The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-02-18
TEXT OF THE DRAFT OF COVENANT
OF PROPOSED LEAGUE OF NATIONS

CT 'hS @uai - oiSdy, TIeSlueHt VIII
son, as chairman of the commission
on the league of nations, read and
explained the following report:
Covenant.
Preamble: In order to promote
international cooperation and to Sc.
cure international peace and secu-
rity by the acceptance of obligations
not to resort to war, by the pre-
scription Of open. just and honora-
bic relations between nations, by the
firm establishment OF the under
standings Of International law as the
actual rule OF conduct among gov
ernments, and by the maintenance
and justice and a scrupulous respect
for all treaty obligations in the deal
ings of organized people with one
another, the powers signatory to this
covenant adopt this constitution OF
the league Of nations:
Article L.
"The action OF the high contract
ing parties under the terms of this
the instrumentality OF meeting OF a
body Of delegates representing the
high contracting parties, OF meet
ings at more frequent intervals OF
an executive council, and of a per-
mamnent international secretaries to
be established at the seat Of the
league.
Article 2.
Meetings OF the body Of delegates
shall be held at stated intervals and
from time to time as occasion may
require for the purpose OF dealing
with matters within the sphere OF &C.
tion Of the league. Meetings OF the
body OF delegates shall be held at
the seat of the league or at such
other places as may be found con-
venient and shall consist OF represen-
tatives OF the high contracting par
ties.
Each OF the high contracting par
ties shall have one vote but may
have not more than three represen-
tatives.
Article 3.
THE executive council shall con-
sist OF representatives OF the United
States OF America. the British en-.
pire, France, Italy and Japan, to-
gether with representatives OF four
other states, members OF the league
The selection OF these four states
shall be made by the body of dele
gates on such principles and in such
manner as they think At. Pending
the appointment OF these represen-
tatives OF the other states, repre-
sentatives OF (blank left for names)
shall, he members OF the executive
council.
Meetings OF the council shall be
held from time to time as occasion
may REQUIRE ard at least once a year
at whatever place may be decided
on, or failing any such decision. at
the seat Of the league, and any mat
ter within the sphere OF action of the
league or affecting the peace OF the
world may be dealt with at such
meetings.
Invitations shall be sent to any
power to attend a meeting OF the
council at which such matters d.
rectly affecting its interests are to
be discussed and no decision taken
at any meeting will be binding on
such powers unless so invited.
Article 4.
"All matters OF procedure at
meetings OF the body OF delegates or
the executive council including the
appointment OF committees to in.
vestigate particular matters shall be
regulated by the body OF delegates
or the executive council and may be
decided bv a majority OF the states
represented at the meeting.
'The first meeting OF the body OF
delegates and the executive council
shall be summoned by the Presi-
dent OF the United States OF Ameri-
ca.
Article X.
The permanent secretari of the
league shall he established at
fblankl which shall constitute the
seat Of the league. The secretariat
shall comprise such secretaries and
stan as may he REQUIRED under the
general direction and control OF a
secretary general OF the leaeue who
shall be chosen by the executive
council the secretariat shau be ap-
pointed by the secretary general sinh