Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-09-26
WILSON ANSWERS QUESTIONS.

and frankly a series of questions
touching the proposed League OF
Nations put to him by the local
league organization.
Question Twill you state the
underlying consideration which
dictated an awarding Of six votes
TO the British Empire in the AS
sembly, and is it true that Great
Britain will outvOte us in the
League of Nations and thereby
control the Leagues action?
Answers = The consideration
which led to assigning six votes
to self governing portions of the
British Empire was that they
policies, become autonomous
cics in all but foreign affairs
being independent of the control
of the British government and in
dependent of the control of the
British Government and in many
respects dissimilar from it.
But it is not true that the Brit
ish Empire can outvote us in the
League of Nations and therefore
COutlOl tllC dSNloll vi tlC l-Sd6uSS
because in every matter except
the League, no action can be
taken without the concurrence of
a unanimous vote of the repre-
sentatives of the states which are
members of the Council, so that
i'm all matters of action the af-
lirmative vote of the United States
is necessary and equivalent to
the united vote of the reprcsen-
tativS of the several parts of the
British Empire. The united votes
of the several parts of the Brit
iSh Empire cannot offset or over
come the vote of the United
States.
Question 2-IS it true that und-
cr The League of Nations foreign
countries can order the sending
of American troops TO foreign
countries?
AnSWers-It is not. The right
of Congress to determine such
matters is in no wise impaired.
Question 3:-What effect will
the League Of Nations have in
either forwarding or hindering
The final restoration of ShantunS
TO China? What effect will the
League of Nations have in pre-
venting further spoliation of
China and the abrogation of all
such special privileges now en-
ioycd in China by foreign coun-
tries?
AnSUer:-The League of Ma
lions will have very powerful
effect in forwarding the final res
toration of Shantung to China
and no other inStrumentality or
action can be substituted which
could bring that result about.
The authority of the League will,
under Article X, be constantly
directed toward safeguarding the
territorial integrity and political
independence of China.
1t will, therefore, absolutely
prevent the further spoliation of
China, promote the restoration in
China of the several privileges
now long enjoyed by foreign
countries, and assure China of
the completion of the process by
which Shantung will presently be
returned to- her full sovereignty.
In the past there has been no tri-
bunal which could be reSorted to
for any of these purposes.
Question 4:-IS there anything
IN the League of Nations coven-
ant or the peace treaty which
directly or indirectly in any man
ncr imposes on the United States
any obligations. moral or other
wise. of the slightest character
TO support Enaland i'm any way
IN case of revolt in ireland?
AnSUerS-Therc is not. The
only guarantee contained in the
covenant is against external ag-
SrcSsiOn, and those who framed
the covenant were scrupulously
careful in no way to interfere
with what they Iegard as the
Sccrcd rights of self-dctermina-
ton.
Question 5:-What effect. if
any. will the League of Nations
covenant have in either hinder
,ng, or furthering the cause of
irish freedom?
An$Uers-H was not possible
Tor the Peace Conference TO act
with regard TO the sclf-dctcrmina-
,,on of any territories except
nose which had belonged to the
ucteated empires, but in the COW
esnant of the League of Nations ii
au9 Sel UP 1OT tne HIST time IN
article ri. forum before which
az claims of self-determination
which are likely to disturb the
peace OF the world or the good
understanding between nations
upon, which the peace Of the
world depends can be brought.
There is nothing in the covenant
~ the League Of Nations which OBJ
,'8ateS any nation to assist mem
o'r OF the League in putting down
q, rebellion Of its own subjects.
= mere is nothing in the covenant
u'a' prevents the recognition of the
'I,o,,ycrnment of people who have
'InicVcd or seek TO achieve their
independence from the rule of q
icmbcr of the League. The Peace