Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-04-03
LEAGUE COVENANT
IS OVERHAULEO
Three Major Problems Undecld-
ed; Not Discussed.
MONROE DOCTRINE IS ONE
President Wilson Is Holding Back for
the Grand Flnaie--Japanese Have
Something Up Their Sleeves"
on Racial Equality Clause.

on HdCldl Equally CiaN9S'
Paris, March 28.--Though the league
of nations covenant now has been
completely overhauled and partly re-
cast, three major problems remain I'M
decided which have not even been dis
cussed al the redrnfting sessions OF
the league commission. The problems
are:
]. The Monroe doctrine, for which
President Wilson reserved safe
guarding amendment without actually
offering one.
?. The racial equality clause, which
the japanese stlll have CUP their
sleeves" but which they refrained from
offering at the commission meeting.
3. The French proposal for League
OF nations military staff, which would
prepare plans, and which, the French
hope, would act more quickly than the
league Itself In the event of another
invasion.
The revised covenant now is I'm the
hands OF a redrafting committee which
will incorporate the adopted changes
will incorporate the adopted changes
In suitable form. Thus modified the
draft viii be subject TO ratification by
the full commission.
Amendments, whether expressly re-
served or not, mny arise at any future
meeting, and the last chance to intro
duce changes win not come until the
covenant is submitted TO the ratlfica-
tion of an open pleDary session Of the
peace conference.
Concession to Opposition.
The greatest concession to the Amer
icnn Republican opposition is seen In
the insertion OF an absolute clause af-
firming that all members shall have
the right 10 withdraw from the league
whenever they consider this 60 serve
their respective national interests.
In the course OF the debate on this
clause, President Wilson told the com.
mittee that as far as the United States
was concerned. II would not withdraw
unless its reasons for Withdrawing
were sufficiently justified In the eyes
OF the entire civilized world. The rep
rescntntlves of the majority OF other
uutions made similar statements.
What President Wilson has In mind
with regard 10 the Monroe doctrine is
n mystery. Whatever amendment he
may Offer WIN not be introduced UNI
der thar name, because II Is regarded
as too indefinite and subject TO too
f1any uar3pI lptatf,patot4npu
Nor is II known exactly what the
Japanese win offer in connection with
the racedscrim!untlon question.
Here are the main decisions OF the
league commission which the redraft.
ing committee win embody In the COW
enant.
l. Women may hold any office I'm the
league. The proposal, made by Lord
Robert Cecil. was unanimously and en-.
Enthusiastically adopted without discus
sion.
,, Colonel House and Messrs Or
lnndo, SHUTS and Maxine were np.
pointed 90 select "capltnl" for the
league. II may be said In parenthesls
that Judging from the composition of
,his committee Geneva, Switzerland.
has the best chances 10 become the
seat of the league.
This committee win prepare the peg
on which the league may hang It's hat.
and wifi, indeed. give the league a
hahtatiou before II has been legally
ratified. II win select building and
even collect furniture and prepare sta
tionery and the physical machinery for
the leagues workings
Neutral for seeretary1
An important Job" IN the league
VIII be That Of secretary which means
an executive officer, Probably citi.
zen OF some neutral nation will be Sc
lected for this position. though no
names have yet been mentioned.
g. II will be definitely stated in the
covenant that no member nation can
be forced 10 take n mandate for one or
more colonies This was implied by
the original draft, but is now 10 be
specifically stated
4. A special group Of clauses win be
added referring 20 labor, commerce.
traffic In war material white slavery
rs and drugs, explicit conventions regard
ing which Will be left for future elab.
GRAFTON.
II IS perhaps worth mentioning that
nothing is said about prohibition.
8. Member nations desiring to with.
draw must give two years notice. This
IS designed 10 forestall possible wars
arising over the secession OF mem
bers
When the drafting committee has
finished It's work the new covenant
probably viii be published so e may
again be thoroughly discu rsea hy The