Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-02-21
President Reads Covenant OF The
Nations Society.

PRESIDENT wilson was the central figure
OF the plenary peace conference at $50
O'Clock last Friday in Paris. when in per-
son he read the covenant establishing a
League Of Nations, There was added in
terest in the session as it was the last
gathering Of the delegates prior to the
Presidents departure. as well as being the
occasion Of presenting the document with
which his name is identified.
The plan for the creation " the League
OF Nations will not be in condition to per-
nit action by the United States Senate
until the treaty Of peace is confirmed.
The Society Of Nations project and the
treaty Of peace to be framed will be inter-
dependent Many features Of the peace
treaty will require adjustment, or settle
ment, under the provisions Of the leagues
project. 90 that they will have to be sub
mitted to the Senate as a whole or in
combination. President Wilson. therefore.
during the few days he is in Washington
before his return to France. will devote
himself to a discussion of the leagues
project with members of the Senate and
House Committees on Foreign Affairs.
The desire is that public opinion in the
United States may be in condition to ex-
press itself definitely when the final stages
OF the peace settlement are reached and
the combined treaties presented for action.
1t is not expected there will be anything
in the nature Of vote in the peace con-
ference itself. even at the last stage, the
probable course being that those States
which care to do so will give their adhe-
sion to the project through notification to
the secretariat. AS soon as a sufficient
number has done 50 the Society of Nations
will come into being and begin to function.
The executive council Of the proposed
league Of nations, as outlined in the cove
nant read by President Wilson, will con-
sist Of representatives OF the United States.
Great Britain, France. Italy and Japan, to-
gether with representatives of four other
States.
The council shall meet as often as is
necessary, but at least once a year. at
whatever place may be designated. Any
matter within the sphere Of action Of the
league or affecting the peace of the world
will be dealt with.
The President Of the United States shall
summon the first meeting Of the body Of
the delegates and the executive council,
The league will have secretariat. under
the direction of secretary general. who
shall appoint the other members. The sec
Rotary general shall act in that capacity at
all meetings
The representatives Of the high contract
ing parties and the officials Of the league
shall have diplomatic privileges and i'm
munity. The building occupied by the
league or its officials shall enjoy extra
territorial benefits
The admission Of States not signatory to
the covenant shall be with the assent OF
not less than twO-thirds Of the States rep
resented in the body Of delegates and shall
be limited to fully self governing countries.
No State shall be admitted unless il
give effective guarantees to observe inter-
national obligations and unless il shall
conform to conditions prescribed by the
league in regard to its naval and military
forces and armament.
The high contracting parties undertake
to respect and preserve the territorial
integrity and political independence Of all
States members Of the league against ex-
tefnal aggression. ln case Of any such
aggression or any threat Of danger Of such
aggression the executive council shall adj
wise upon the means by which the oblisa-
tons Of the members shall be fulfilled.
The high contracting parties reserve the
right to take any action TO safeguard the
peace of nations in the case Of war or
threat Of war. In the case OF disputes
arising between them which diplomacy
cannot adjust. the high contracting par
ties will not resort to war without submit
ting TO arbitration or to an inquiry by the
executive council and until three months
after action by the arbiuators or the
executive council
The executive council shall formulate
plans for the establishment Of a perma-
nent Court Of international justice.
Concerning ornaments. the covenant
says that the maintenance Of peace will
require the reduction Of national arma-
ments TO the lowest point consistent with
national safety and the enforcement Of
international obligations by common &C.
tion, the geographical situation and cir
cumstances of the various States being
taken into account
The executive council shall fix the ex.
tent Of ornaments and these shall not be
exceeded without tho permission OF the
council.
1t is agreed that the private manufac-
ture Of munitions and implements Of wal
''lends itself to grave objections" The
executive council is directed to give advice
on the abatement Of this evil.
The contracting parties undertake moi
to conceal their ability to produce NUM-
tions and ornaments and agree on full
interchange of information as to military
and naval programs.
Article XVI provides that II any party
break or disregard its covenants under Ar.
ticle XII, which provides for arbitration OF
inquiry by the executive council. it shall
be deemed to have committed an act oil
war against all the other members. who will
take economic and financial measures
against it. These measures will refer both
to members Of the league and those who
are not members.
In such case it will be the duty OF the
executive councilto recommend the amount
of naval military forces which each mem.
Der Of the league shall contribute to the
armed forces necessary 10 protect the cove