The chief concern of President Wilson, and the controlling reason for his trip abroad to attend the Peace Conference, was the formation of a League of Nations to insure perpetual peace.  After months of deliberation the covenant of the League of Nations was prepared and made public.  The text of this covenant follows.

COVENANT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

[Sidenote:  The purposes of the League.]

PREAMBLE—­In order to promote international cooperation and to secure international peace and security by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war, by the prescription of open, just, and honorable relations between nations, by the firm establishment of the understandings of international law as the actual rule of conduct among Governments, and by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another, the Powers signatory to this covenant adopt this Constitution of the League of Nations: 

[Sidenote:  A body of delegates.]

ARTICLE I.—­The action of the high contracting parties under the terms of this covenant shall be effected through the instrumentality of a meeting of a body of delegates representing the high contracting parties, of meetings at more frequent intervals of an Executive Council, and of a permanent international secretariat to be established at the seat of the League.

[Sidenote:  Each high contracting party to have a vote.]

ART.  II.—­Meetings of the body of delegates shall be held at stated intervals and from time to time, as occasion may require, for the purpose of dealing with matters within the sphere of action of the League.  Meetings of the body of delegates shall be held at the seat of the league, or at such other places as may be found convenient, and shall consist of representatives of the high contracting parties.  Each of the high contracting parties shall have one vote, but may have not more than three representatives.

[Sidenote:  Nations to be represented in the Executive Council.]

ART.  III.—­The Executive Council shall consist of representatives of the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan, together with representatives of four other States, members of the League.  The selection of these four States shall be made by the body of delegates on such principles and in such manner as they think fit.  Pending the appointment of these representatives of the other States, representatives of ——­ shall be members of the Executive Council.

[Sidenote:  Meetings at least once a year.]

Meetings of the Council shall be held from time to time as occasion may require, and at least once a year, at whatever place may be decided on, or, failing any such decision, at the seat of the League, and any matter within the sphere of action of the League or affecting the peace of the world may be dealt with at such meetings.