The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-09-17
IRELAND CASE WAS
NOT IN THE CONFER
ENCE JURISDICTION
President Referred Ques-
TONERS as to His Attitude
Regarding Ireland to Ar
ticle IL of the Covenant,
Declaring Right to Call
Attention of the League to
Situations.

On Board President Wilson's Special,
Sept. l7.--Setting forth publicly for the
first time his Interpretation of the league
of nations covenant as it affects Ire
land, President Wilson said in state
ment to-day that the league would con
stitute a forum before which could be
brought all claims for self-determina-
tion which are likely to affect the peace
of the world.
"The covenant would not bind the
United States to assist in putting down
rebellion in any foreign country" he as
serted, NOR would it limit the power of
this country to recognize the independ
ence Of any people who seek to secure
freedom"
He said Irelands case was not heard
at Versailles because it did not come
within the jurisdiction of the peace con-
ference.
The presidents statement was in re-
ply to series of questions sent to him
by the San Francisco labor council 1t
is understood that within few days
he will reply similarly to the questions
put by other labor bodies regarding
Shantung and the representation OF the
British dominions in the league assem-
bly,. Replying directly to question as
TO his attitude toward self determine
dion for Ireland, Mr. Wilson said his
position was expressed in article Ii of
she covenant under which it is declared
THAT any member nation can call the at
aention OF the league to any cHeum-
stance whatever affecting international
relations which threatens TO disturb in
ternational peace "or the good under
standing between nations upon which
peace depends"
The presidents statement detailing
ahe labor councils questions and his an
swers follow:
Under the covenant does the ma
tion obligate itself to assist any mem
ber of the league in putting down a re-
bellion of its subjects or conquered peo-
qles?
Answer: It does not
2--Under the covenant can this nation
independently recognize a government
whose people seek to achieve or have
achieved their independence from mem
Der 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 sub.
ject nations or peoples only that are
mentioned in the peace treaty entitled
to the right of elf.determination, OF
does the league possess the right to ac-
cord similar privilege to other subject
nations or peoplesY
Answer; 1t was not possible for the
peace conference to act with regard tc
the self determination of any territories
except those which had belonged to the
defeated empires, but in the covenant
in the league of nations it has set uE
for the first time in article IL forum
ITO which all claims Of lf-determinatior
which are likely~to disturb the peace oi
the world or the good understanding be
tween nations upon which the peace 81
the world depends can be brought.
4-iWhy was the case of Ireland no
heard at the peace conference? AnC
VIM - your oPlhloh oh CHe supJecb o.
self-determination for Ireland?
Answer: The case of Ireland was no
heard ait The peace conference becans,
the peace conference had no jurisdiction
over any question of that sort, whicl
did not affect territories which belonged
TO the defeated empires My position OF
the subject of self-determination for Ire
land is expressed in article ii Of tn,
covenant, in which | may say was par
ticularly interested, because 1t seemed /,
me necessary for the peace and freedom
of the world that forum should be ere
ated to which all peoples could bring any
matter which was likely to affect tn,
peace and freedom of the world.