Evening star., 1919-04-29
LEAGUE NATIONS
WILL MEETF|R
IN WASHINGTON
Mr.. Wilson Doubtless Will Be
Asked to Become First
President.
SESSIONS ARE POSSIBLE
SOME TIME THIS YEAR
Covenant Adopted Formally by
Peace Conference-French and
japanese Fail to Press for
Changes.
By the Associated Press.


By the Associated Press.
PARIS, April 2o.-It has been
virtually decided that the first
meeting of the league of ma
tions shall be held in Washing
ton next October. 1t is said
President Wilson doubtless will
be asked to become the first
president of the league.
Plans are being formulated for the
holding of this meeting, the initial
gathering to be in the east room of
the White House, under the presi-
dency of President Wilson.
Lord Robert Cecil and Col. E. NJ.
House and other representative men
Of various nations have discussed the
holding of the meeting in Washing
ton and found general approval OF
the plan among the delegates, so that
it has virtually been settled upon.
Confers With japanese.
Before the meeting of the council of
three this morning President Wilson
received Baron Maxine, head of the
Japanese mission, and Viscount
Chinda. his colleague. Their confer
ences lasted nearly an hour. Pre-
sumably the question of Kiao Chau
was under discussion.
M hA TIM Nf to
session received a committee from the
Belgian cabinet and gave 1t a hearing
the question of indemnitieS.
Baron Maxine and Viscount Chinda
remained with the council throughout
its session, which was a protracted one.
Revised Covenant Adopted.
PARIS, April 2s.-The covenant of
the league Of nations in revised form,
moved by President Wilson. was
adopted today the peace confer
The Presidents motion also named
Sir James Eric Drummond as secre-
tary general OF the league. and pro-
vided for committee to inaugurate
the league.
Thus one of the notable works of
the conference passes its final stage
and is Incorporated in the peace
treaty. The French and Japanese
amendments, after a brief discussion,
were not pressed. and the way was
thus cleared for unanimous accept
Italy was not represented at the
session, but the name of Italy ap-
pears as one of the members of the
league in the covenant as finally
adopted.
Nine labor principles were adopted
fa Ipo in, he
Kaiser Report Not Taken Up.
The session adjourned without con-
sidering the report on responsibilities
providing for the trial of the former
German emperor by five judges from
the great powers. This report was
handed in by the council of four and
embodfes in the peace treaty a pro-
vision for the former emperor's prose-
cuation. This. however. has not as
yet been adopted by the plenary con-
Paul Bymans, representing Belgium,
expressed the regret Of the Belgian
people at the selection of Geneva as
the seat of the league of nations, while
approving the high aims Of the league.
Leon Bourgeois, former premier,
spoke for France He renewed two
tending to give France
additional security. One provided for
the creation Of committee to ascer-
tain and exchange military and naval
programs, information regarding ar
maments and similar matters. The
other provided for "a permanent or
ganization for the purpose of consid-
ering and providing for naval and
military measures to enforce obliga-
tions arising for the high contracting
parties under the covenant, making it
Immediately operative in all cases Of
emergency"
President Recognized.
President Wilson was recognized
at the outset for detailed explana-
league. is His speech was Without
expianation Of the textnal Changes, @
most of which have already been
noted, and named Belgium. Brazil,
Greece and Spain on the league coun-
pare plans for the first meeting Of
Baron Maxine, head of the Japanese
delegation, in bEief speech, renewed
on racial equality. He said that the
race question was a standing. griev-
ance, which might become danger
GUS issue at any time; The Japanese
no declared, felt poignant regret that
the amendment had not been incor-
porated in the covenant. and an
nounced that an effort would be made
to have the principle of racial equal
ity adopted as part Of the document
NJ. Bourgeois argued that such Sc
curity was essential to France because
of the extended frontiers of that
country, which. as President Wilson
had declared in the French senate.
were the frontiers of the worlds lib
critics.
The amendments of M Bourgeois
however, were not pressed M. Gle
menceau then put the question, etc.
South Americas Stand.
The South American representatives
expressed approval at great length
before the covenant was adopfed
During this part of the afternoon a
distinct restlessness was noticeable
President Wilson walking over to a
friend, and Premier Lloyd George dis
appearing from the room.
When the decision was taken Pres;-
dent Wilson was surrounded by dele-
gates and friends, who congratulat ted
him on the constitution of the leapns
which he had steered past manv
quicksands.
Chairman Acevedo Of the Urueuavan
delegation said he saw in the league :,
great aid to the realization of Latin
American industrial and CONNIE rciaI
prosperity.
The text Of the labor principles for
insertion in the treaty was adopted
George Nicoll Barnes. British dele
Continued on Second Pdse.J