The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-18
Congress Alone Can Send
Troops Abroad-Wilson.
President Denies League Con-
trolls Z. s. Army's Movement.
GREATEST OVATION At FRISCO
President Denies Covenant
Gives Britain More Votes.
Says League VIII Speed RestOr-
alton of Shantung.

San Francisco, Sept. 1S.-Replying
in a statement today to a list of ques-
tions put to him by San Francisco
League of Nations organization, Presi-
dent Wilson declared Great Britain
could not outvote the United States in
the league; that foreign governments
could not, under the covenant, order
American troops abroad; that the
league would have a powerful influ-
ence toward restoration of Shantung
to China; that the United States
would not be obligated by Article 10
to aid Great Britain in suppressing a
revolt in Ireland, and that under Ar
ticle IL there would be created a new
forum for questions of self-determina-
ton.
Most Enthusiastic Welcome.
After one of the most riotous greet
ings he has received, President Wilson
today planned to go to Oakland to
speak in favor of treaty ratification.
All records for the presidents tour
were broken at San Francisco last
night, where a crowd estimated at a.
900 by the police, cheered and kept up
an uproar for more than fifteen min
utes, order being restored with diff
Guilty. Shouts of sit down" featured
part of the ovation. also put them
out" these remarks evidently being
directed at a disorderly element which
sought to prevent the president from
speaking by making a noise. Much
confusion continued thruout his
speech.
Mr.. Wilson's statement containing
the questions and answers follows:
1-Win you state the underlying
consideration which dictated an
awarding of six votes to the British
empire in the assembly, and is it true
that Great Britain will out-vote us in
| the League of Nations and thereby
control the Leagues action?
ANSWER-Thec consideration which
led to assigning six votes to self-gov-
erning portions of the British empire
was that they have in effect in all but
foreign policies, become autonomous
self governing states. their policy in
all but foreign affairs being indepen-
dent of the control of the British gov
ernment and in many respects dis
similar from it. But it is not true that
! the British empire can outvote us in
| the League of Nations and therefore
control the action of the League. be-
cause in every matter except the ad-
/ mission of new members in the
League, no action can be taken with
| out the concurrence of a unanim Gus
lvote of the representatives of the
states which are members of the coun-
Gil, so that in all matters of action the
affirmative vote of the United States is
necessary and equivalent to the united
vote of the representatives of the sew
| eral parts of the British empire. The
united votes of the several parts of
the British empire cannot offset or
| overcome the vote of the United States.
2-Is it true that under the League
Of Nations foreign countries can order
nf IN
eign countries?
| ANSWER-It is not The right of
congress to determine such matters is
in no wise impaired.
3-What effect will the League of
Nations have in either forwarding or
hindering the final restoration of
Shantung to China, what effect will
the League of Nations have in pre-
venting further spoilation of China
and the abrogation of all such special
privileges now enjoyed in China by
! foreign countries?
ANSWER-The League of Nations
will have a very powerful effect in
! forwarding the final restoration of
Shantung to China, and no other in
strumentality or action can be SUBJ
stituted which could bring that result
about. The authority of the League
WILL under Article 10, be constantly
directed toward safeguarding the ter
ritorial integrity and political inde-
pendence of China 1t will. therefore,
absolutely prevent the further spoila-
ton of China, promote the restoration
to China of several privileges now
long enjoyed by foreign countries and
assure China of the completion of the
process by which Shantung will pres
emily be returned to her in full SOW
ereignty. In the past there has been
no tribunal which could be resorted to
for any of these purposes.
As there anything in the League
of Nations covenant or the peace
treaty which directly or indirectly in
any manner imposes on the United
States any obligations. moral or other
wise of the slightest character, tc
support England in any way in case
Of revolt in Ireland?
II ANSWER-There is not The only
/ guarantee contained in the covenant
is against external aggression, and
those who framed the covenant were
scrupulously careful in no way to in
terfere with what they regarded a,
the sacred rights of self determine
| ton.
: 5-What effect, il any. will thu
League of Nations covenant have il
Continued on Pare Two