Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-02-20
Constitution for League of Ma
tons Read Before Conference
by President Wilson.
9 NATIONS TO GOVERN
United States, Great Britain, France,
Italy and Japan, With Four
Smaller States to Form Exc
cutive Council of Body.

Paris, Feb. l5.-As outlined in the
covenant read by President Wilson,
the executive council of the League of
Nations will consist of representatives
of the United States, Great Britain,
France, Italy, and Japan, together with
representatives of four other powers.
The council shall meet as often as
Is necessary, but at least once a year,
at whatever place may be designated.
Any matter within the sphere Of &C
ton of the league, Or affecting the
peace of the world, will be dealt with.
Wilson To Call First Meeting.
The President of the United States
shall summon the first meeting of the
body of delegates and the executive
council.
The league will have a secretariat
under the direction of a secretary gen.
eral, who shall appoint the other men,
bers.
The secretary general shall act in
that capacity at all meetings.
Requirements For Membership.
The representatives of the high
contracting parties and the officials
of the league shall have diplomatic
privileges and immunity. The build
ing occupied by the league or its Of
ticials shall enjoy eXtraterritorial
benefits.
The admission of states not sigma
tory to the covenant shall be with the
assent of not less than two-thirds of
the states represented In the body of
delegates and shall be limited to fully
selfgoverning countries.
No state shall be admitted unless it
Elves effective guarantees to observe
International obligations and unless it
hall conform to conditions prescribed
by the league in regard to it's naval
and military forces and armament.
To Protect Nations Attacked.
The high contracting parties under
take to respect and preserve the ter
ritorial integrity and political indie
pendence of all states members of the
league against external aggression.
In case of any such aggression or
any threat of danger of such agrees
sion, the executive council shall adj
wise upon the means by which the OBJ
legations of the members shall be full
filled.
Declared Constitutional.
The plan for the Society of Nations.
in the opinion Of American delegates,
is safe against attack on the ground
OF unconstitutionality. If it involves
an alliance requiring the use of Ameri-
can troops, in combination with those
OF other nations, against an offender
against the law OF nations, as laid
down by the conference, it is recalled
that there is precedent for such an al.
lance in a treaty between the United
States and France more than a cen.
fury ago. 1t is also pointed out by
authorities that power is reserved to
congress to carry out the pledge in it's
W way through it's control of appro.
prlatlons and war making power.
The senate, especially, has distinc.
tive powers in its right to approve or
dlsapprove treaties such as that which
is necessary to give life to the Society
OF Nations.
President Leaves For Home.
Preparations were completed for
the homeward voyage of the presiden
tial party, which left Paris for Brest
on a special train and will sail on the
liner George Washington, on which il
came to France. This time the party
is much reduced, the large staff OF
state department employees and numer
GUS experts, who came over with Mr.
Wilson, remaining in Paris.