What responsibilities did the League of Nations Council have?

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Delegates in formal attire seated closely together at an international League of Nations conference, circa 1930. — League of Nations Delegates attending a League of Nations meeting, c. 1930.

The Council of the League of Nations served as a primary political organ, tasked with managing international stability and resolving disputes. Its core responsibilities included:

Political Dispute Resolution: The Council addressed major conflicts that threatened peace, as well as smaller issues arising from peace treaties or submitted by member states. This included managing frontier adjustments and disputes related to border incidents or the treatment of minorities.1
Administrative and Arbitral Duties: It held specific authority over areas of constant tension, such as the Saar territory and Danzig (now Gdańsk), where it was entrusted with administrative or arbitral decision-making.1
Oversight of Committees: The Council received and acted upon reports from various auxiliary bodies, including those focused on disarmament and the administration of mandated territories.1
Minority Protection: It maintained committees to oversee the protection of minorities, though these responsibilities were often noted as being disproportionate to the Council's actual enforcement powers.1

In its decision-making, the Council generally required unanimity, excluding the votes of parties directly involved in a dispute.1