New-York tribune., 1919-02-15

final vote, the conference, through its
commissions. is expected to prepare
a great mass of material relating to
the many subjects that will make up
the docket Of the society.
AS soon as the conference has relieved
itself of this burden, it is expected to
adjourn sine die. 1t has been said by
highly competent authority that the
date of adjournment would be about
June ].
In the opinion of the American dele
gates the league plan is safe against at
tack on the ground of unconstitution-
ality. If it should eventually involve
an alliance requiring the use of Amer-
can troops, in combination with those
of other nations, against an offender
against the law of nations, as laid
down by the conference, it is recalled
that there is precedent for such an alli-
ance in a treaty between the United
States and France more than a CEN
tury ago.
1t is also pointed out by authorities
here that power is reserved to Congress
to carry out the pledge in its own wav
through its control of appropriations
and warmaking power. The Senate
especially has distinctive powers in it's
right to approve or disapprove treaties
such as that which is necessary to give
lie 10 tne society OF nations.
No Farley Vote on
League at Present
The peace conference will not be
asked for the present to adopt the
league of nations covenant, which will
remain open for further consideration.
The friends Of the President are high
lly gratlfied that the main purpose has
been accomplished in FORMING the con-
stitution of the league before his re-
turn to America.
Thursday was one of the most event
ful days of the peace conference, and
the Presidents departure was for a
time IN the balance, pending agreement
on the league.
The President was not present when
the final result was reached, late in
the day. He had attended the morning
session, which passed only six articles,
leaving twenty uncompleted. The Pres
ldent then decided to attend the after
noon session of the Supreme War
Council, leaving Lord Robert Cecil to
preside over the league of nations COM
mission. 1t was under Lord Roberts
skill and guidance that the final ses-
SION achieved the completion of its
task at $3.50 o'clock Thursday night
Inc IlchnDcTS separated WIN an out
burst of good feeling and congratulate
ton after the period of tension
through which they had just passed
President Wilson went to American
headquarters last night and was con-
graduated heartily on the outcome Of
the league plan.
Official Statement on
The Society of Nations
The official statement issued last
night by the commission on society
of nations follows:
"The second reading of the draft
of the society of nations, which
began this morning under the chair
manship of President Wilson, was
continued this afternoon from $3.50
O'Clock until o'clock at the Hotel
de Crillon under the chairmanship
of Lord Robert Cecil
"Due to the spirit Of accord which
has continually been manifested
among members of the commission.
and in spite of some reservations
which have been made with regard
to certain articles by some Of the
members, The whole text of the
agreement, comprising twenty-six ar
tlcles, was adopted after protracted
and complete discussion which
brought out every conceivable point.
THE draft will be made public
when it is presented by President
wilson at plenary session at the
Quai d'Orsay at 1880 o'clock to-mor-
row afternoon -