New-York tribune., 1919-02-07
Task Of Drafting
Society of Nations
Third Completed

AHNiN' rep. o.--l ne society OF Ma
tions commission of the peace con-
ference has virtually covered one-third
of its task, it. was officially announced
this afternoon.
Agreement, the statement adds, has
been reached on the principles under
lying the whole draft for a society of
nations.
At its session the commission dis
ccussed articles dealing with the mo-
tlves behind the formation of a So
clety. the objects which will safe
guard the constitution of it's chief or
gans and the qualifications for mem
bership.
Nght Session Held
Last nights session of the commits
sion lasted from $3.50 until after n
O'Clock, the chief point discussed being
the constitution Of the execute bodv
OF the society. of nations. Wishing to
meet the opposition of small countries
"nich nave resented their having been
excluded from the executive body. Eng
land proposed to give five representa-
tlves, all together, to the five great
powers and two representatives for
smaller countries, making the member
snip seven in ALL
Premier Orlando of Italy approved
the BRITISH suggestion, saying that he
considered it would give fair represen-
tatlon to all countries, but Leon Bour-
geols, speaking for France, opposed the
plan. pointing out that the nineteen
small. oeillgerents were entitled to
larger representation. He found sup
port Tor his assertion. England also
suggested formula which would per
hl' ner domlnions to be represented
on the executive body.
Subject to Substitution
Yesterdays brief formal anrorro
ment from the Commission on the c.
clety OF Nations to the effect that tho
preamble and two articles for tha con o,o
stltutlon of the body had been MO-
Vislonally. agreed upon was not s,n-
plemented by any official outgivinp a.
70 the nature of the three nara.
graphs IN question, it being pointed
oue .hat they were subject to amend
lHent 1; or complete substitution in the
tafi afins VI sucn action as might be
TAKEN upon the remainder of tho
plan. VI .he
1t is believed, however that tbe
preamble in effect is statement 81
greater length of the declaration of
the 1ull peace conference at it's ser.
ono session. This, in brief, was that
~ was essential to maintenance of
tne world settlement that a society
vi nations should be created to pro-
sure the fulfilmcnt Of internationa1
obligations and to provide safeguards
against war. ""- uo
5! me TWO articles mentioned, if the
ordinary course of drafting such inter.
nStlonal pacts is being followed. nroh-
aoly relase to the organization Of the
proposed society, stating the oualif;-
caVions Tor mem bership in it, the place
OF meeting of the periodic sessions
wn'ch must be held, and the method
OF organization CT the executive md
other directive commissions.
Plan Not Endangered
IhIs much Of the commissions work
nas NOT been accomplished without
mucn discussion and objections by
some members Of the special com,n;a.
sion, it appears. to certain features ~
the plan which formed the basis for
tne agreement. But with every dix.
position to concede to the obiectors
representing the smaller nations evern
point in which the vital object of ~
pan was not in danger. the majority
OF inc commissioners are under rstood
10 nave secured an agreement upon
e"1 AS"f'y FUNDAMENTAL points that
came up in the process Of con,ideras
ton. A hint OF how this has been
accomplished is seen In the official
statement that additional members aro
to be taken into the commission.
The fact that there has been much
dlscussion at the sessions Of the com.
mission has led to the belief in GONE
quarters that the success Of the nlan
was endangered. II may be stated.
however, that in the opinion Of the
men who are behind this project that
such is not the case. Published re-.
ports that certain fundamental prjn.
ciples dear to the American deieea.
ton have been sacfihced are declared
TO be untrue. It being explained that
some OF the features described as Dis
eardsd never were included in tho
original American or British plans,
II Is trre. however. that the feature
instanced we're parts OF other plans
which had been urged by patriotic
*ssociations and had been supposed
to have met with official acceptance.
In anticipation Of the disposition OF
the special commission to make even
r.