Evening star., 1919-04-28


last night the text of the revised
Covenant of the league of nations. as
It will be presented today to the
plenary- session of the peace confer
ence in Paris. The text follows. with
pa renthetical insertions showing
changes made in the covenant as
Originally drafted and made public:
In order to promote international
co-operation and to achieve inter-
national peace and security, by the
acceptance of obligations not to
resort to war, by the prescription
of open, Just and honorable rela-
tions between nations, by the firm
eSta blishment of the understand
ings of international law as to ac-
tual rule of conduct among gov
ernments. and by the maintenance
of justice and a scrupulous respect
for all treaty obligations in the
dealings of organized peoples with
one another. the high contracting
parties agree to this covenant OF
the lea ague of nations.
In the original preamble the last
sentence read. adopt this consti-
tuition instead of agree to this
covenant
ARTICLE l.
The original members of the
league of nations shall be those of
the SignatOries which are named
in the annex to this covenant and
also such of those other states
named in the annex as shall accede
without reservation TO this cove
nant. Such acceSsionS shall be
effected by declaration deposited
with the Secretariat within two
months of the coming into force of
the covenant. Notice thereof shall
be sent to all other members of the
league
Any fully self governing state,
dominion or colony not named in
the annex may become member
OF the lea que of nations If its aumis-
sion is agreed 10 by two-thirds of
the assembly. provided that it shall
give effective guarantees of its sin
Cere intention to observe its interna-
fional obligations and shall accept
such regulations as may be pre-
Scrlbed by the league in regard to
Ats military and naval forces and
ornaments.
AEy raember of the league may.
slter two years notice of it's in
tcntion so to do, withdraw from
the league, provided that all its
international obligations and all
its obligations under this covenant
shall have been fulfilled at the time
of its withdrawal.
CThis article is new, embodying
with alterations and additions the
old Article VII. 1t provides more
specifically the method, of admitting
new members and adds the entirely
new paragraph providing for with
Grawal from the league. No men,
fion of withdrawal was made in the
original document)
ARTICLE II.
The action of the league under
this covenant shall be effected
through the instrumentality of an
assembly and of a council, with a
permanent seeretariat.
Originally this was a part of
Article l. 1t gives the name "as-
sembly'' to the gathering of repre-
sentatives of the members of the
league, formerly referred to merely
as the body of delegates."D
ARTICLE III.
The assembly shall consist of
representatives of the members of
the league.
+ The assembly shall meet at
stated intervals and from time to
time. as occasion may require, at
the seat of the league or at such
other place as may be decided upon
The assembly may deal at it's
meetings with any matter within
the sphere OF action of the league
or affecting the peace of the world.
At meetings of the assembly each
member of the league shall have
one vote and may have not more
than three representatives.
tThiS embodies parts of the origi-
nal Articles /, III and Ill with only
minor changes. II refers to '.mem-
bers of the league" where the term
high contracting parties origi- 81
nally was used. and this change is
followed throughout the revised
draft.)
f., ARTICLE ".
The council shall consist of
representatives of the United
States of America, of the British.
empire. of France, of Italy and of
Japan, together with representa-
tives of four other members of the
league. These four members of the
league shall be selected by the as
sembly from time to time in its
discretion Until the appointment
of the representatives of the four
members of the league first select
ed by the assembly, representatives
OF - shall be members of the
council.
With the approval of the ma
5ority of the assembly. the coun-
ell may name additional members
OF the league whose representa-
tives shall always be members of
the council; the council with like
approval may increase the number
OF members OF the league TO be Sc
lected by the assembly for repre-
senJation on the council.
The council shall meet from time
TO time as occasion may require
and at least once year at the
seat of the league. or at such other
place as may be decided upon.
The council may deal at it's meet
lnSs with any matter within the
sphere OF action of the league or
affecting the peace of the world
Any member. of the league not
represented on the council shall be
invited TO send a representative to
Sit member at any meeting of
the council during the considera-
ton OF matters specially affecting
the interests OF that member of the
league.
AT meetings OF the council. each
member OF the league represented
on the council shall have one vote,
and may have not more than one
represe
tThis embodies that part Of the
original Article III designating the
original members of the council
The paragraph providing for in
crease in the membership OF the
council is new)
ARTICLE V.
Except where otherwise express
ly provided in this covenant deci-
sions At any meeting of the assem-
bly, or Of the council shall require
the agreement of all the members
OF the league represented at the
meeting.
All matters of procedure at meet
tQKS OF the assembly N
council, the appointment of COM
mittees 10 Investigate particular
matters. shall be regulated by the
assembly or by the council and may
be decided by majority OF the
members of the league represented
at the meeting.
The first meeting of the assem-