Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-09-18
WILSON Y { | ANSWERS | \
MORE |! ! QUESTIONS |
ON PEACE TERMS
Says Great Britain Cannot
Outvote the United
.ss =, States.
Right Of Congress S to Send
Troops Abroad is Not
Impaired.

san Francisco, Sept. 1s.-Replying
IN a statement today to list of uues-
Iions put to him by a San Francisco
LEAGUE Of Nations organization, Pres
! tdent Wilson declared Great Britain
couid not outvote the United States
! n .he league; that foreign govern
ments could not under the covenant
order American troops abroad; that
the league would have a powerful in
| IIuence toward restoration of Shan
tung to China; that the United States
! would not be obligated by article
ten to aid Great Britain in suppress
ing revolt in ireland, and that un-
oer article eleven there would be Gre
ated q new forum for questions of
self-determination.
Mr.. Wilson'S statement containing
the questions and answers follows:
l. Will you state the underlying
consideration which dictated an
/, awarding Of six votes to the British
empire in the assembly, and is it true
mat Great Britain will. outvote us in
the League of Nations and thereby
control the leagues action?
Answer: The consid Grafton which
led to assigning six votes to self
governing portions Of the British en-
pire was that they have In effect. in
all but foreign policies. become au-
tonomous self-governing states, their
policy in all but foreign affairs being
Independent of the control of the
British government and in many re-
spects dissimilar 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, because in every matter
except the admission of new mem-
bers in the league, no action can be
taken. without the concurrence of an
unanimous vote of the representa-
,tivee Of the states which are men,
8 bers OF the council, so that in all mat
ters of action, the Affirmative vote of
the United States is necessary. and
( equivalent to the united vote Of the
representatives Of the several parts
Of the British empire The united
votes of the several parts Of British
empire cannot Offset or overcome the
vote Of the United States.
Congress Holds Rights.
s @ Is. it true that under the
League of Nations foreign countries
can order the sending of American
/ troops to foreign countries?
IS. Answer: 1t Is not. The right Of
sEongress to determine such matters
issin, no wise impaired. 5
.. What, effect will the League OF
Nations have in either forwarding OF
s,nass.nS .l.s f!ss sss. sss s
the [ League, 8 &c .s aNations 4 haxein 3. 81 pre. re-
ssssh.s spotiat ii ions q sshisik and Ind R fhe
atibh Of all such special priv
;%Aeees now enjoyed in China by for.
eign countries? 4 3
sAnswer: The League OF Nations
will haYe very powerful effect in
forwarding the final restoration OF
6hantung to China, and nofspther in
stfumentaltty or action can be sub
stftuted which could bring that re-
suit about The authority of the
league will, under article ten, be con-
stantly directed toward safeguarding
the territorial integrity and political
= independence of China It will, there
'ore. absolutely prevent the further
toration to China OF the several priv
ileEes now long enjoyed by foreign
countries. and assure China OF the
com pletion of the process by which
Shantung will presently be returned
TO her In full sovereignty. In the past
there has been no tribunal which
could be resorted to for any Of these
purposes.
4. Is 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 9th.
erwise. OF the slightest character to
support England IN any way IN case
Of revolt in Ireland? -
Answer There h 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 az
the sacred rights Of self-determina-
tion.,
s. what effect. If any, will the
League Of Nations covenant have in
either hindering or furthering the
cause Of Irish freedom?
Answer. 1t was not possible for
the peace conference to/act with re-
gard to the self-determinatioh Of any
territories except those which had be.
longed to the defeated empires. but
In the covenant Of the League Of Ma
tions 1t has set up for the first time
in article eleven a forum to which
all claims Of self-determination
which are likely to disturb the peace
Of the world or the good understand
ing between nations upon which the
4 peace Of the world depends. can be
/ brought.
Steps Taken TO ss.s