The sun., 1919-09-21
HANDS OFF, CARSON
AGAIN TELLS U. S.
Wilson's Attitude on Self-De-
termination Of Ireland
Brings Comment.
NO MEDDLING WANTED
Leagues Failure Seen by u
ster Leader if Interior
ence Is Allowed.

IoNpoN, Sept. 20.--President VIII
sons attitude regarding the self-deter-
mination of Ireland has attracted the at
tention of Sir Edward Carson. the Ulster
leader, who. in a statement to-day, de-
clared
"As one anxious to see the League of
Nations founded. to protect the world
against the horrors OF war, / do not
desirs TO make difficulties or anticipate
decisions on questions which must arise
IN the gradual development OF n sound
system OF jurisprudence under the
covenant. Therefore / am reluctant to
crlticise the Presidents answer to ques-
tons put to him by the San Francisco
Labor Council with reference to Ireland.
Indeed 1 find il difficult TO under
stand from the answer given what state
Of facts with relation to Ireland the
President contemplated, which entities
any of The contracting parties to raise
this question under section II of the
covenant dealing with peace safeguards.
II would like, however. in the inter-
ests OF the success of tic league to point
out that nothing would more likely lead
to it's failure than interference by any
of the great contracting parties with the
evolution of Government in the realms
Of the others. The United Kingdom as
whole is one of the contracting par
ties, and in respect to constitutional
rights and Government all the units of
the United Kingdom stand on an equal
basis. none being subordinate to the
ether, and II is difficult to foresee there
fore what circumstances can arise which
would justify Interference by the league
in relation to any particular unit.
IF President Wilson means to sug-
gest that, because there is a large popu-
lation of Irish descent or Irish origin
in the United States who sSmpathize
with the claims of the Irish secession
lists, this fact threatens to disturb inter-
national peace or the good understand
ing between the United States and the
United Kingdom, and that therefore the
case arises under section II of the
covenant, must, with great respect, en-
ter a protest.
There would be no end to interfer.
ence founded on such a plea, which
really means that citizens who have
adopted new country carry with them
the right to interfere IN the affairs Of
the country of their origin. All natural.
lied citizens of all countries could raise
similar plea and become formidable
more or less in accordance to the mum.
bers, and especially at election times
1T is pot necessary to point out how
disastrous the results would be. Blu,
there are too many obvious criticisms Il
be made by any one who desires to make
the League of Nations a failure from the
start do not desire to range myself
with such critics. l believe the league
only possible If real good win be showr
by 1t in its infancy and II wise men
anxious for its success, are chosen at tn,
start to administer and evolve its con
stitution."
In reply to the question as to his at
titude toward self-determination for Ire
land, President Wilson said his position
was expressed in Article XII. OF the GOV.
enant, under which IT is declared that
any member nation can call the atten-
ton of the league of any circumstances
whatever affecting international rela.
tons which threaten to disturb interna-
tional peace or the good understanding
between nations.
In his written answer the President
said:
"My position on the subject of self.
determination for Ireland rs expressed
in Article XII. of the covenant, in which
may say was particularly interested
because 1t seemed to me necessary fol
the peace and freedom of the world thai
a forum should be created to which al
peoples could bring any matter which
was likely to affect the peace and free
dom of the world"