Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-17
A World Magma Charta

righteous purpose duu 'oICiuo i!Oo1e
inspiration is born Of war and sacri.
fee.
1919. Presiden, Woodrow Wilson Of
the United States. as chairman Of the
commission on the League OF Nations,
read. for the first time. before the
the plenary session Of the Preliminary
Peace Conference. tn scheme
agreed upon by his committee to pre-
vent war.
The executive council Cf TIC pro-
posed league as outlined in the COW
enant. will consist Of rep esentatives
Of the United States. Great Britain,
France. Italy and Japan, with four
other unnamed nations raising the
nucleus to nine powers. The coun-
&. shall meet az often as is neces-
sary. but at least once year. at
whatever place may be designated.
Any matter within the sphere Of ac-
ton Of the league or affecting the
peace OF the world will be dealt
with. The Presiden. Of the United
States is to summon the first meet
ing Of the body Of delegates and the
Executive Council. There will be a
secretariat under the direction of
secretary general who shall appoint
the other members. The secretary
general shall act in that capacity at
all meetings. The representatives OF
the high contracting parties and the
diplomatic privileges and immunity.
The buildings, occupied by the league
or its officials shall enjoy extra-terri-
torial benefits. 49, admission Of
States not signatory to the c venant
shall be with tn, assent Of not less
than two-thirds of the :tates rep
resented in the body Of delegates and
shall be limited to fully self-govern.
ing countries. No State shall be
admitted unless it gives effective
guarantees to observe information
al obligations and unless it ST III
conform to conditions pr 1855 Il by
the league in regard to its naval
and military forces and ornament
The high contracting parties un-
dertake to respect and preserve the
territorial integrity and political n
dependence Of all States members Of
the league against external agrees
sion. In case Of any such aggression
or any threat or danger of such ag-
gression the Executive Council shall
advise upon the means by which the
80 obligations Of the members shall be
fulfilled. The high contracting part
les reserve the right to take any &C.
ton to safeguard the peace of ma
tons in the case Of war or threat
Of war, whether directly affecting
their interests or not in the case Of
disputes arising between them which
diplomacy cannot adjust. the high
contracting parties will not resort to
war without submitting to arbitra-
ton or to an inquiry by the Execu-
tive Council and until three months
after action by the arbitrator or the
Executive Council.
The executive council shall formu-
late plans for the establishment Of
permanent court Of international
justice. The covenant says that the
maintenance Of peace will require the
reduction Of ornaments to the low.
est point consistent with national
safety and the enforcement Of in
ternational obligations by common
action. The executive council shall
fix the extent OF ornaments and
these shall not be exceeded without
the permiss: N Of the council. It is
agreed that the private manufacture
Of munitions and implements Of war
''lends itself to grave objections"
The executive council is directed to
give advice on the abatement Of this
evil. The contracting parties UNDER
take not to conceal their ability to
produce munitions and ornaments
and agree on full interchange Of
information as to military and naval
nroerammes.
Article XVI. provides that il any
party break or disregard its coven-
ants under Article MI. which pro-
vidcs for arbitration or inquiry by
the Executive Council, it shall be
deemed to have committed an act
Of war against all the other mem.
bers who will take economic and fin
ancial measures against it. These
measures will refer both to members
Of the league and those who are not
members. In such case it will be
the duty OF the Executive Council
to recommend the amount of naval
and military forces which each
member Of the league shall contrib
ute to the armed forces necessary to
protect the covenants Of the league
Z.