The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1919-02-20
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
CONSTITUTION
President Submits Text of Covenant
for Society of Nations to the
Peace Conference.

Paris. Feb. 1.-THE first world
constitution was made public this
afternoon, when President Wilson
read the draft of the League of Ma
tons organization before the general
peace congress.
While not containing a provision
ior any sort of international police
torce. the constitution includes strin-
gent measures designed to prevent
future wars.
The league will leave to each
power freedom of action under its
constitution to make declaration OF
war to support findings of the
league
Administration of the league shall
be i'll the hands of body of dele
gates. an executive council and a
permanent secretariat Each menu
Der nation shall have one vote III
the body OF delegates. which shall
meet at the league capitol at stated
intervals.
The executive council shall consist
OF representatives of the United
States. Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan. with four representatives
ot other states to be selected by the
body OF delegates. The secretarat
shall comprise secretary general
and a staff OF assistants to be select
ed by the executive council Presi-
dent Wilson will summon the first
meeting oi the body of delegates and
the executive council.
Nonmemhcr nations upon giving
guarantees OF their intention to OBJ
serve the leagues laws shall be ad-
mt,ed to membership upon a two
thirds vote OF the member nations.
Members arc required to submit
disputes To the executive council,
which may refer the problems TO an
international court Of justice. The
award will be made within six
months and the -disputants are
bound not to resort to war for a.
least three months after that. Ii 4
diSputant fails to accept the award
the executive council shall decide on
measures necessary to- enforce it,
These may take the form OF sever
ance OF diplomatic relations. an eco
nonnc blockade or use at armed
forces under direction of the execu-
1--WE council.
lii case oi dispute between a MEM
Der and nmcmber nation, the
latter shall be invited to assume the
obligation oi membership and sub
mt Ia the provisions for avcrting
war. with the alternative OF facing
the same measures as a disputant
nation.
The executive council shall formu-
late plans for reduction of arma-
mentS to the lowest point consistent
with national safety. Private manu-
tacture OF war material will be re-
\ permanent commission
shall be established to advise the
league ON military and naval ques-
IONS
German colonies in the Pacific and |
Africa shall be placed under protec-
toratc> OF nations best suited politi.
,ally and geographically to admins
ter them.
Certain former Turkish territories
shall be given the benefit OF protec-
CRATES on the basis of self -detcrmin-
ltion.
n permanent bureau of labor shall
ne established to secure and main
ain fair and humane conditions OF
abor in member nations and the
Countries with which they are asso-
lated commercially.
The league shall secure and main
ain freedom OF transit and equitable
treatment for the commerce of all
cations.
All previous obligations entered
n RI, Inv h.r |
With the laws of the league are alb
ogated. Future treaties must be
lied with an international bureau OF
treaties and given full pub
lcity.
Amendments to the league consti {
ntion are effective when ratified by I
he states represented ON the ex-
cutive council and three fourths OF {
he states represented in the body OF
elegateS.
The International police force or )
eneral staff urged by the French
nd put to vote yesterday after I
Don after Il stirring speech by SEN '
tor Bourgeois OF France was over {
'helmingly defeated Only the |
rench and Czecho-Sluvaks voted IL Il
lvor of it.
With this feature eliminated the ]
was adopted unanimous !
,. L
The constitution includes a pre- "
nhle and twenty-six articles. hav-I
& been increased from the original h
venty-two articles during yester- c
ly's session of the league commit )
e. II