The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-17
WILSON SAYS
LEAGUE TO BE
FORUM FOR
OPPRESSED
President Issues Statement in
Answer to Questions-Ire-
land Not in Province Of
Treaty, He Explains.
DOES NOT Bind U. S.
(By Associated Press)

ON BOARD PRESIDENT WILSON'S
SPECIAL. Sept. 17.-Setting forth pub
ncIy for the first time his interpreta-
ton OF the League of Nations covenant
as 1t affects Ireland, President Wilson
SAID in statement today that the
league would constitute forums before
which could be brought all claims for
self determination which are likely to
anec the peace of the world.
The covenant would not bind the
United States to assist in putting
down rebellion in any foreign country
he asserted, nor would it limit the
power of this country to recognize the
rights of any people who seek free
dom"
He said Irelands case was not heard
at Versailles because it did not come
| within the jurisdiction of the peace
conference.
Replied to Questions.
The Presidents statement was in re-
| ply to series of questions sent to
him by the San Francisco Labor coun-
Gil. 1t is understood that within a
| few days he will reply similarly to
questions put by other labor bodies re-
garding Shantung and the representa-
ton of the British dominions in the
| league assembly.
Replying directly to question as TO
his attitude toward self-deermination
for Ireland, Mr.. Wilson said his posi-
tion was expressed in article eleven
| OF the covenant, under which it is
declared that any member nation can
call the attention OF the league to any
| circumstances whatever affecting in
| ternational relations which threatens
to disturb international peace or the
good understanding between nations
upon which peace depends.
Detailed Statement.
The Presidents statement detail
! ing the labor councils questions and
his answers follow:
| l. Under the covenant does the ma
ton obligate itself to assist any mem
ber of the league in putting down a
rebellion Of its subjects or conquered
peoples?
! Answer-It does not.
2. Under the covenant can this ma
ton Independently recognize a gov
ernment whose people seek to achieve
or have achieved. their independence
from member Of the League?
Answer-The inde pendent action Of
the government of the United States
| in a matter Of this kind is in no way
limited affected by the covenant
| of the league of nations.
| 3. Under the covenant are those
subject nations or peoples only that
are mentioned in the peace treaty en-
titled to the right of self-determina-
ton, or does the league possess the
right to accord similar privilege to
other subject nations or peoples?
HAS Made Forum"
Answer-It was not possible for the
peace conference to act with regard
| to the self-dete criminal ton of any terri
tories except those which had be-
longed to the defeated empires, but
in the covenant of the league Of ma
tions it has set up for the first time.
in article II 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 na tions upon which the peace
OF the world depends can be brought.
4-Why was the case Of Ireland not
heard at the peace conference, and
what is your position on the subject
of selfdetermination for Ireland?
Answer-The case of Ireland was
not heard at the peace conference be-
cause the peace conference had no
Jurisdiction over any question Of that
sort which did not affect territories
which belonged to the defeated en-
pires. My position on the subject OF
self determination for Ireland is ex-
pressed in article IL of the covenant
in which 1 may say 1 was particularly
, interested, because 1t seemed to me
necessary for the peace and freedom
Of the world that a forum should be
created to which all peoples could
. bring any matter which was likely 10
affect the peace and freedom of the
world.