The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-19
President Reads Text Of Pro-
posed Convenant of
Nations.
ALL IN AGREEMENT
AT FINAL ADOPTION
R Representatives of Fourteen Pow
ers Represented on Comnais-
sion Join in Returning Unani-
nous Report.

peace conference which opened at
$50 o'clock this afternoon when in
person he read the covenant establish
.ug g teague OF nations.
There was added interest in the
session Us it was the last gathering OF
the delegates prior to the presidents
departure as well as being the occa-
sion Of presenting the document with
which his name is identified.
The president was received with
military honors as he arrived at the
freign Office and the large crowds
which mad congregated gave him
cordial welcome as he passed through.
The delegates already were assembled
when the president entered the coun-
eli chamber.
When he entered the chamber the
president was greeted by Premier
Clemenceau, Foreign Secretary Bal
four and viscount Miner of Great
Britain and the American delegates
at the head Of the table. There was
little formality. Premier Clemenceau.
who is president Of the conference,
called the conference to order and
the president rose and addressed the
gathering.
"I have very great pleasure" said
President Wilson as he began" IN
presenting the report of the COM
1nittee which has framed the constl-
tuition of .. league of nations. I am
particularly happy to be able to say
it IS unanimous report, signed by
the representatives Of all the powers
on the committee"
President Wilson spoke earnestly,
but without oratorical effect.
"The best report I can make" the
president continued .sis~ to read the
document itself"
Thcrcupon he read from a printed
sheet the constitution Of the league.
while the assembly followed his read
ing with the closest attention.
While the president was reading.
sTrs. Wilson accompanied by the pres
idents naval aide. was escorted to
n place back Of the delegates table.
The reading continued for 35 min
utes without interruption or applause.
Ae ,,e closed the president laid aside
the document and spoke Of what had
been accomplished The delibera-
tons Of the commission had been
most instructive, and throughout the
proceedings there was an undertone
of enthusiasm in the great work be-
ing accomplished. he said.
The results, said President Wilson.
embodied the judgment Of Il nations
represented on the commission and
these il nations we're representative
erc',n Of the conference itself
This is a nar'on Of will in COM
mon PURPOSE" the president proceed
ed. at IS q union which can no: be
resisted and 7 dare say one which TO
nation will attempt 70 resist"
The president pointed out that the
document was nc straight Jacket"
It was elastic. and not a vehicle Of
might he said. It was yet to be de-
veloped. and as yet care should be
taken as to the clothes put on it.
While elastic yet It was definite.
1T IS definite" continued President
wilson. "as a guarantee Of peace. II
is definite as guarantee against
aggression. Il is definite against
of such cataclysm as has
iust shaken civilization!'
The president spoke with especial
emphasis as he referred to the wrongs
committed against helpless people.
There is one especially notable
feature Of this document" he said. !
Eve are done with anneXations Of
helpless people at times accomplish
ed in the past for the purpose of the
exploiting Of these peoples. In this
document We realize these helpless /
are first TO be helped I
ana developed and that their own in !
tcrest and we'll being shall come be- !
fore any material advantage to the :
n" ndatcry entrusted with their case.
TOO often in the past, the president I
added the world had seen the lands
of helpless communities appropriated .
for politica! purposes, "and So" he
aid. while this is a practical docu
ncnt. it is above all. human docu
ncnt. 1t is practical and at the same
ime it is designed to purify. to rec
ifv. to elevate
President Wilson closed his address
1t $50 o'clock. having read and
spoken just one hour. An interpreter
hen proceeded 20 render discourse
Which occupied another hour.
Lord Robert Cecil head Of the Brit 4
,l'itisf commission on the league Of
lations followed the interpreter in
n earnest speech. 1t was good
'mcn. said Lord Robert, that docu-
nent had been laid before the world
.efcre being finally enacted. SO that
eople everywhere could advise upon
nd critic;se it. The problem had
ecn one of great difficulty for it was
O preserve the peace Of the world
With the least possible interference
18th national sovereignty.
The results accomplished. he con-
inued embraces two main princi
lies: First-no nation shall go to {
;ar until every other means Of set '