New-York tribune., 1919-09-18
China Also May Seek Re-
lief by Appeal to the
Forum, He Advises San
Francisco Labor Body
Powers to Compel
Standings Return
President Almost HowIed
Down at the Start of
His Address to $4,000

L l.
dent Wilson in prepared statement is
sued here to-day in luncheon ad-
dress to the Associated Women's Clubs
declared that both Ireland and China
might seek relief under the league Of
nations as set up in the peace treaty.
The Presidents declaration regard
ing Ireland was contained in reply to
series of questions submitted TO him
by the San Francisco Labor Council.
1t is understood that within a few days
he will reply similarly to the ques-
tions put by other labor bodies regard
ing Shantung and the representation Of
the British dominions in the league as
sembly.
Almost Howled Down
In his night address in the Civic
Auditorium the President addressed
an uproarious crowd There was much
disorder in the hall, and the President
spoke with apparent difficulty against
hum of talk in the distant galleries.
Once he stopped to ask for closer at
tention, but the crowd did not quiet
down. When he and Mrs. Wilson en-
tered the Auditorium the crowd stood
up and shouted itself hoarse When the
cheering had been in progress for more
than thirteen minutes, "The Star
Spangled Banner" was played or a
pipe organ, but it failed to quiet the
crowd.
Mayor Rolph at last introduced Ches-
ter Rowell, editor of "The Fresno Re-
publican" and Republican National
Committeeman in 1916, who presented
the President in single sentence
while the crowd kept up it's shouting
Unable to Silence Crowd
When Mr.. Wilson took the platform
and held up his hand for silence, yells
continued for more than five minutes
in the gallery, while some in the audi
ence shouted, "Put them OUT" and
others hissed. There was still much
noise when he began speaking and it
continued while the address proceeded.
1t was one Of the largest halls in
which the Pres dent has spoken, seat
ing $4,000. 1t was packed, many
standing.
The President declared that in his
trip across the continent he had be-
come convinced that the treaty issue
would be decided rightly by the people
and mot by any private purpose of
their own"
He repeated his declaration that the
league of nations was not the work of
the Versailles conference, but grew
out of years of thought by men who
did not devote any portion of their
consideration to politics. Some of the
most constructive minds of both par
ties, he asserted, had been devoted to
the project for generation.
Gives Formal Answers
The statement detailing the labor
councils questions aid the Presidents
answers follows:
1.-Under the covenan, does the
nation obligate itself to assist any
member of the league in putting
down a rebellion Of its subjects or
conquered peoples?
Answer: 1t does not
o.-Under the covenan. can this
nation independently recognize
achieve or have achieved their in
dependence from member Of the
league?
Answer: The independent action
OF the government Of the United
States in matter of this kind is
in no way limited or affected by the
covenant of the league of nations.
3.-under the covenant, are those
subject nations or people only that
are mentioned IN the peace treaty
entitled to the righr of self-0eter-
minaton, or does tho league pos
sess the right to accord similar
privilege to other subject nations CT
peoples?
Answer: 1t was not possible for
the peace conference to act with re-
gard to the self determination Of any
territories except those which had
belonged to the defeated empires lDt
in the covenant of the league Of
nations it has set up Tor the RS
time, in Article XII, forum to which
all claims of self f-determinatio.
which are likely to disturb the peac
of the world or the good under
standing between nations upon
which the peace of the world de-
pends can be brought.
Why Ireland Wasn't Heard
4.-Why was the case of Ireland
not heard at the pence conferencec
And what is your position on the
subject of self-determination for
Ireland?
Answer: The case of Ireland was
not heard at the peace conference