Imperial Valley press., 1919-02-14
COUNCIL 0F
NATIONS s
PROVIDED
by LEAGUE.
Covenant of the Proposed
League of Nations Pro-
vides for an international
Board.
(By Associated Press)

Paris, Fen. 14.-The covenant of
the proposed League of Nations read
today by President Wilson at plen-
ary session of the Peace Conference
provides for an executive council cons
sisting of representative from the
United States, Great Britain, France,
Italy and Japan, and four other states,
to be designated by the council. to
meet at least once year or as often
as necessary to deal with any matter
within the scope of the league or af-
fecting world peace.
The preamble says it purposes to
promote international cooperation; to
secure international peace and secur-
ity by acceptance of obligations and
not by resort to war; to promote
open, just and honorable relations bel
tween the nations and the firm estab-
lishment of understanding of inter-
national law as the actual rule of con-
duct among governments by mainte-
nance of justice and the scrupulous
respect of all treaty obligations.
The constitution provides that each
of the contracting parties shall have
one vote and that not more than
three representatives of the council
shall be empowered to invite the at
tendance of any power at meeting
at which matters directly affecting it
are to be discussed. A majority of
the delegates would decide the pro-
cedure at all meetings. ,a,,.
1t provides that President Wilson
shall summon the first meeting ); of,
the executive council, and establishes
a permanent seat for the league, but
the place is not indicated.
The council would appoint secre-
tary general. 2 .,
States not signatories to the cove
nant NAV be admitted by two-thirds
vote of the council. ~A
Membership is limited to full self
governing coutries.
Regarding the manufacture of mu-
nitions and implements of war, the
covenant says:
"The high contracting parties agree
that manufacture of war munitions by
private enterprise lends itself to grave,
objections and direct the executive
council to advise how the evil effects
attendant upon such private manufac-
ture can be prevented, due regard be-
ing paid to the necessities of those
facture themselves the articles neces-
saly for their safety
Tie covenant requires the contract
ing parties not to conceal cinditions
in their industries which are capable
of being adapted to war purposes or
the scale of their assessments.
The covenant would require the con-
tracing parties to undertake to re-
spect and preserve the territorial in
tegrity and existing political indepen-
dence of all states which are mem
bers of the league. The executive
council would be obliged to advise as
to the means of fulfilling obligations
in case of aggression or threat of ag-
gression.
The contracting parties agree not
to resort to war in any dispute with
out previously submitting the matters
involved to arbitration or inquiry by
the executive council.
1t will require an effective guaran-
tee of the members sincere intentions
to observe international obligations.
1t provides for reduction of arma-
ments to the lowest point consistent
with national safety, "having special
regard to the geographical situation
of each state"
The council will determine the ex-
tent of armament and will require
frank interchange of information IN
regard to military and naval p1p-
grams.
The league could act in any mat
ter threatening to disturb internatisn-
al peace.
Paris, Feb. 14.--The Bourgeois
proposition for an inter-Allied mill
|, tary force to enforce peace was de-
| feated by an overwhelming vote at
| the meeting of the Society of Ma
| tions Commission yesterday.
The French and Czecho-S -Slovaks
were the only representatives voting
| in the affirmative.
The japanese delegation present
| I'd an amendment providing that ra-
| cial discrimination should not be toll
Grated in immigration laws. Several
delegates urged that this would open
such large question that great de-
lay might ensue, and the matter WAS
dropped without a vote.