The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-18
PRESIDENT EXPLAINS
IRISH PROBL EN- S
RELATION TO LEAGUE
SAYS COVENANT DOES NOT BIND
L. s. TO AID IN PUTTING
DOWN REBELLION

On Board President Wilson's Special
Train in California, Sept 17.-Setting
forth publicly for the first time his in
depreciation of the league of nations
covenant as it affects Ireland, President
Wilson said in a statement today 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 to recognize 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 come
within the jurisdiction of the peace
conference.
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 few days he
will reply similarly to questions put by
other labor bodies regarding Shantung
and the representation of the British
6ominions i'm the league assembly. Re
plying directly to a question as to his
attitude toward self-determination for
Ireland Mr.. Wilson said his position
was expressed in Article II of the GOV
enant, under which it is declared that
any member nation can call the atten-
ton of the league to any circumstance
whatever affecting international rela-
tions that threaten to disturb the inter
national peace or good understanding
between nations.
The presidents statement detailing
the labor councils questions and his an
swers follows:
Under the covenant does the ma
ton obligate itself to assist any mem
Der of the league in putting down a re
bellion Of its subjects or conquered peo-
pies?
Answer-It does not.
2-Under the covenant can this ma
ton independently recognize a govern
ment whose p, pie seek to achieve or
have achieved, their independence from
Il member of the league?
Answer-The independent action of
the government of the United States in
u matter of this kind IS in no way linn
tied or affected by the covenant of
tho League of Nations.
J-Under the covenant are those sub
4ct nations or peoples only that are
mentioned i'm the peace treaty entitled
TO the right of self-determination, or does
the league possess the right to accord
a similar privilege to other subject ma
tions or peoples?
AnsWer-It was not possible for the
peace conference to act with regard to
the self.determination of any terrific
ries except those which had belonged
to the defeated empires, but in the Gov
enant of the League of Nations it has
set up for the first time, in Article II, a
forum to which all claims of selfdeter-
minaton which are likely to disturb the
peace of the world or the good under
standing between nations upon which
the peace of the world depends can be
brought.
4-Why was the case of Ireland not
heard at the peace conference and what
is your position on the subject of self
determination for Ireland?
Answer-The case of Ireland was not
heard at the peace conference because
the peace conference had no jurisdic
ton over any question of that sort
which did not affect territories which
belonged to the defeated empire. Arti
Gle IL of the covenant, in which I may
say I was particularly interested, be
cause it seemed to me necessary for
the peace and freedom of the world
that a forum should be created, tc
which all peoples could bring any mat
ter which was likely to affect the peace
and freedom of the world.