The Ordway new era., 1919-02-21

Paris, Feb. 14.-President Wilson,
as chairman of the League of Ma
tions Commission, read the full draft
Of the covenants Of the league ut the
meeting of the commission Friday aft
ernoon, as follows:
TEXT OF LEAGUE COVENANT.
COVENANT:
"Preamble-In order to promote In
ternationai cooperation and to secure
International peace and security by the
acceptance of obligations not to resort
to war. by the prescription OF open.
Just and honorable relations between
nations. by the firm establishment OF
the understanding of International law
the actual rule of conduct among
governments and by the maintena1ee aIn, nee
all treaty obligations In the dealings
of organized peoples with one another,
adopt this constitution OF the League
of Nations:
ARTICLE 1.
"The action of the high contracting
nant shah be effected through the in
strumentality of n meeting of n body
of delegates representing the high con-
frequent Intervals OF an executive
council and a permanent international
secretariat to be established at the
ARTICLE H.
THE meeting of the body of dele
gates shall be held at stated Intervals
and froln time. to time, as occasion may
require, FOR the purpose of dealing
with matters within the sphere of ac-
tion of the league. The meeting of the
delegates shall be held at the seat of
the league, or at such other place as
may be found convenient, and shall
consist OF representatives of the high
contracting parties. Each OF the hlsh
but may have not more than three
representatives.
ARTICLE III.
THE executive council shall consist
of the representatives of the United
States OF America. the British empire.
France, Itaiy and Japan, together with
representatives of four other states
members of the league. The selection
of these four states shall be made by
the body of delegates on such princi-
pies ana in such manner as they think
fit. Pending appointment OF these rep
resentatives of other states, represen-
tatives of tblank) shall be members of
the executive council
Meetings of the council shall be
held from time to time as occasion may
require and at least once a year at
Whatever, place may be decided upon.
endeavoring to reach any set decision
at tn. seat of the league. Any matter
within the, sphere of action of the
league or affecting the peace of the
ings. Invitations shall be sent to any
power to attend meetings of the coun-
ell at which matters directly affecting
their interests are to be discussed and
no decision taken at any meeting will
be binding upon such powers unless
they are Invited.
ARTICLE ~.
"All matters of procedure at the
meeting OF the body OF delegates or ex-
ecutIve council, including the appoint
ment of committees to Investigate par
ticular matters. shall be regulated by
nj q fea mr. ha "a
council. The first meeting OF the body
of delegates and executive council
shall be summoned by the President of
the United States.
ARTICLE V.
THE permanent secretariat of the
league snail be eBtubiished at (blank),
which snail constitute the seat OF the
league. The secretariat shall comprise
sucn secretaries and staff as may be
required under the general direction
and control of a secretary general OF
the league, who shall be chosen by the
executive council; the secretariat shall
be appointed by the secretary general.
subject to confirmation by the execu-
1.-The secretary general shall act In
that capacity at all meetings OF the
body of the delegates or OF the execu-
tive council.
".rhe expenses of the secretariat
shall be borne by the states members
apportionment OF the expenses of the
international bureau OF the universal
postal union.
ARTICLE VI
Representatives of the high CON
tracing parties and of those of the
league, wnen engaged in the business
OF the league, snaii enjoy diplomatic
privileges and immunities and the
buildings occupied by the league or it's
Officials or by representatives attend
fits OF a-territoriality.
ARTICLE VII.
Admission to the league of states
not signatories to the covenants and
not named in the protocol hereto as
stated to be invited to adhere to the
covenant. requires 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. including dominions and
colonies.
No state shall be admitted to the
league unless 1t Is able to give effect
i've guarantees of its sincere Intention
to observe its international obligations
and unless 1t shall conform to each
principle AS may be prescribed by the
league In regard to its. naval and mill
tary forces and armaments
ARTICLE VIII.
"The high contracting parties recog-
nize the principle that the maintenance
of peace will require the reduction of
national armaments to the lowest point
consistent with national safety and the
enforcement by common action OF In
ternational obligation. having special
regard to the geographical situation
and circumstances Of each state: and
the executive council shall formulate
plans for effecting such reduction. The
executive council shall also determine
for the consideration and action of the
several governments what military
equipment and armament is fair and
reasonable In proportion to the scale
of forces laid down In the proEram of
disarmament. AID these limits when
adopted shall no. be exceeded without
the permission of the executive council.
THE high contracting parties agree
that the manufacture by provincial en-
torprise of munitions and Implements
of war lends Itself to grave objections
and direct the executive council to ad-
upon such mgnufacture can be prevent
ed, due regard being paid To the neces-
stiles OF those countries which are not
able to manufacture for themselves the
munitions and Implements of war nee
asuary for thsir nfety