The Washington times., 1919-04-28

while compelling their endorsement of
the principles while charter members
are compelled to join hands in reser-
vations, all assuming equal obliga-
tions.
Article II to VII inclusive creates
the assembly, bringing the league into
/ operation and leaving the several
states to decide how their respective
delegations shall be composed. In ad-
| dition, they provide that decisions
must be unanimous excepting in GER
tain specified cases.
This is designed to protect the SOW
ereign states from being bound by
the legislation OF their fellows. The
assembly, which is the supreme or
gan Of the league, consists of repre-
sentatives of members of the league.
The council is much smaller, includ-
ing statesmen of all the great pow
ers and representatives of four 9TH
ers, who shall make recommends tions
on action that may be deemed neces-
sary. A meeting must be held at
least once a year for that purpose.
Articles VIII to XVII, inclusive, are
designed to secure limitation of ar.
maments. Furthermore, they provide
that no two states shall go to war
L.
Provision is made for machinery to
bring about a peaceful settlement and
concerted action for any breach Of
agreement is sanctioned
It is explained that the commits
SION voted down the French pro-
rosal for a League of Nations gen
Ial staff because it was felt that
an exchange of information would
satisfy all. If authority to make
inspections had been given it was
feared that resentment might re-
suit.
Defensive Alliances Allowed.
1t is emphasized that the mem
ters of the league must make their
own arrangements for self protec-
ton against force suddenly concen-
t~ated against them. Also, they
have the right to make defensive
alliances SO long as they arc purely
defensive.
Articles eighteen to twenty -one
provide that all treaties shall be
made public and shall be liable TO
revision at the instance OF the as
scmbly in accordance with the terms
OF the covenant.
All existing treaties must be regis !
tered with the league in order to be |
valid.
Officials declared that the exemp- !
tion of the Monroe doctrine, while just, !
did not carry with it any added power. |
II was agreed that this cannot y" in |
yoked to limit the action OF the league |
OF nations, which has worldwide !
jurisdiction.
Articles 30 to 25 cover the ordi-
nary peace time artivities Of the |
Ia frr
system of ruling colonies aud other
territories, which, for various reasons,
are incapable of self-government
Included in this section is provision
for the ameIioration OF working condi-
lions for men and women.
Article twenty-four en&arges the
sphere Of usefulness Of the secreta;
lat Of the league. 1t lays the founda
tion for building UP vast structure
for peaceful international co-opera
lion.
Article twenty-siX makes the adop
tion of amendments to the constitu
tion in the future comparatively easy.
Meets Objections.
It was generally agreed among the
members that the constitution as sub
mitted today, meets the majority %
objections heretofore raised in the
United States.
President Wilson is understood to
believe that the document as it now
stands will be indorsed by the AmeS-
lean Senate practically unanimously.
Throughout all the negotiations the
have contended that they
could not consent TO annexations at
the expense of small nations. Presi-
dent Wilson told representatives o. /
small powers that he intended TO
safeguard their interests today. This |.
sentiment was reiterated in Amer!
;an quarters coupled with the decIa-
ration that 1t could not be expected
that the United States would allow it,
self to be bound by secret treaties.