The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-02-21
Agreement Designed to Prevent
Future Wars Subscribed to by
Fourteen Governments.
Draft for World Pact Read by Presi.
dent Wilson Before PIensry Session
Of Paris Conference, Having
Been Unanimously Accepted.

son, as chairman of the commission |
on the league of nations, read and ex-
planned the following report:
''Preamble-In order to promote
international cooperation and to Sc
cure international peace and security
by the acceptance of obligations not
to resort to war, by the prescription Of
open, just and honorable relations be-
tween nations, by the firm establish
ment Of the understanding of interna-
tional law as the actual rule OF con
duct among governments and by the
maintenance of justice and scrupu-
lous respect for all treaty obligations
in the dealings of organized peoples
with one another, the powers signatOry
TO this covenant adopt this constitu-
ton of the league of nations:
Article THE action of the high
contracting parties under the terms of
this covenant shall be effected through
the instrumentality of a meeting of a
body OF delegates representing the
high contracting parties, of meetings
NJ more frequent intervals of an execu-
tive council and permanent interna-
tional secretariat to be established at
the seat of the league.
Regular Meetings Plan
article II-Meetings of the body of
delegates shall be held at stated in
tervals and from time TO time as oc-
casion may require for the purpose of
dealing with matters in the sphere of
action of the league. Meetings of the
bodies of delegates shall be held at the
seat of the league or at such other
place as may be found convenient, and
shall consist of representatives of the
high contracting parties, who shall
have one vote, but may have not more
than three representatives.
Article III-The executive council
shall consist of representatives of the
United States of America, the British
empire, France, Italy and Japan, to-
gether with representatives of four
other states, members of the league
The selection of these four states shall
be made by the body of delegates on
such principles and in such manner as
they think fit.
Pending the appointment of these
representatives of the other states
representatives shall be members OF
the executive council.
Meetings of the council shall be
held from time to time as occasion ma!
require, and at least once year a
whatever place may be decided on. o.
failing any such decision at the seat o
the league, and any matter within tn,
sphere of action of the league or af
fecting the peace of the world may b,
dealt with at such meetings.
Majority to Decide.
Invitations shall be sent to an,
power to attend a meeting of the coun
ell at which such matters directly AT
fecting its interests are to be diScusSe
and no decision taken at any meetin
will be binding on such powers unles
so invited.
article IV--AH matters of procedur
at meetings of the body of delegate
or the executive council, including tn
appointment of committees 10 invest
gate particular matters, shall be regI
lated by the body of delegates or tn
executive council. and may be decide
by majority OF. the states represente
at the meeting.
THE first meeting of the body
delegates and of the executive counc
shall be summoned by the President {
the United States of America.
Article V-The permanent seer
tariat of the league shall be estal
lished at O, which shall const
tute the seat of the league. The seer
tariat shall comprise such Secretarit
and staff as may be required undo
the general direction and control of
secretary general of the league, WI
shall be chosen by the executive coul
Gil; the secretariat shall be appointe
by the encouragement, subject
confirmation by the executive council
THE Secretary-g general shall act
that capacity at all meetings OF Il
body of delegates or of the eNecutiN
council.
Expense is Apportioned
THE expenses of the secretari;
shah he borne by the Statesmen
bers of the league, in accordance vii
apportionment of the expenses of Il
international bureau of the Univers
Postal union.
Article NI-Representatives of q
high contracting parties and of tho'
of the league. when engaged in q
business of the league, shall enJe
diplomatic privileges and immunit'
and the buildings occupied by q
league or its officials or by represe
tatives attending the meetings sha
enjoy the benefits of eNtra-territoria
ity.
Article NlE--AuInlSSluu ~ q
league of states not signatories TO Il
covenant and not named in the prot
col hereto as stated to be invited
adhere TO the covenant. requires q
assent of not less than two-thiris
the states represented i'm the body
delegates, and shall be limited 70 ful
self-governing countries, including d
minions and colonies.
hal hfA admitted 10 nj
league unless it is able to give enc
five guarantees OF its sincere int
ition to observe its International oh
cations ana unless Ii shall conform
each principle as may be prescribed
the league in regard TO its naval al
military forces and ornaments.
Article VIII--The high contractil
,parties recognize the principle that Z
a.nn,,,., l,f r,aare will renuire n