Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-02

Ing hSuueOSC JOUEudl TepuOllSue9
the revised Covenant Of the League Of
Nations because SO many have be-
come deeply interested in the provis-
ions of the document itself. II is not
what any newspaper, any public
leader or any department or division
OF government is saying that should
form the opinion of the public, but
the words Of the Covenant itself.
Discussion has brought out the full
meaning Of the Is articles; argument
has clarified the meaning of various
points. Now let US deal directly
with the document and carefully note
the bunk that is offered by some who
apparently have not carefully stud
led the Covenant. Some Of our read
ers may have first draft Of the Cow
enant which has been amended to
meet the ablest criticisms. In the
draft herewith the changes are noted.
We hope many Journal readers will
keep this at hand and measure the
comments in the L. 8. Senate and
elsewhere with the articles Of the
Covenant, which follows:
Preamble
In order to promote International
cooperation and to achieve inter-
national peace and security, by the
acceptance Of obligations not to re-
sort to war. by the prescription of
open. just and honorable relations
between nations. by the firm estab-
iishment of the understandings Of
international law as to actual rule OF
conduct Gmong governments. and by
the maintenance of justice and a
scrupulous respect for all treaty OBJ
legations in the dealings of organized
peoples with one another the high
contracting parties agree to this COW
enant of the League of Nations.
EN- the original preamble the last
sentence read; Adopt this constitu-
ton instead of Agree to this COW
enant."D
Article I
The original members of the League
of Nations shall be those of the sign
atorieS which are named in the an
rex to this covenant and also such of
mex as shall accede without reserva-
ton to this covenant. Such Access
sicns shall be effected by a declara-
ton deposited with the Secretariat
within two months Of the coming into
force OF the covenant. Notice there
CT shall be sent to all other members
of the League.
ANY fully self governing state. do
minion or colony not named in the
annex may become a member of the
League if it's admission is agreed TO by
two thirds of the assembly. provided
that it shall give effective guaran-
tees of it's sincere intention to observe
lis international obligations and shall
accept such regulations as may be pre-
scribed by the League in regard to
its military and naval forces and
armGmentS.
Any member of the league may.
after two years notice of its inten-
ton so to do. withdraw from the
league. provided that all its inter-
national obligations and all its OBJ
legations under this covenant shall
have been fulfilled at the time of its
withdrawal
This article is new. embodying
with alterations and additions the old
article seven. 1t provides more spe-
officially the method of admitting new
members and adds the entirely new
paragraph providing for withdrawal
from the league. No mention OF
withdrawal was made in the original
documentD
Article u
The action of the league under this
covenant shall be effected through
the instrumentality of an assembly
and of a council with a permanent
secretariat.
Originally this was a part OF Arti-
Gle l. 1t gives the name assembly to
the gathering of reports OF the mem
bers of the league. formerly referred
to merely as the body of deiegates.p
Article III
The assembly shall consist Of rep
resentatives Of the members Of the
league.
TIA, assembly shall meet at stated
occasion may require. at the seat OF
the league, or at such other place as
may be decided upon.
The assembly may deal at its meet
ings with any matter within the
sphere of action of the league or az
fecting the peace Of the world.
At meetings Of the assembly each
member Of the league shall have one
vote. and ma. have not more than
three representatives.
fThis embodies parts of the original
Articles l. II and III with only minor
changes. 1t refers to members Of
the league where the term high
contracting parties originally was
used. and this change is followed
throughout the revised draft
Article ~
The council shall consist Of rep
resentatives of the United States
of America. of the British Empire,
of France, Of Italy and of Japan,
together with representatives OF
four other members Of the League.
These four members of the league
shall be selected by the asse mi bly,
from time to time in its discretion
Until the appointment of the repre-
sentatives of the four members OF
the league first selected by the as
sembly, representatives Of -
shall be members of the Council.
With the approval Of the major
ity of the Assembly, the Council
may name additional members OF
,be Jaapue whose representatives