New-York tribune., 1919-09-21
Carson Assails
Wilson's Stand
On Irish Issue
Ulster Leader Questions the
Right of League Members
Even to Consider Inter-
fcring in Erin's Case

LONDON, Sept. 90 (By The Associ-
ated Press President Wilson's atti-
tudc regarding the self determination
of Ireland has attracted the attention
of sif Edward Carson, the Ulster
leadel{ VINO in statement to-day de-
clared:
Gas one anxious to sec the league Of
nations founded to protect the world
against the horrors of war, l do not
desire to raise difficulties or antici-
pate decisions on questions which must
arise in the gradual development of a
sound system of jurisprudence. under
the covenant. Therefore, ] am reluc-
tant to crlticisc tire Presidents an
swer to questions put to him by the
San Francisco Labor Council with ref
erence to ireland.
Indeed, find it difficult to under
stand from the answer given what
state Of facts with relation to Ireland
the President contemplated which en-
titles any of the contracting parties to
raise this question under section II of
the covenant dealing with peace safe
guards.
81 would like, however, in the inter
ests-~ of the success Of the league. to
likely lead to it's failure than inter
ference by any of the great contract
ing parties with the evolution Of. gov
eminent III the realms of the others
THE United Kingdom, as a whole, is
one of the contracting parties, 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 other, and it
is difficult to foresce, therefore, what
circumstances can arise which would
relation to any particular unit"
"If President Wilson means to sug
gest that, because there is large
population of Irish descent or Irish
origin in the United States who
sympathize with the claims of the Irish
secessionists, this fact threatens to
disturb international peace or the
good understanding between the
United States and the United King
dom, and that therefore the case arises
under section II of the covenant, |
must with great respect enter q pro-
test.
There would be no end TO inter
ference founded on such q 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 naturalized citizens of all coun-
tries could raise similar pleas and be-
come formidable more or less, in
accordance with their numbers and
especially at election times.
at is not necessary to point out how
disastrous the results would be. But
there are too many obvious criticisms
to be made by any one who desires tc
make the league of nations a failure
from the start. | do not desire to
range myself with such critics. be-
lievc the league only possible if real
good will be shown by it in it's in
fancy and if wise men, anxious for it's
success, are chosen at the start to ad-
minister and evolve it's constitutions"
In reply to the question as to his
attitude toward self determination for
Ireland, President Wilson said that his
! position was expressed in Article IL
of the covenant, under which it is de-
clared that any member nation can
call the attention Of the league to any
circumstance whatever affecting inter
national relations which threatens to
disturb international peace or the good
understanding between nations.
In his written answer, the President
said:
"My position on the subject of self
determination for Ireland is expressed
IN Article II of the covenant, in which
may say I was particularly interest
ed, because it seemed to me necessary
for the peace and freedom of the world
that forum should be created to which
all peoples could bring any matter
which was likely to affect the peace
and freedom of the world"