Republican farmer., 1919-09-19
LEAGUE OF VA TTONS COULD GIVE IRISH HOME RULE
 WILSON TELLS LABOR
Ireland's Case Was Not Within Jurisdiction of
 Peace ConfereeS.
II IS
 PEOPLES FORUM

On Board President Wilson's Special, Sept. Setting forth publicly for the first time his interpretation of the League of Nations Covenant as it affects Ireland, President Wilson said in a statement today that the league would constitute a forum before which could be brought all claims for self-de- termination 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 coun- try he asserted. nor would it limit the power. of this country to recog- nize the independence of any people who seek 10 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 coun- cil. IL is understood that within a few days he will reply similarly to the questions put by other labor bod ies regarding Shantung and the rep resentation of the British dominions in the league assembly. Replying di- rectly to a question as to his atti- tude toward If-determination for
 
 was expressed in Article II of the covenant, under which it is declared that any member nation can call the attention of the league to any cir CumstanCe whatever affecting inter- national relations which threatens to disturb international peace Tor the good understanding between ma tions upon which peace depends"
 The Presidents statement detail ing the labor councils questions and his answers follow:
 1---Tnder the covenant does the na- ton obIiEate itself to assist any mem Der of the league in putting down a rebellion of its subjects or conquered peoples?
 Answer: It does not
 2---Under the covenant can this na- ton independently recognize a gov ernment whose people seek to achieve or have achieved their independence from a member of the league?
 Answer: The indeDendent action of the government of tIle United States in a matter of this kind is in no way limited or affected by the covenant of the League of Nations.
 &---Under the covenant are those subject nations or peoples only that are mentioned in the peace treaty en- titled to the right of self-determina- ton or does the league possess the right to accord a similar privilege 70 other subject nations or peOples2
 Answer: It was not possible for the peace conference to act with re- gard to the self- lf-determination of any territories except those which had belonged to the defeated empires. but in the covenant in the League of Ma tions it has set up for the first time in Article II a forum to which all claims of self-determination which are likely to disturb the peace of the world or the good understanding between nations upon which the peace of the world depends can be brought.
 Why was the case of Ireland not heard at the peace conference? and what is your position on the sub Ject Of self-determination for Ire land?
 Answer: The case of Ireland was not heard at the peace conference because the peace conference had no jurisdiction over any question of that sort. which did not affect territories which belonged to the defeated em- pires. My position on the subject of self-deterTination for Ireland is ex- pressed in Article Il of the covenant in which l may say I WIS particu- larly interested because it seemed to be necessary for the peace and free dom of the world that a forum should be created to which all peo- pies could bring any matter which was likely to affect the peace and freedom of the world.