Evening journal., 1919-03-20
EXCEEDINGLY VAGUE.

n RESsED by Senator Borah for a statement as 10
what the President said at the famous White House
dinner regarding the status Of Ireland under the pro-
posed league Of nations. Mr.. Hitchcock Democratic
chairman Of the Foreign Relations Committee OF the
Senate. spoke as follows:
The President stated that the league had nothing 20
do with domestic and internal questions lie did stale
that; he stated il several times during the evehng"
The chief criticism that has been leveed at the Pres-
dent in his dscourses upon the league is that no has
dealt too freely in generates and has utterly failed 10
give specific instances, likely 10 arise in the future OF
the practical application Of the leagues operations
His speeches have been lled with sounspirlng and
mouth-nlllng antiquities, but definite examples Of how
The league will actually prevent and settle nerna-
tiona difficulties have been entirely lacking
The only attempt of Mr. Wilson to cite a hypothetical
during the reading Of the constitution before
the members Of the conference and strange say
that dealt exclusively with a domestic situation
which Mr.. Hitchcock says the President declared would
not come within the scope Of the league at all.
suppose there IS in the possession Of a-partcuar
power suggested Mr. Wilson, "a piece territory or
other substantial thing in dispute to which IL is
claimed that IL Is not entitled suppose that the matter
is submitted TO the executive council for recommenda-
ton to the settlement OF the dispute. diplomacy hav-
ing failed and suppose that the decision is favor Of
the party which claims the subject matter of dispute as
against the party which has the subject matter in dis
pute."
Mr.. Wilson then shows how the executive council
will proceed to enforce It's Judgment.
Now, here is case cohlured up by the President
where the league unhestatngy accepts Jurisdiction over
territory already in the POSSESSION Of nation title to
which is disputed.
Tn question naturally arises: "When is a domestic
question not domestic question:"
Tho matter Of Irish independence would seem to be
on all fours with Mr.. Wilson's hypothetical problem
yet the President is quoted declaring that it IS a
domestic affair and will not be considered by the league
Where is the line Of demarkation to be drawn?
Is dispute between the Philippines or Porto Rico
and the United States a domestic quarrel?
Would The between Cuba and Spain have been
considered domestic and the United States prevented
from Interference?
Why should not the uprisings that have resulted in
the formation OF independent States in Russia and Austria
be characterized domestic and official recognition be
refused Of such countries Lhuana Ukrania Czecho-
Sovaka, etc.
In short not all territorial disputes domestic from
the Viewpoint Of the possessor?
But the chief Of war heretofore has been the
failure OF rival nations to reach decision mutual
Boundaries and unless such questions TO within
the puryew Of the league it viii assuredly fail Of its
purpose.
Il is evident that Mr.. Wilson's declaration for the
Of domestic questions is but soothing
syrup intended for those nations who have seen in the
league menace to their sovereignty over rebellous
subjects.