New-York tribune., 1919-03-28
Covenant Speeded Up to
Meet Present Critical
Issues; Race Question
Also Is Left Out of 1t
u. S. May Present
Amendments Later
Members Can Withdraw
on Two Years Notice;
Mandatarics Optional

PARIS, March 27 (By The Associat-
ed Press). - Containing neither any
reference to the Monroe Doctrine nor
to the Japanese proposal for recogni-
tion of the racial equality of nations,
the draft of the covenant of the league
of nations to-day is in the hands of the
special drafting committee.
1t developed tonight that unex-
pected obstacles had arisen concern
ing the Monroe Doctrine amendment,
making it doubtful whether it can be
incorporated in the revised document.
The draft was completed Wednesday
night at a sitting of the full commits
sion, and the covenant is expected to
be ready in completed form early next
week. The two amendments around
which has centred the greatest in
terest and much divergence of opin-
ion, however, may be offered either
in the Council Of Ten of 20 the plen-
airy Peace Conference, to which the
covenant must go for final action.
Withdrawal After Two Years
The much discussed question as to
the possibility OF the withdrawal from
membership in the league Of nation
was settled by an amendment permit
ting withdrawal on two years' notice,
but not until such nation has filled
out its international obligations.
Article X of the covenant, to which
the Monroe Doctrine amendment woui,f
apply, stands in its original form.
President Wilson having reserved for
the present the amendment which had
been prepared as expressing the views
of the American delegation. 1t is now
explained that it was not the exact
text, but only the general form of the
amendment, which was given to the
press, and that hence criticism must
be withheld for the present
Careful soundings are being taken
to ascertain the reception that is
likely to be given this amendment by
other delegations. If unfriendly senti-
ment develops, or the pressing of other
and obnoxious amendments is threat.
ened as consequence of insistencs
upon the Monroe Doctrine, it is said
the amendment may be altogether
withheld
Not Wholly Encouraging
1t has been learned that thus far
the result of these inquiries has not
been wholly encouraging to the advo-
Gates of the amendment, but that they
will be continued until the attitude
of all the delegations is ascertained.
Since the first mention Of the desire
Of the japanese to obtain an amend
ment recognizing equality before the
law for all nationals of the league OF
nation states in other countries the
Japanese delegates have not pressed
their amendments before the commits
sion itself. They have, however, been
canvassing the delegations with vari-
Gus forms of such an amendment. en-
deavoring to find out the feeling tow
ard it.
Designed for Present Crisis
An important amendment adopted
last night provides for the creation of
a committee on organization of the
league, which is to be empowered to
proceed with arrangements for the as
sembly. securing the necessary build
ings and perfecting the secretariat
forces, all in advance of the ratifica-
tion of the treaty. But the acts of
this committee will be subject to tho
approval of the ratifying body.
The purpose is to speed up the be-
ginning of the workings of the great
league to meet the critical issues that
now daily are arising throughout the
world.
Another amendment gathers into one
section al of the seperate conventions
covenant such as those Relating to la
Dor, commerce and finace, so that these
are not made part of the treaty, but
that the countries signatory agree Co do
the things set forth therein. This
would leave the league only to execute
the terms of such conventions IA may
be agreed upon by the separate states.
No Compulsory Mandataries
Provision is to be made for similar
treatment of other conventions en-
other subjects, such as white slavery
and the opium traffic, which are likely
hereafter to be inserted in lno COW
enant.
The language of the mandatory ar
ticle has been changed so as to make
1t clear that no nation shall be obliged
to act as mandatory without its con-
sent.
Generally, the language of the whose
covenant has been clarified, particu~
larly Article !, to meet the charre Of
Nicholas Murray Butler. president az
Columbia University, New YORK. ~
ungrammatical language, and the