delegates met last time in plenary @ san francisco opera. session chaired lord halifax (head of british delegation). submitted final text of charter assembly, said: question solve our vote important thing can happen in our lives . therefore, proposed vote not show of hands, rather having in favor stand. in event, each of delegations stood , remained standing, did crowd gathered there. there standing ovation when lord halifax announced charter had been adopted unanimously.

president truman speaking @ conference

the next day, in auditorium of veterans memorial hall, delegates signed charter. china signed first, had been first victim of axis power. u.s. president harry s. truman in closing speech said:

the charter of united nations have signed solid structure upon can build better world. history honor it. between victory in europe , final victory, in destructive of wars, have won victory against war itself. . . . charter world can begin forward time when worthy human beings may permitted live decently free people.

then president truman pointed out charter work if peoples of world determined make work:

if fail use it, shall betray have died might meet here in freedom , safety create it. if seek use selfishly – advantage of 1 nation or small group of nations – shall equally guilty of betrayal.

the united nations did not instantly come being signing of charter, since in many countries charter had subjected parliamentary approval. had been agreed charter come effect when ratified governments of china, france, britain, soviet union, united states, , majority of other signatory countries; , when had notified united states department of state of ratifications. happened on 24 october 1945.