The sun., 1919-09-18
COVENANT NO BAR
TO IRISH FREEDOM
Wilson Asserts u. S. Hands
Would Not BE Tied.

ON BOARD PRESIDENT WILSON'S SrE-
crAL, Sept 17.-Setting forth publicly
for the first time his Interpretation OF
the League of Nations covenant as u
Affects Ireland President Wilson said
In a statement to-day that the league
would constitute forum before which
could be brought all claims for self
determination 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
asserted, nor would It limit the power
Of this country 70 recognise the inde-
pendence Of any people who seek to
secure freedom"
He said Ireland's case was not heard
at Versailles because It did not como
within the Jurisdiction of the Peace Con-
ference. The Presidents statement was
in reply TO a series Of questions sent
to him by the San Francisco Labor
Council. Replying directly to ques-
ton as to his attitude toward self
determination for ireland Mr.. Wilson
said his position was expressed In Ar
ticie SI. of the covenant, under which
Il is declared that any member nation
can call the attention OF the league to
any circumstance whatever affecting
international relations which threatens
good understanding between nations
upon which peace depends"
The Presidnt's statement detailing
the labor councils questions and his
answers follow:
1-Under the covenant, does the nation
oblisate itself to assist any member of
the league In putting down a rebellion
Of It's subjects or conquered peoples?
Answer-It does not
2-Under tho covenant. can this nation
Independently recognize Government
whose people seek to achieve or have
achieved their independence from mem-
ber Of the league7
Answer-The Independent action Of
the Government of the United States IN
q matter Of this kind IL in no way limited
or affected by the covenant Of the League
Of Nations.
3-Under the covenant, are those SUBJ
iect nations or people only that are men-
toned In the peace treaty entitled to
the right or seif-determination. or does
the league possess the right to accord
q similar privilege to other subject ma
lions or peoples?
Answer-It was not possible for the
Peace Conference to act with regard to
the self-determination Of any territories
except those which had belonged to the
defeated empires, but In the covenant In
the League of Nations 1t has set up for
the first time In Article X1. q forum TO
which all claims OF self-determination
which are likely to disturb the peace
Of the world or the good understanding
between nations upon which the peace
Of the world depends can be brought.
why was the case Of Ireland not
heard at the Peace Conference. and what
is your position on the subject OF self
deterrnin tfou for Ireland?
Answer-The case of Ireland was not
heard at the Peace Conference because
the Peace Conference had no Jurisdiction
over any Question Of that sort which
did not affect territories which belonged
to the defeated empires. Ny position
on the subject OF self-determination for
ireland 10 expressed in Article XXI. oi
the covenant, In which / may say
was particularly interested, because II
seemed to me necessary for the peace
and freedom Of the world that q forum
should be created to which all peoples
could bring any matter which was likely
to AFFECT the peace and freedom OF the
world.