The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-02-06
FULL DRAFT OF
PEACE LEAGUE
is SUBMITTED
Commission Studies Two of the
Plans; One Fought by
Small Nations.
WILSON PRESIDES OVER BODY
American Idea Largely Rules Favored
Plan, Which Is Democratic, and
Would Be Legislative-Second
Would Consist of an
Executive Body.

EXECUTIVE Douys
Paris Feb. 5.-President Wilson pre-
sided over the commission of the So
ciety of Nations. which had before II
the completed project for constituting
the league, discussing it article by
article.
While there is no authoritative In
formation on details of the project
distribution os printed drafts among
the members has disclosed the main
features, and these can be summar
lied as follows:
Two main plans have been pre-
sented, which the members Of the
commission regard as embodying the
American views, though both plans
are composite, containing the best fea.
lures from various sources, American
British, French and Italian.
First Plan Democratic.
Both plans are being considered to
gether. IN its original form the first
plan is generally regarded as more
democratic and more acceptable to the
small powers, whereas the revised plan
eliminates them from the executive
branch of the proposed organization
Of an international supreme council
! with a fundamental basis of codified
international law.
The first plan had three main fea
lures:
First-A legislative branch, on which
the great and small nations were
equally represented. each as a unit
Second-An executive branch con
sisting of two members from each OF
the great powers, United States, Great
Britain, France. Italy and Japan, and
line members chosen from the small
powers. This gave the executive body
total membership of nineteen, OF
wnom ten represented the great pow
ers, and nine represented the small
powers.
Third-Arbitratio was provided foa
the determination of international is,
sues. In case of a dispute between
two nations, each nation named ar
bitrators, and these two selected
third arbitrator. Three arbitrators
thus chosen constituted a tribunal foI
determining the issues.
Favored by Small Nations.
The foregoing, on broad lines, is
the project which meets with most ia.
vor among the small nations, as they
would be represented both on the leg.
islative and executive branches.
1t is to be noted that such an organ
ization would follow somewhat the
lines of the present peace conference,
as the legislative branch is analogous
to the plenary session of the confer.
ence, while the executive branch is
similar to the council of the great
powers now holding daily sessions.
The revised plan makes several inn
portant changes. The legislative
branch remains the same, with the
great and small nations represented.
The executive branch is modified.
however, SO as to consist chiefly of the
great powers, with two representatives
from each. to which others from the
small powers may be added when in
terests especially affecting them are
at Issue.
Court SuppIants Arbitration.
The third branch is entirely changed.
to eliminate the plan of arbitrators
and substitute an executive council of
the great powers as a tribunal for
judging international issues analogous
to the international supreme council.
Tt is the two latter features which
are regarded by the small powers as
tending to concentrate the executive
and judicial branches in the hands of
the great powers, whereas the small
powers prefer the plan giving them a
status on the executive branch and
arbitration as a means Of judicial de-
termination, instead of a tribunal of
the great powers.
Compromise Sought
The question now before the com.
mission is one largely between the
great and small powers. Several
small powers are understood to be
preparing amendments to the re-
vised plan to give them representa-
tives in all branches Of the organiza.
ton, and it is said the tendency among
the great powers is to give every rea-
sonable consideration to these desires,
while preserving to the major powers
such voice as their larger interests
warrant.
The supreme council agreed the
nT1asfion in tha statement of pran,;o.
yenizelos concerning Greek territorial
interests should be referred to a CON-
mission Of experts for recommends.
tons.