Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-17
Ma kes Public His Interpreta-
ton of Covenant as Affect
ing Emerald Isle.
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS
OF PACIFIC LABOR BODY
Not Heard at Versailles, as It Did
Not Come Within Conferences
Jurisdiction,

By the Associated Press
ON BOARD PRESIDENT WILSON'S
SPECIAL, September Setting
forth publicly for the first time his
Interpretation of the league of ma
tons covenant as it affects ireland,
President Wilson said in a statement
today that the league would consti-
tute forum before which could be
brought all claims for self determi-,
peace of the world.
The covenant would not bind the
United States to assist in putting
down rebellion in any foreign coun.
try" he asserted, nor would it limit
the power of this country to recog-
nize the independence of any people
who seek to secure freedom"
He said Ireland's case was not
heard at Versailles because 1t did not
come within the jurisdiction of the
peace conference.
Replies to Labor Council
The Presidents statement was in
reply to a series of questions sent to
him by the San Francisco Labor
Council. 1t is understood that within
a faw days he will reply similarly to
questions put by other labor bodies
regarding Shantung and the repre-
sentation of the British dominions IN
the league assembly.
Replying directly to a question a.
to his attitude toward self-determina-
ton for Ireland. Mr.. Wilson said his
position was expressed in article xI
of the covenant, under which 1t -
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"
Presidents Statement.
The Presidents statement detailing
the labor councils questions and his
answers follow:
/. Under the covenant does the ma
ton obligate itself to assist any
member of the league in putting down
a rebellion of its subjects or con-
Quered peoples? ~
Answer. 1t does not.
2. Under the covenant, can this
nation independently recognize a gov-
eminent whose people seek to achieves.
or nave achieved, knefr 1nQepenQeuC0
from a member of the league?
Answer. The independent action
. of the government Of the United
States in a matter of this kind is
in no way limited or affected by
the covenant Of the league Of ma
lions.
8. Under the covenant are those
subject nations or peoples only that
are mentioned in the peace treaty en-
fif1ad tn the right nf self q ryv1i n
ton. or does the league possess the
right to accord similar privilege to
other subject nations or peoples?
Answer. 1t was not possible for
the peace conference to act with -
regard to the self-determinatior of
any territories except those which,
had belonged to the defeated en-
pires, but in the covenant Of the
league of nations it has set up for -.
the first time. in article XII, a forums
to which all claims of self-determi-
nation which are likely to disturb
understanding between nations
upon which the peace of the world
depends can be brought.
Why Was Ireland Not Hearde
4. Why was the case of Ireland not
heard at the peace conference? And
what is your position on the subject
Of self for Ireland?
Answer. The case of Ireland was
not heard at the peace conference
because the peace conference had
not jurisdiction over any question
of that sort. which did not affect
territories which belonged to the
defeated empires.
My position on the subject of
self-determination for Ireland is
expressed in article XI OF the cove
nant in which I may say I was
particularly interested. because it
seemed to me necessary for the j
peace and freedom of the world
that forum should be created to
which peoples could bring any mat
ter which was likely to affect the
peace and freedom OF the world.
Calif0rnianS to Greet
President Today for Five
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