THE PEACE TREATY

The treaty of peace was drawn by the allied and associated powers at Versailles, and was there delivered to the German Government’s delegation on May 5, 1919—­the fourth anniversary of the Lusitania sinking.

It stipulates in the preamble that war will have ceased when all powers have signed and the treaty shall have come into force by ratification of the signatures.

It names as party of the one part the United States, The British Empire, France, Italy, Japan, described as the five allied and associated powers, and Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Equador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, the Hedjaz, Honduras, Liberia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Roumania, Serbia, Siam, Czecho-Slovakia and Uruguay; and on the other side Germany.

The treaty contains agreements in substance as follows: 

Section 1.  The League of Nations—­The league of nations may question Germany at any time for a violation of the neutralized zone east of the Rhine as a threat against the world’s peace.  It will work out the mandatory system to be applied to the former German colonies and act as a final court in the Belgian-German frontier and in disputes as to the Kiel canal, and decide certain economic and financial problems.

Membership—­The members of the league will be the signatories of the covenant, and other states invited to accede.  A state may withdraw upon giving two years’ notice, if it has fulfilled all its international obligations.

Section 2.  A permanent secretariat will be established at Geneva.  The league will meet at stated intervals.  Each state will have one vote and not more than three representatives.

The council will consist of representatives of the five great allied powers, with representatives of four members selected by the assembly from time to time.  It will meet at least once a year.  Voting will be by states.  Each state will have one vote and not more than one representative.

The council will formulate plans for a reduction of armaments for consideration and adoption.  These plans will be revised every ten years.

Preventing War—­Upon any war, or threat of war, the council will meet to consider what common action shall be taken.  Members are pledged to submit matters of dispute to arbitration or inquiry and not to resort to war until three months after the award.  If a member fails to carry out the award, the council will propose the necessary measures.  The council will establish a permanent court of international justice to determine international disputes or to give advisory opinions.  If agreement cannot be secured, the members reserve the right to take such action as may be necessary for the maintenance of right and justice.  Members resorting to war in disregard of the covenant will immediately be debarred from all intercourse with other members.  The council will in such cases consider what military or naval action can be taken by the league collectively.