Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-03-26

tion In advance OF the submission OF
the amendment to the commission.
other changes in the covenant made
at last nights meeting of the league
commission, and which are regarded
by the American delegates of great
Importance, were calculated TO meet
suggestions and objections emanating
from America. They include a sub
stitute for the phrase states mem
beers Of the league" in Article X and
elsewhere In the covenant, thus meet
ing objections that the latter term
created membership.
Provision also was made for the re-
vision Of the covenant itself from time
to time, thus meeting the objection
that II Ia infexible. The admission of
other states was provided for. but 1t
was agreed that any change In num-
bers must be with due regard to the
proportion between the representation
OF the large and small powers on the
executive coNncil as defined in the
articles creating the council.
Language 10 Modified.
Many changes In the text of the
covenant were made with the special
to which attention had
been called by speakers in the United
States. Some doubt is entertained In
some quarters as to the wisdom Of
amendments affirming absolute con-
troll Of countries over their internal af-
fairs. as possibly prohibiting the ex-
tension of outside aid to put down
revolutions and 1t Is possible this Ian
guage may be further modified.
One amen dment to be submitted
adopts a provision that powers which
are not specifically delegated to the
league are reserved to individual MEM
bers. 80
Nothing has yet been done to af-
firmatively state the right of nation
with regard to its withdrawal from
the league.
A French amendment providing for
the maintenance of general military
staff has been proposed, but this far
it has not been accepted.
Nearly Agreed on indemnities.
The session yesterday afternoon was
held at the French war office. Late in
the afternoon Marshal Foch and Major
Thwaites, representing the British
staff in. the place Of General Wilson,
were called in. The premiers and the
president considered advices just re-
ceived by the military situation in
Russia.
In the absence of official COM
muniques. the public has learned little
about the meetings OF the premiers
and the president, but there is rea-
son to believe that reparation for war
damages was the first serious problem
they sought to solve. All the data
On the British. French and American
positions on this question was before
them at the first meeting Tuesday. It
is understood that the data showed
agreement on virtually all features ex-
cept the total amount. which the ex-
perts were unable to agree upon. Even
the textual draft Of the reparation ar
ticles OF the peace treaty are ready
with a blank space waiting for the in
sertion OF the amount.
After settling the reparationss ques-
tion, the premiers and the president
will consider the remaining main. OBJ
Franco German, frontier
A1ong the Rhine. with these questions
determined, the American delegation
believes that a prompt conclusion Of
the peace treaty can be accomplished.
Such an expectation as concluding
the treaty by the end Of the present
week Is doubted. owing to the extern
sive amount Of drafting work after
the main questions are settled in prin-
ciple. The drafters are steadily at
work while the supercouncil is in ses-
sion and each step OF progress is fol-
lowed Immediately, by completion of
the articles OF the treaty.
The same process 10 being carried on
with the draft Of the covenant Of the
league of nations. In addition to be-
Ing amended it will be rewritten so
as to combine clearness with the dig
nifty Of notable state documents.
Among several amendments to the
eague of nations covenant that Presi-
lent Wilson is disposed to accept the
Matin says, is one suggested by ex-
President Taft.