The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-17
PLANS UNDER WAY
TO START LEAGUE
Wilson May Issue Call on
Peace Ratification.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16.+While no Of
fetal declaration can be made in ad-
vance of the action of the Senate ON the
treaty of Versailles, II was learned I'M
officially to-day that plans were being
laid for bringing the League of Nations
into existence almost Immediately upon
the publication in Paris of the ratifica-
ton of the treaty by Great Britain,
France. Italy and Germany. which will
put in into force.
Although the United States can not
participate in the initial stages of the
leagues work. It is understood that the
decision has been reached to have Presi-
dent Wilson issue call for the first
meeting of the council of the league
within the fifteen day period provided in
the treaty for the appointment by the
council of three members of the COM
mission which is to determine the boun-
6ary of the Saar Basin.
Article V. of the covenant provides
that decisions of the council Shall re-
quire the agreement of all of the men,
pers of the league represented at the
meeting" and 1t is held here that this
does not specifically require the attend
anCe of an American member to legalize
such decisions.
No less than fifteen commissions Gre
ated by the peace treaty appear to re-
quire American participation, and GER
tain plebiscites confirming title TO vari-
Gus disputed territories also are to be
conducted under a joint international
control. The present view of the officials
here, however, is that representatives of
Great Britain, France. Italy and possibly
Japan, whose ratification Of the treaty is
expected daily, will function in these
matters without any challenge of the
legality of the proceedings on account Of
the absence OF the American representa-
tives.
House Made Plans I'm London.
Plans for the Inauguration of the
league were discussed by Col e. NJ
House during his recent stay In England,
and he IL understood to have pursued
the work as far as he felt warranted in
advance of the action of the Senate on
the treaty. 1t also is understood that
quarters for the league seeretariat in
Geneva tentatively have been obtained.
and while in London Col House is be-
lieved to have arranged with the repre-
sentatives' Of other nations a tentative
programme for the first meeting of the
league.
If Col. Houses health permits he is
expected In Washington perhaps next
week, and it will then be in order to
frame the call for the first meeting of
the council OF the league, which Presi-
dent Wilson's physicians are expected
to permit him to sign.
In the view of officials here this first
meeting of the council must arrange
for the appointment of the various COM
missioners and the splebiscite described
in the treaty. but aside from that its
proceedings are expected to be rather
limited. Later on, II this initial stage
is safely passed and the Senate shall
have consented to the ratification of the
treaty the President will issue a call
for the first meeting of the assembly OF
the league, which will be in Washington
some time early next year
Under pressure from Washington and
with the approval OF the American dele
CATION in Paris, the participation of this
Government in the proceedings of the
Peace Conference in Paris is rapidly
nearing an end. Unless there are some
untoward developments officials here be-