The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1919-05-01
PEACE COVENANT
TEXT MADE PUBLIC
: REVISED CONSTITUTION OF THE
LEAGUES OF NATIONS GOES
TO PLENARY SESSION.
Original Members Are All the Nations
Which Declared War on Germany
Recognition is Given the
Monroe Doctrine.

Washington.-The revised covenant
of the league of nations, as presented
at Paris to the peace conference In
plenary session, has been made public
by the state department. Its essential
features, already had been disclosed
through an official summary issued
two weeks ago.
Attached to the text, however, is the
hitherto unpublished annex" referred
to in the covenant, in which are named
the thirty-One states, including the
self-gOverning British dominions,
which are to be the original members
of the league Of nations and thirteen
states to be invited TO accede to the
covenant
The original members are all the
nations which declared war on Ger
many and in addition the new states
of Czecho-S lovakia and Poland. Those
invited to become members by acced-
ing TO the covenant are the three Scan
dinavian countries, The Netherlands
Switzerland. Spain and Persia, and the
American republics of Argentina.
and Venezuela. Mexico does not APP
pear in the list. Provision is made in
the covenant. however, for the addi-
ton to the league of any fully self
governing country which win give re-
quired guarantees, upon a twO-thirds
vote of the assembly.
Assembly Will Govern
10 -. 4.
enant provides that the league shall
act through an assembly, in which
each state shall have one vote and
not more than three delegates. and a
council, comprising for the present one
representative of each of the five
great powers and each of four other
powers to be selected from time 10
time by the assembly. Members of
each class represented on the council |
may be increased by unanimous con |
sent of the council and majority of |
the assembly.
The text provides that nothing In |
the covenant shall be deemed ito af- |
feet the validity of international en-
gagements such as treaties of arbI-
the Monroe doctrine for securing the
maintenance of peace" This was the
amendment for which President VIII
son made a successful fight at the
same time the japanese delegation to
the peace conference sought vainly TO
have a race equality provision inserted
In the covenant.
Withdrawal Clause Provided
Changes suggested, in criticisms in
the United States senate added pro-
visions for the withdrawal of mem
Der nation upon two years notice
after fulfillment of the league obliga-
tons, exempt domestic questions from
the leagues jurisdiction. provide that
over German colonies or
former Ottoman dominions shall be
given only to nations willing to accept
them. leave il TO member state 10 de-
eide what armed forces. II any. IL will
contribute 10 the force required by
the league TO enforce its mandates
and make Il clear that member states
will pass upon proposed
limitations upon their ornaments.
With notifications. the new draft
Includes all the provisions for the sub
mission to the council Of international
disputes. for inviting nOnmember na-
ions 10 accept the obligations of mem
Ders for the purpose Of adjusting dis
lutes and for breaking economic reIa-
ions or the use Of armed force in
leaIing with "A state which sas broken
he covenant.