Arizona republican., 1919-02-23
VEIL OF SECRECY
 IS LIT TED FROM LEAGUE SESSIONS
Meetings Simple, Business like, Direct-Work Ac- complished By 90 Men At Ten Gatherings In Eleven Days - Wilson Presided At All Save One.

PARIS. Feb. Flor the first time thc veil which has concealed the inner workings of the commission of tho peace conference, which prepared the plan of the league of nations, has been lifted. It now is possible 10 discuss at least some of the facts connected with the achievement by which 19 men iu 30 working hours wrought the plan which, if their expectations are real ized. is Co prevent future warfare.
 The scene was in room 35l of the Hotel de Grillon. Colonel Houses work shop. lt is a large and ornately dec orated chamber, such as is common to many Paris hotels. lt had been turned into a business office.
 Around a big red table sat the 90 members Of the commission and be- hind them were seated translators, secretaries and experts.
 lu this room the commission met ten times iu eleven days. The hours were irregular. as most of the commission CTS were obliged frequently to inter rlpt the special work Co attend meet ings of other commissions. No time Was set for the sessions or for the termination of the days work. Time was a secondary consideration and mo- body looked at the clock
 Interpreters at Hand
 At the outset the task was cut in half by dispensing with the tedious process of re-translatiOn. Instead, in- tcrpreters sat close behind the com missioncrs and in low tones translated The remarks Of the speakers, word by word. Much time also was saved by preparatory work. each statesman coming Co the conference with well formulated and definite ideas regard ing tho league of nations, as a result or many private conferences which had been held between them, from the time President Wilson landed in France.
 The meetings were businosslike to a degree. The members met on the hour, greeted each other politely. but shortly, took their documents out of their portfolios and proceeded imme- diately with the next article. Before each was revised. a copy of the pre- ceedlng days record, as well as all new papers relating Co the subjects likely to come before them, was distributed. The members proposing amendments had them typewritteu and they were handed Co their colleagues in advance to insure quick action.
 Extreme simplicity prevailed. Diplo- matte dress disappeared with the diplomacy of the mast Business suits were worn. The members went about the matter in a commonplace way There were no oratious. no spinning out of technical points. Plain speaking prevailed. Stenographic reports were barred to restrain oratory and to en- couarc the reticient
 Wilson Ever Present
 President Wilson presided at all meetings except one When some of hsa ~aI ts,Ns O he brought them back to the thing in hand with the remark:
 Gentlemen. I have no doubt thai thc next generation will be made up of men as intelligent as you or I. and VI, think we can trust the league to man, age its own affairs"
 The first meeting February i. wa, very brief. The president spoke few words and presented a draft Of tn, plan. which the commissioners agreed Co use as the basis of discussion.
 Day after day this was criticised anC amplified. and February r.. at th' eighth meeting the first reading wal completed.
 Though the project emerged un changed in principle. many amend ments were pending. A drafting com mttee attended Co this. and tn, American soldiers who set the typ corrected the proofs and ran the pres which turned out the final draft. vii treasure the letter of thanks which thu president sent to them before he sailed
 The final meeting February 13 hal a dramatic finish in its simplicity. Tn president was attending a meeting O the supreme council and Lord Rober Cecil presided over the commission The remaining articles were passe, upon. At 1:2S o'clock in the evening Lord Robert read the twenty sixth an' last article and quietly remarked:
 "ls there any objection to thi articleT
 He waited a moment and added:
 of not it is adopted. Gentlemen our work is done. The president of th
 nited States will report our conclu sion Co the plenary session of the con ference tomorr0v."
 The commission then left the room