The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-27
Headers IN
j. s. NOW THINK
ATTITUDE WRONG
Believe League Of Nations
Should Be Supported as
Measure of Sighted
Wisdom by Ireland.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
The News Sclmltar's Special Core.
anAnAAnN

The News s%clmltar's Special Core.
spondent.
WASHINGTON, March 2~7.-Leading
Democrats, most of them of Irish de-
scent, have been wondering whether
eventually the cause of Irish home rule
or independence Is not going to be In
jured by the attempt to rally Irish
elements In this country against the
proposed league Of nations. Indeed,
these Democrats have come to the con-
clusion that, far from being a hindrance
to the Irish cause, the league of ma
lions will prove a blessing and that
support now instead of opposition Is
a r-sighted wisdom.
Their line OF reasoning is something
like this:
Opposition to the league Is based by
Irish enthusiasts on that article of
the covenant which would preserve the
territory OF members from external
aggression" This has been interpreted
as meaning that the United States
would be compelled to go to the aid
Of England In the event Of a rebellion
IN Ireland. But an uprising within the
British empire would not be an agrees
sion OF an external character, but plain
ly an Internal movement, and the dis
patches from Paris report discussion Of
an amendment which would clearly re-
lieve member nations from tho obliga-
ton to assist IN putting down revolu-
lions within the confines OF another
member state. In other words, there
Will be no interference with the exeT-
else OF the right of elf-determinatlon,
Ask If It Will Aid.
Then, ask the Democratic leaders
here, If the league of nations can not
injure the Irish cause, may II not be
O. help2 On this point 1t Is oontended
that Tory opponents in England OF
home rule or Irish independence have
always Insisted that to separate Ireland
from Great Britain would be to expose
England to attack and aggression from
the west. But the same article in
the covenant which Is criticized gs be-
Ing an obstacle to Irish freedom would
be invoked In protection Of England II
she were menaced from east, west,
north or south, for the league would
protect all nations against external ag-
gression by other nations and would
make II the business OF all members
TO settle such an international conflict.
This article In the covenant, therefore,
Is looked upon as disarming the Tories
In England who have been using the
foregoing argument against Irish au-
tonomy.
On the other hand, II a rebellion oc-
CURED in Ireland and was succeeding,
n public opinion like that Of America
would oppose Interference in any eff
fort to crush those striving for self
determination, II would be Americas
right In the executive council TO OPP
pose any proposition looking toward
armed interference.
Furthermore, II the rebellion were
drifting. along without decisive results,
would II not become sooner or later
the concern Of the league in the nation
itself?
President Wilson lodged the answer
to that question chiefly because he did
not want TO be put In the position
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delicate matter at a moment when he
was setting sail for Europe to resume
parleys with the men who are framing
the league Of nations itself. Yet the
answer to that question is TO be found
In the coventn itself and in the speech
opera house On March 4 prior to his
return to Europe. Democrats here are
pointing significantly to Mr., Wilson's
declaration that night an follows:
ut is one OF tho agreements Of this
covenant that 1t is the friendly right
OF every nation a member Of the league
to. call attention to anything that 1t
thinks will disturb the peace OF the
world, no matter where that thing is
, occurring, There is no subject that
which Is exempt from inquiry or dis
cussion."
Appeared in War.
Even before the existence Of a def
mite league OF nations, the vital i'm
p%ortance OF the Irish problem to unity
In the United States appeared during
the war and was tactfuliy referred 10
by President Wilson in his discussions
with Foreign Secretary Balfour when
the latter visited this country In May,
1917, What had to be touched upon
lightly during the war would become
now a proper subject for the league
to conSider for the simple reason that
any disturbances can be brought before
tho council or body of delegates OF
the league, II Is to be the court OF
ali peoples, a forum for the public
opinion OF the world, Whether the
lea que would or would not Interfere
would depend upon the case as present.
ed and the circumstances as they arose.
Therefore. Irish friends OF President
could lrelan appeal successfully ?"
Although the Irish leaders differ as
to tho extent OF their demands. GER
tainly the minimum today is home rule
along Canadian lines, Thus Ireland, II
she accepted only y minimum pro-
gram, would be entitled to membership
in the league OF nations, Just as Can
ada and South Africa and Australia.
And membership In tho league Of ma
tons would give Ireland a voice in
the most important tribunal In the
world and would enable her 10 rally
TO her side elements in all countries
which are prevented today by diplo-
matte barriers from coming 10 her aid,
Thus those Americans Of Irish de-
scent who are high In the councils OF
the Democratic party and who are
earnestly supporting the league OF ma
tions come TO the conclusion that Ire
land stands n better chance Of attain
ing what she wants in. a world with
a league of nations than IN a world
without n league of nations.
Copyright, 1919, by the New York Eve
ming Post, Inc,)