Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-09-17
SAYS LEAGUE COVENANT WILL
FORM FORUM BEFORE WHICH
CLAIM CAN Be DETERMINED
IreIand'S Case Not Heard at Ver-
saiIIeS Because II Did Not
Come Under Jurisdiction Of
the Peace Conference.
81 The Aasootated pres..

~ IHe Associated PTe&&
On Board President wilson's Spec
ial, Sept. 17.-Setting forth publicly
for the first time his Interpretation
of the League of Nations covenant as
1t affects ireland, President Wilson
said in a statement today that the
League would constitute forum be-
fore which could be brought all claims
for self-determination, which are like
ly to affect the peace of the world.
The covenant would not bind the
United States to assist in putting down
| rebellions in any foreign country he
asserted nor would 1t limit the pow
er pf this country to recognize the in
dependence Of any peoples who seek
to secure freedom"
He said Ireland's case was not
heard at Versailles, because it did not
come within the Jurisdiction of the
peace conference. The Presidents
statement was in reply to series Of
questions sent to him by the San
Francisco Labor Council. 1t Is under-
stood that within few days he will
reply similarly to the questions put
by other labor bodies regarding Sham
tung, and the representation of the
British dominions in the League AS
sembly.
Replying directly to q question, as
to his attitude toward determines
ton for Ireland, Mr.. Wilson said his
position was expressed in Article
eleven of the Covenant under which
1t is declared that any member can
call the attention of the League to
any circumstance whatever, effecting
international relations which threat.
ems to disturb international peace OF
the good understanding between ma
tions upon which peace depends.
The Presidents statement, detail-
ing the labor council questions and hia
answers follows:
1. Under the covenant does
the nation obligate itself to as
sist any member Of the league In
putting down q rebellion of its
subjects or conquered people?
Alt does not.
2. Under the covenant can
this nation independently recog-
nize government whose people
seek to achieve or have achieved
their independence from MEM
ber of the league?
A.-The independent action OF
the government of the United
States in n matter of this kind Is
in no way limited or affected by
the covenant of the League of
Nations.
8. Under the covenant are
those subjects, nations or people
only that are mentioned III the
peace treaty entitled to the right
of self-determination or does the
league possess the right to ac-
cord similar privilege to other
subjects, nations or peoples?
Alt was not possible for the
peace conference TO act with res
gard to the self-determination OF
any territory except those which
had belonged to the defeated en-
pires, but In the covenant In the
League of Nations 1t has set up
for the first time In article XXI a.
forum to which all claims of self
determination, which are likely
to disturb the peace of the world
or the good understanding be-
tween nations upon which the
peace of the world depends, can
be brought.
4. Why was the case of Ire
land not heard at the peace con-
ference and what is your position
on the subject of self-determina-
ton for Ireland?
A.-The case of Ireland was
not heard at the peace confer
ence because the peace confer
ence had no jurisdiction over any
questions OF that sort, which did
not affect territories which be-
Ionged to the defeated empires.
NV position on the subject OF
self determination for Ireland Is
expressed in Article III. of tho
covenant, In which i may say
was particularly interested, be-
cause it seemed to me necessary
for the peace and freedom of the
world that forum should be
created to which all peoples
could bring any matter whfcn
was likely TO affect the peace and
freedom of the world.