Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-06
NO MENACE TO PLAN
OF NATIONS LEAGUE

Paris. Feb. (delayed) - BY A. P)--
Today's brief announcement from the
commission on the society OF nations to
the effect that the preamble and two
articles for the constitution OF the body
had been Professionally agreed upon was
not supplemented by any official outgiv-
| ing as to the nature of the three para
graphs in question. II being pointed out
that they were subject to amendment OF
complete substitution.
II is believed, however, that the pre-.
amble. in effect is a statement at great
er length of the declaration of the full
Peace Conference at its second session
This. in brief, was that 1t was essential
to a maintenance of the world settle.
ment that a society of nations should
be created 10 promote international CO.
operation, to insure the fulfillment OF IN.
ternatonal obligations and TO provide
safeguards against war.
The two articles mentioned probably
relate to the organization of the pro-
posed society. statn ng the qualifications
for membership in it, the place of meet
ing of the periodic sessions which mus,
be held, and the method of organiza-
ton of the executive and other directive
commissions.
This much of the commission worl;
has not been accomplished without much
discussion and objections by some menu
bers of the special commission to cer-
tain features. But with every dispo-
resenting the smaller nations every
point in which the vital object of the
plan was not in danger the majority
OF the commissioners are understood 10
have secured an agreement upon the
really fundamental points.
hint of how this has been accom-
plished Is seen in the official statement
that additional members are to be
taken into the commission. Later ad-
vices have indicated the probability that
besides gaining additional membership
on the commission. the smaller powers
will be given adequate representation
in the executive and legislative sections
of the society,"
The fact that there has been much
discussion at the sessions of the COM
mission has led to the belief in some
quarters that the success of the plan
was endangered. 1t may be stated
however. that in the opinion of the
men who are behind this project
such is not the case. published reports
that certain fundamental principles dear
to the American delegation have been
sacrificed are declared to be untrue. it
being explained that some of the fea-
lures described as discarded never were
included in the original American or
British plans.
Some very effective preparatory work
was done today by the higher moving
SDlTltS OF tIe league OF nations project.
Lord Robert Cecil and General Smuts.
representing Great Britain. both the
fathers of projects for the creation of a
society of nations, met in the rooms of
Colonel Il. NJ House with Premier Or
lando, of Italy, and DIR. Wellington Koo,
the Chinese delegate. The group spent
some time in going over the whole field
and devisins plans for meeting any at
tempts that might be made to impair, in
their opinion, the value of the originai
project.
1t is known that some amendments
are certain to be offered. but the leaders
of the movement are understood to be
confident that they will be able to hold
their, ground against any alterations
that may be, really Objectionable to
them.
The fact that Premier Lloyd George
expects to be absent from Paris for
about fortnight is construed as an
indication that he does not expect the
scheme for a society of nations to be
advanced to the point where 1t would be
ready for adoption by the Peace Con-
ference itself before the departure of
President Wilson for the United States.
If this impression Is correct. it Is said
that President Wilson may content him
self with taking back to America the
plan as 1t is expected to be agreed upon
by the special commission.