The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-02-27

Text of League Plan as Drawn
Up by the Conference
at Paris.
AGREE ON CONCERTED ACTION
VIII Be Reduced to the Lowest Point
Consistent With National Safety
United States Executive 20
Call First Session.

Paris. Feb. 14.-President Wilson, as
chairman of the commission, read the
full draft of the league Of nations
covenant at a meeting Of the plenary
commission at the Quai d'Orsay. The
text follows:
COVENANT.
Preamble-In order to promote In
ternatfonaI cooperation and to secure
international peace and security by
the acceptance of obligations not to
resort to war, by the prescription of
open, just and honorable relations be-
tween nations, by the firm establish
ment of the understandings of inter
national law as the actual rule of
conduct among governments, and by
the maintenance of justice and scru-
pulous respect for all treaty obliga-
tons in the dealings Of organized
people with one another, the powers
signatory to this covenant adopt this
constitution Of the league of nations
ARTICLE I.
The action of the high contracting
parties under the terms OF this cove
nant shall be effected through the in
strumentality OF a meeting of a body
of delegates representing the high con-
tracing parties, Of meetings at more
frequent intervals of an executive
council, and of a permanent interna-
tional secretariat to be established at
the seat of the league.
ARTICLE %.
Meetings of the body of delegates
shall be held at stated intervals and
from time to time as occasion may re-
quire for the purpose of dealing with
matters within the sphere of action of
the league. Meetings of the body of
delegates shall be held at the seat of
the league or at such other places as
may be found convenient, and shall
consist of representatives of the high
contracting parties. Each of the high
contracting parties shall have one vote,
but may have not more than three
representatives.
ARTICLE III.
The executive council shall consist
of representatives of the United States
of America, the British empire,
France, Italy and Japan, together
with representatives of four other
states, members OF the league. The
selection of these four states shall be
made by the body Of delegates on such
principles and in such manner as they
think fit. Pending the appointment of
these representatives of the other
states, representatives of (blank left
for names) shall be members of the
executive council.
ARTICLE w.
The first meeting of the body CO
delegates and the executive council
shall be summoned by the President of
the United States of America.
ARTICLE v.
The permanent secretariat of the
league shall be established at (blank)
which shall constitute the seat of the
league. The secretariat shall COM
prise such secretaries and staff as may
be required, under the general direc-
ton and control Of a secretary general
of the league, who shall be chosen by
the executive council; the secretariat
shall be appointed by the secretary
general subject to confirmation by the
executive council.
ARTICLE vi.
Ol
ing parties and officials of the league
when engaged in the business of the
league shall enjoy diplomatic priv
tleges and immunities and the build
ings occupied by the league or its of
ficials or by representatives attending
its meetings shall enjoy the benefits of
extra territoriality.
ARTICLE VII.
Admission to the league of states
not signatories to the covenant and
not named in the protocol as states to
be invited to adhere to the covenant,
requires the assent OF not less than
two-thirds of the states represented in
the body of delegates, and shall be
limited to fully self-governing coun-
tries, including dOminiOns and colonies.
No state shall be admitted to the
league unless 1t is able to give effective
guarantees of its sincere intention to
observe its international obligations,
and unless it shall conform to such
principles as may be prescribed by the
league in regard to its naval and mill
league In regard to its naval and mill
tary forces and ornaments.
ARTICLE VIII.
The high contracting parties recog-
nize the principle that the mainte-
nance of peace will require the reduc-