Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-05-01
LEAGUE ADOPTED
BY PEACE BODY
Revised Covenant Of League Of
Nations Approved by ENJOYS
in Paris.
WILSON EXPLAINS CHANGES
Number of Republican Senators sisni-
fy That Recognition Of Monroe
Doctrine and Other Changes
Remove Objection to Pact.

Paris, April 29.-The revised scoye-
nant of the league of nations was
adopted by the peace conference.
President Wilson, addressing the con-
terence, explained the amendments to
The league of nations covenant. He
did not read the entire revised text.
Viscount Chinda, representing Japan,
was scheduled to speak in favor of
the racial equality amendment, asking
the conference to adopt it, although
the league commission refused to in
clude 1t In the new constitution.
1t is announced in French circles
that the peace conference would be
ready to present the peace treaty to
the Germans Friday or Saturday of
this week. The drafting committee
worked throughout Sunday, while the
members of the council Of three were
taking respite from conference work.
The latest reports are that secret
plenary session will be held Thursday
or Friday for communication of the
terms to the allied and associated
powers
League Draft Revised.
Washington, April 2S.-The text of
the league of nations covenant, as re-
vised by the peace conference COM
mission, of which President Wilson is
chairman, was issued by the state de-
partment. The covenant will be taken
up for final disposition at a afplenary
session Of the peace conference.
With the publication of the revised
draft, members of the United States
senate will have before them the plan
for the preservation of world peace
which they will be called on to ratify.
A number of Republican senator's
among the thirty-nine who signed the
round robin" Of opposition to the
covenant in its original form, have
signified that the recognizing of the
Monroe doctrine, exemption of domes-
tic questions, like immigration, from
league Jurisdiction, preservation Of
sovereignty, and other amendments
they demanded. remove their objec-
tiOns.
The complete text of the covenant
discloses that it is contemplated the
league shall consist at first of forty.
five nations and dominions, with Ger
many and seven other countries ex-
cluded for the time being, but eligible
to membership when they have full
filled obligations acceptable to the ori-
ginal members of the league.
The Chief Amendments.
j. The validity of the Monroe doc
trine is specially recognized.
q 1t is provided that member of
the league, after two years notice of
its intention, may withdraw from the
league, provide that all of its interna-
tional obligations and all Of its obli-
cations under the covenant shall have
been fulfilled at the time of its with.
drawal.
8. To meet the criticism that there
would be an inequality Of voting pow
er, Great Britain with her dominions
having eight votes to one for the
United States, it is provided in the
new covenant that decisions at any
meeting of the assembly or the coun.
Gil shall require the agreement of all
lAic lIlciuUcFS Ol tlle ledSue FepreSGnC-
ed at the meeting"
4. No member of the league can be
made a mandatory for the government
and administration Of any colony or
territory unless it be willing to accept
such trust. This puts 1t squarely up
to congress as to whether or not the
United States shall undertake the
trust Of governing any foreign people.
Aside from changes in phraseology,
the outstanding amendments bearing
on the league principles are as fol-
lows:
"The right Is conferred upon the
leagues executive council to increase
its membership by unanimous vote,
thus opening the way for the addition
of Germany and Russia to the council
when it is deemed advisable.
Amendments to the covenant can
be may by agreement of the executive
council and majority of the assem-
bly,, instead of requiring the unani-
nous vote of the assembly.
provision is made for the right Of
a member to withdraw from the league
on two years notice, thus guarantee
ing individual sovereignty"