Evening star., 1919-03-26
ROPEFOR IRELAND
SEEN IN LEAGUE
Some Irish in America Believe
Covenant Will Aid
Cause.
WILSON SPEECH QUOTED
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

WIISUN SF66On QUOIcU
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Leading democrats. most of them
Of Irish descent. have been wonder
ing whether eventually the cause of
Irish home rule or independence is
not going to be injured by the at
tempt to rally Irish elements in this
country against the proposed league
of nations.
Indeed. these democrats have come
to the conclusion that. far from being
a hindrance to the Irish cause, the
league of nations will prove a bless
ing, and that support now instead of
Their line Of reasoning Is something
like this: Opposition to the league is
based by Irish enthusiasts on that
article Of the covenant which would
preserve the territory of members
from external aggression" This has
been interpreted as meaning that the
United States would be compelled to
go to the aid of England in the event
OF rebellion in Ireland. But an up
rising within the British empire would
not be an aggression Of an external
character, but plainly an internal
movement. and the dispatches from
Paris today report discussion of
amendments which would clearly re-
lieve member nations from the obli-
cation to assist in putting down rev.
olutions within the confines Of an
other member state. In other words,
there would be no interference with
the exercise of the rights Of self-de-
termination.
League May Aid Irish Cause.
Then. ask the democratic leaders
here, If the league Of nations cannot
injure the Irish cause, may it not be
a help?
On this point 1t is contended that
the tories in England who have op-
posed home rule or Irish independence
have always insisted that to separate
ireland from Great Britain would be
to expose England to attack and ag-
gression from the west. But the same
article in the covenant which is criti-
cised as being an obstacle to Irish
freedom would be invoked in protec-
ton of England IL she were menaced
from east, west. north or south, for
the league would protect all nations
against external aggression by other
nations. and would make it the busi-
ness of all members to settle such an
international conflict. This article in
the covenant, therefore, is looked upon
AZ Charming the tories in Ensland
who have been using the foregoing
argument against Irish autonomy. :,
On the other hand, If rebellion
occurred In Ireland and were SUCCEED
inKssA npblic opinion like that of
AMeffcA would oppose interference in
seif-determination. 1t would be Amer
1ca's right in the executive council to
oppose any proposition looking to-
ward armed Interference. Further
more. il the rebellion were drifting
along without decisive results, would
cern OF the league of nations itself?
Presidents Speech Cited.
President Wilson lodged the an
swer to that question chiefly because
he did not want to be put in the posi-
tion of answering hypothetical ques-
tions on delicate matter at a
moment when he was setting sail for
Europe to resume parleys with the
men who are framing the league Of
udliOuS lSSeI1. let enc answer 10 that
question is to be found in the coven-
ant and in the speech made by Mr..
Wilson at the Metropolitan Opera
House on March 4, prior to his return
to Europe. Democrats here are point
ing significantly to Mr.. Wilson's
declaration that night as follows:
st is one of the agreements of this
covenant that it is the friendly right
OF every nation a member Of the
league to call attention to anything
that 1t thinks will disturb the peace
of the world. no matter where that
thing is occurring. There is no sub
ject that may touch the peace Of the
world which is exempt from intuiry
or discussion"
Irish Issue During War.
Even before the existence of q
definite league Of nations the vital
importance of the Irish problem to
unity in the United States appeared
during the war and was tactfully re-
ferred to by President Wilson in his
discussions with Foreign Secretary
country in May, 1917.
What had to be touched upon lightly
during the war would become now a
proper subject for the league to con-
slider, for the simple reason that any
can be brought before
the council or body of delegates OF
the league. It is to be the court of
all peoples, a forum for the public
opinion of the world. Whether the
league would or would not interfere
would depend upon the case as pre-
sented and the circumstances as they
arose. Therefore. Irish friends of
President Wilson ask, Without a
league, where could Ireland appeal
Although the Irish leaders differ
as to the extent Of their demands,
certainly the minimum today is home
rule along Canadian lines Thus
Ireland, II she accepted only a mini
mum program, would be entitled to
in the league of nations
Just as Canada and South Africa and
And membership in the
league Of nations would give Ireland
q voice in the most important tribu-
nal in the world and would enable
her to rally to her side elements in
all countries which are prevented to-
day by diplomatic barriers from COM
ing to her aid. Thus do those Amer
leans of Irish descent~who are high
in the councils Of the democratic
party and who are earnestly sup
porting the league Of nations come
to the conclusion that Ireland stands
wants in a world with a league of
nations than a world without q
league Of nations. .
Copyright, 1919. by N; 7. Evening Post, Incl
FRENCH TO SEEK PEACE