The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-20
RULES OF PROCEDURE
ADOPTED BY COUNCIL
Minor Nations to Be Heard
Upon Call.

-
BY he associated ryrss.
PARIS, Jan. 1e.--The machinery pre-
pared for the first session OF the Peace
Conference Saturday functioned SO per-
fectIy and smoothly that few persons
unacquainted with secretarial methods
in conducting such international gather
ings realized just what was being done
and what had been accomplished when
NJ. Clemenceau. permanent chairman OF
tho conference. abruptly announced the
adjournment OF the session.
In fact the conference not only effected
its organization but II actually embarked
upon the execution OF a most ambitious
programme In the adoption OF what off,
.cially is designated as the agenda which
I'm English means order OF business
Some Of the delegates themselves eX-
pressed surprise nj the precedence given
ON the programme to such subjects as
responsibility for tho war. and particu-
iarly at the prominence given interna-
tional labor problems. while such I'M
portant subjects as the league of ma
tons and freedom OF the seas did not
appear on the agenda.
VIII Not Delay Confederation.
II was pointed out to-day that the
absence OF these subjects from the pro-
gramme was not due either to oversight
or a desire to delay their consideration
and that no delay would result. Topics
on the order of business have been al
most automatically referred to various
delegations, which will report on them
as, soon as they are ready.
Meantime the Peace Conference itself
may concentrate its attention on other
questions, especially league OF nations,
which NJ. Clemenceau in his address said
would be first in order.
The method thus adopted is expected
TO advance rather than to delay action
on the most important questions.
The nations composing the supreme
council, according to the regulations. are
10 take part In all the sittings, while
the other nations are to be represented
only when questions In which they are
especially interested are discussed
The conference has solved the delicate
question OF etiquette In selecting four
vice-presidents, who are to preside In
turn in the absence OF NJ. Clemenceau.
Secretary OF State Lansing has been
chosen to act in this capacity for the
United States delegation, which will
leave President Wilson free to come and
60 at will on the floor OF the conference,
and, II was said to-day. even to leave
for the United States without sacrificing
ally 10 AHleTlCd.
Pending the call for the next session
Of the conference. which has been adj
1ourned without date, the Supreme Coun-
Gil viii meet tomorrow to continue work
on the programme. and. in execution OF
the promise OF NJ Clemenceau that the
question Of a league OF nations would
take first place II will endeavor to weld
together some of the projects which have
been under separate consideration by
different delegations. II II vs. Impossible
TO reduce them 20 one plan 1t is eX-
pected they will be classified and put into
compact form for consideration by tie
conference as early as possible
The American delegation will take the
initiative in this work. and tomorrow
will lay what may be called the Ameri-
can plan before the council II the coun-
Gil Is ready to take It up.
Rules of Procedure.
Following are the Peace Conference
regulations, which were made public OFF,
cially to-day:
Section 1.-The conference assem-
bled to fix the conditions OF peace,
first in the preliminaries of peace and
then in the definite treaty OF peace.
shall include the representatives OF the
heligerent allied and associated
Powers.
The beiigerent Powers with general
IS interests--the United states of Amer
lea, the British Empire. France. Italy
and Japan-shail take part In all
meetings and commissions.
The bellgent Powers with particular
interests-Belgium. Brazil. the British
dominions and India. China, Cuba,
Greece. Guatemala. Hsyti, Hedjaz,
Honduras, Liberia, Nicaragua. Pan
anna, Poland, Portugal. Rumania.
Serbia, Siam and the Czecho-Slovak
republic-shaIl take part in the sittings
at which questions concerning them are
discussed
The Powers in a state of diplomatic
rupture with the enemy Powers
BOLIVIA. Ecuador. Peru and Uruguay
shall take part in the sItt!ngs at which
questions concerning them are dis
cussed.
The neutral Powers and States in
process OF formation may be heard
either orally or In writing when sum-
moned by the Powers with general
interests at sittings devoted espe-
cisiiy 10 tine examination OF questions
directly concerning them, but only 10
far as these questions are concerned.
Basis of Representation.
Section 2--The Powers shall he rep
scented by pleuipotentiary delegates TO
the number OF five for the United
States Of America. the British En-
,,tr col.